The new Mercedes-Benz compact car: the A-Class Saloon Detailed

The new Mercedes-Benz compact car: the A-Class Saloon. The family of compact cars from Mercedes-Benz continues to grow: The A-Class Saloon will be launched at the end of 2018. The four-door saloon has a wheelbase of 2,729 millimetres and the proportions of a dynamic and at the same time compact saloon with short overhangs at the front and rear. It is at the top of its segment with regard to rear headroom. In addition, the saloon model has the familiar A-Class virtues. These include modern, efficient engines, the high level of safety thanks to state-of-the-art driving assistance systems with S-Class functions, and the intuitively operated and learning MBUX – Mercedes-Benz User Experience – infotainment system.

The following engines are available at the start of the A-Class Saloon:
A 200 with 7G-DCT dual-clutch (120 kW/163 hp, 250 Nm)
A 180 d with 7G-DCT dual-clutch (85 kW/116 hp, 260 Nm)
A 200: Kraftstoffverbrauch kombiniert: 5,4–5,2 l/100 km; CO2-Emissionen kombiniert: 124–119 g/km.1
A 180 d: Kraftstoffverbrauch kombiniert: 4,3–4,0 l/100 km; CO2-Emissionen kombiniert: 113–107 g/km.1

The entry-level model is already extensively equipped. Standard features include the MBUX – Mercedes-Benz User Experience – infotainment system with touchscreen, and driving assistance systems of the latest generation such as Active Brake Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist. In addition, the A-Class Saloon can be customised with the design and equipment lines Style, Progressive and AMG Line, the Night Package as well as further optional equipment.

The KEYLESS-GO Convenience Package with HANDS-FREE ACCESS will be one of the available options, for example. The HANDS-FREE ACCESS convenience function enables hands-free and fully automatic opening of the boot lid with a kicking motion of the foot under the rear bumper.

Interior design: The interior of the new A-Class is completely redefined with its modern, avant-garde look. Mercedes-Benz has taken a completely new approach, revolutionising the compact class from the inside with a new feeling of spaciousness. The unique interior architecture is shaped in particular by the avant-garde design of the dashboard: the designers completely dispensed with a cowl above the cockpit. As a result, the wing-shaped main body of the dashboard extends from one front door to the other with no visual discontinuity. The Widescreen display (optional) is completely free-standing. The air vents in a sporty turbine look are another highlight.

The new A-Class is the first Mercedes-Benz model to feature the completely new MBUX – Mercedes-Benz User Experience – multimedia system, which also ushers in a new era for Mercedes me connectivity at the same time. As a result, it also comes standard in the A-Class Saloon. A unique feature of this system is its ability to learn thanks to artificial intelligence. MBUX is customisable and adapts to the user.

The A-Class also uses map and navigation data for assistance functions. For example, Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC as part of the Driving Assistance Package is able to provide route-based support to the driver in numerous situations, and to predictively and conveniently adjust the speed, e.g. when approaching bends, junctions or roundabouts.

A-Class is able to drive semi-autonomously in certain situations. To do this, it keeps a close eye on the traffic situation: improved camera and radar systems allow it to see up to 500 metres ahead.
The world record is currently held by the new A-Class Saloon with a Cd value of 0.22 and a drag of less than 0.49 m2. With a Cd value from 0.25, the new A-Class hatchback, too, surpasses its already excellent predecessor (Cd value: from 0.26/frontal area: 2.20 m2). With a Cd value of 0.22 and a frontal area of 2.19 m2, the new A-Class Saloon has the lowest drag of any production vehicle worldwide and thereby defends the original world record of the CLA Coupé.

More efficient fuel consumption thanks to aerodynamics. The good aerodynamic properties make a key contribution to low fuel consumption under everyday conditions. The A-Class Saloon was optimised down to the smallest detail by a multiplicity of computation loops, CAE simulations (computer-aided engineering) and measurements in the wind tunnel in Sindelfingen. In addition to the outstanding exterior shape, there are many small measures that led to the new record: a sophisticated reduction of the frontal area despite significantly improved interior comfort dimensions, an extensive sealing concept (such as the sealing of the headlamp surroundings) as well as almost complete panelling of the underbody, which includes the engine bay, main floorpan, parts of the rear axle and the diffuser.

The front and rear wheel spoilers were optimised specifically to route the air around the wheels as efficiently as possible. The rims and tyres also underwent aerodynamic fine-tuning. Depending on the market, an optional two-part shutter system behind the radiator grille is available, which minimises the airflow through the engine bay.