In production
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With more than 500,000 units produced within three and a half years,rnthe Mercedes-Benz A-Class is among the bestsellers in the Mercedes-Benzrnpassenger car range. Now the latest generation of this compact car isrnshowing itself to be more youthful, attractive and environmentallyrncompatible than ever before. This is ensured by a completely revisedrndesign, high-grade appointments and new technical developments whichrnfurther improve safety, comfort and economy. A convenient ECOrnstart-stop function which reduces urban petrol consumption of thesernBlueEFFICIENCY vehicles by up to nine percent is now available for thernhigh-volume models A 150 and A 170, for example. For the three-door Arn160 CDI Mercedes-Benz has developed an additional BlueEFFICIENCYrnpackage which lowers the fuel consumption of the Coupé by more thanrneight percent, to 4.5 litres per 100 kilometres. Independent expertsrnhave acknowledged these great advances in the environmental field withrnan internationally valid environmental certificate, which thernMercedes-Benz A-Class is the world's first compact car to achieve.
Sincernits world premiere in 1997, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class has made a namernfor itself as a trendsetter and innovative leader in its class.rnOutstanding safety, great day-to-day flexibility and reliability havernalways been among the strengths of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, which hasrnso far captured the enthusiasm of about 1.7 million customers with itsrndistinctive and versatile vehicle concept.
Lines: ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE with an even more pronounced styling emphasis
Designrnfeatures at the front end provide more distinctions between the designrnand equipment lines of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. While the louvres inrnthe radiator grille of the basic version are painted in dark-grey, theyrnare respectively in metallic atlas grey and high-sheen iridium silverrnin the ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE lines, and are also visually upgraded byrnadditional chrome strips. Discreet chrome trim strips further reinforcernthis impression. In the AVANTGARDE line, the front bumper also has arndistinctive design which emphasises the arrow-shape of the front endrnand suggests greater agility.
When viewed from the side therndifferent lines in the Mercedes-Benz A-Class are distinguished by wheelrndesigns. While the basic model is equipped with 15-inch wheels andrnseven-spoke wheel embellishers as standard, ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE arernfitted with individually designed 16-inch light-alloy wheels. The new,rnlarger exterior mirror housings and door handles are now painted in thernvehicle colour for all model variants. The previous side rubbing stripsrnhave been replaced by discreet chrome trim strips, which providernadditional visual highlights in the ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE models.
Thernrear end of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class is dominated by a modified bumperrnand newly designed rear light clusters which extend well into thernvehicle flanks. Both these features make the body appear wider andrntherefore more imposing. In the ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE models the rearrnbumper is embellished with additional, reflector-look trim strips andrnchrome inserts. The new, ergonomically improved tailgate handle isrnchrome-plated in both lines, as is the oval exhaust tailpipe.
Interior: upgraded with larger stowage compartments and new fabrics
Mercedesrndesigners paid particular attention to enhanced value when redesigningrnthe interior, choosing new, high-grade upholstery fabrics and doorrnlinings. In the ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE lines the seats are upholsteredrnin an attractive combination of ARTICO man-made leather and fabric,rnwhich is available in three colours. In addition new decorative trim ofrnsmoke-grey, diagonally brushed aluminium enhances the interior of thernAVANTGARDE line, while the dignified aura of the ELEGANCE models isrnheightened by wood trim. All variants of the Mercedes-Benz A-Classrnshare a larger stowage compartment in the centre console and a newlyrndesigned cupholder between the front seats.
The luxury seatrnpackage with seat cushion angle adjustment and lumbar support, seatrnheight adjustment for the driver's seat, a front armrest and a parcelrnnet in the front passenger footwell is standard equipment for ELEGANCErnand AVANTGARDE models.
Fuel economy: the A 160 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY consumes 4.5 litres
Withrnfuel consumption figures between 4.9 and 8.1 litres per 100 kilometres,rnthe new-generation A-Class is a model of fuel economy. Thanks torndetailed improvements, the fuel consumption of the state-of-the-artrndirect-injection diesel engines has been reduced by more than eightrnpercent or 0.5 litres per 100 kilometres compared to the precedingrnseries. From autumn 2008 Mercedes-Benz will introduce a standardrnBlueEFFICIENCY package for the three-door A 160 CDI with a manualrntransmission, with further improvements in engine efficiency,rnaerodynamics, rolling resistance, energy management and weight. The sumrnof these measures achieves a fuel saving of 0.4 litres, which meansrnthat the A 160 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY has an NEDC consumption of just 4.5rnlitres per 100 kilometres. As a result the CO2 emissions of the 60rnkW/82 hp Coupé are 119 grams per kilometre.
The BlueEFFICIENCYrnpackage also includes an aerodynamically optimised radiator grille.rnThis has a closed-off interior face to reduce the airflow to thernengine, though the CDI engine is still cooled effectively at all times.rnThe suspension has also been lowered by ten millimetres to reduce therndrag coefficient even further.
Mercedes engineers have exploitedrnan additional fuel-saving potential by controlling the onboard powerrnsupply of the A 160 CDIBlueEFFICIENCY according to demand, andrntherefore on an energy-saving basis. A sensor constantly monitors thernbattery so that the output of the generator can be reduced for certainrnperiods when the battery is well charged. This reduces the workrnrequired of the engine, which therefore consumes less fuel. To rechargernthe battery with optimum energy efficiency, the generator managementrnsystem utilises the engine's overrun phases to produce electricalrnenergy.
Start-stop function: the engine switches off automatically when idling
Inrnthe case of the petrol engines, Mercedes engineers have achieved NEDCrnfuel savings of up to 0.4 litres per 100 kilometres with a newlyrndeveloped ECO start-stop function. From autumn 2008 this system will bernavailable for the high-volume models A 150 and A 170 on request. Itrnautomatically switches off the engine when the driver shifts the manualrntransmission to neutral at a low speed while applying the brakes. Ifrnthe conditions for engine switch-off are met, the driver is informed byrna special display in the instrument cluster.
Within fractions ofrna second, and almost noiselessly, the engine is restarted as soon asrnthe clutch is operated or the brake released. This rapid andrncomfortable engine start is a major advantage of the ECO start-stoprnfunction versus other systems of this kind. To this end Mercedes-Benzrnuses a starter generator which is linked to the crankshaft via therndrive belt. As a result the engine starts much more rapidly and quietlyrnthan with the conventional starter. During a journey the starterrngenerator feeds electrical power to the onboard network of thernMercedes-Benz A-Class.
Economy: nine percent lower fuel consumption in city traffic
Withrnthe ECO start-stop function the NEDC fuel consumption is reduced by arnfurther 6.5 percent or so. The A 150 BlueEFFICIENCY (70 kW/95 hp)rnabsolves a measured test journey with a fuel consumption of 5.8 litresrnper 100 kilometres, which corresponds to 139 grams of carbon dioxidernper kilometre.
Even greater advantages can be achieved in normalrnroad traffic, as the results of extensive practical trials havernconfirmed: Mercedes employees tested the system in 175 test cars,rncovering a total of around 1.2 million kilometres. Roughly half of thisrnenormous mileage was covered in city traffic, where the new ECOrnstart-stop function enabled fuel savings of up to nine percent to bernachieved.
Ecology: the Mercedes-Benz A-Class is the first compact car with an environmental certificate
Practicalrntrials such as this are of immense importance to Mercedes-Benz when itrncomes to evaluating new technologies. The environmental compatibilityrnof vehicles is not only assessed on the basis of standardised emissionsrnand fuel consumption measurement, but also taking into account thernentire vehicle lifecycle - from production and many years of operationrnto eventual recycling and disposal. An analysis of more than 40,000rnindividual processes provides an overall picture and enables therndevelopment work to be objectively assessed.
This form ofrnenvironmental audit is the basis of the environmental certificaternaccording to the stringent international ISO standard 14062 (Design ForrnEnvironment), which Mercedes-Benz is the world's only automobile brandrnto have received. This certificate also applies to the new-generationrnA-Class, confirming the considerable advances made in the field ofrnenvironmental protection. An analysis over a vehicle mileage of 150,000rnkilometres shows that CO2 emissions are around seven percent below thernfigure for the preceding model (W168) of 2004, for example. Nitrogenrnoxide emissions have been reduced by no less than 13 percent.
Evenrnbetter results are achieved by the A 150 BlueEFFICIENCY with the ECOrnstart-stop function. Thanks to this new technology, carbon dioxidernemissions over the entire lifecycle are reduced by a further fivernpercent, which means that the environmental audit shows a remarkablernreduction in CO2 emissions by more than twelve percent compared to thernpreceding model.
Aspects other than favourable fuel consumptionrnand low exhaust emissions are also important for the environmentalrncertificate. For example the recycling concept of a vehicle: thernMercedes-Benz A-Class already meets the EU regulation coming into forcernfrom 2015, which prescribes a recycling rate of 95 percent. Plasticrncomponents with a total weight of 30.8 kilograms can be produced fromrnhigh-grade recyclates - twice the figure achieved for the precedingrnmodel.
Safety: flashing brake lights warn following traffic
Thernadaptive brake light introduces technology from the luxury class intornthe compact segment, which therefore benefits from a further accidentrnprevention system as a standard feature. Under emergency braking from arnspeed exceeding 50 km/h, the brake lights flash rapidly to warnrnfollowing traffic, enabling drivers to respond quicker and prevent arncollision.
Flashing brake lights are the result of extensivernpractical research covering the braking behaviour of drivers. Mercedesrnengineers found that the braking responses of drivers are on averagern0.2 seconds faster in emergency braking situations if a flashing redrnwarning is given in place of conventional brake lights. The stoppingrndistance can be reduced by around 4.40 metres from a speed of 80 km/h,rnand even by around 5.50 metres from a speed of 100 km/h. If the A‑Classrnis brought to a rapid stop from a speed exceeding 70 km/h, the hazardrnwarning system is switched on in addition to the flashing brake lights.
thernMercedes-Benz A-Class sets standards in this market segment wherernoccupant protection is concerned, with two-stage front airbags, beltrntensioners in the front and for the outer rear seats, belt forcernlimiters, active front head restraints and head/thorax sidebags.rnMercedes-Benz has now added to this extensive safety technology withrncrash-responsive emergency lighting for the interior. This is switchedrnon automatically following an accident of a defined severity, providingrnthe occupants with better orientation and facilitating the work of thernemergency services.
Parking assist: ultrasound and electric steering for easier parking
Whenrnfinding and reversing into a parking space, drivers of thernMercedes-Benz A-Class will in future be aided by an active parkingrnassist feature which is available on request for all model variants.rnUsing side-mounted ultrasonic sensors, this system identifies suitablernparking spaces on both sides of the road in passing, then informs therndriver by means of a display. The sensors are active up to a speed ofrn35 km/h, and monitor the area to the left and right of thernMercedes-Benz A-Class. They measure the length and depth of possiblernparking spaces, indicating that the search is in progress with a " P "rnin the instrument cluster.
Once a suitable parking space has beenrnfound, an arrow appears in the display to inform the driver on whichrnside of the road the parking space is located. If he engages reverserngear, acknowledges the display message and accelerates, active parkingrnassist takes over the steering and automatically manoeuvres the carrninto the parking space. The driver only needs to accelerate and operaternthe brakes; the ultrasonic sensors of the PARKTRONIC system assist himrnin this by keeping him informed about the distance to the vehicle inrnfront of and behind the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
Active parkingrnassist uses a total of ten ultrasonic sensors in the front and rearrnbumpers, as well as an electronic control unit which processes thernsensor signals and calculates the best possible entry path into thernparking space. This information is fed to the electromechanical powerrnsteering, whose electric motor performs the necessary steeringrnmovements of its own accord. The parking space only needs to be 1.30rnmetres longer than the Mercedes-Benz A-Class for this automatic parkingrnprocedure to take place - an indication of the great precision of thisrntechnology. Thanks to its very compact dimensions, a parking space withrna length of just 5.18 metres or so is sufficient; there is currently nornother car able to park automatically in such a small space.
Mercedesrnengineers have also added a new function to a well-proven supportrnsystem: the Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) of the Mercedes-BenzrnA-Class now has an automatic hill-holder function which prevents therncar from rolling backwards when the driver changes from the brake pedalrnto the accelerator when moving off on an uphill gradient. In thesernsituations ESP® maintains the brake pressure for a short time, so thatrnthe driver can move off smoothly.
Audio: new units offer Bluetooth, a colour display and Europe-wide navigation
Likernall the new 2008 Mercedes models, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class isrnavailable with further improved information, communication, navigationrnand entertainment systems - in other words infotainment. There is arnchoice of four optional head units:
Audio 5, Audio 20, Audio 50rnAPS and COMAND APS. From Audio 20 these incorporate a radio with twinrntuner, colour display, a Bluetooth interface for a mobile phone, arntelephone keypad, a CD-player, automatic volume adjustment and arnconnection for external audio units in the glove compartment. Audio 50rnAPS is also equipped with a Europe-wide DVD navigation system and a DVDrndrive, while the top-of-the-range COMAND APS features HDD navigation, arnmusic register, a slot for SD memory cards and voice control. ThernLINGUATRONIC system operates the telephone, audio and navigation systemrnby convenient whole-word commands. The driver need no longer spell outrnhis wishes, but simply needs to say what he wants when entering arndestination, selecting a radio station or accessing an entry in therntelephone directory.
Interface: the "iPod" can be operated via the keys on the steering wheel
Morernscope for mobile musical enjoyment is provided by a newly developed,rninteractive media interface, which is able to connect an MP3-player,rnUSBstick or other external audio unit with the infotainment system ofrnthe car. This means that external audio units can be convenientlyrnoperated using the keys on the multifunction steering wheel, while therntitles of music tracks are shown in the instrument cluster and on therncolour display in the centre console. While the portable audio unit isrnconnected to the car via the media interface, its battery is charged.rnConnection of an iPod or similar requires a suitable cable which isrnavailable from the Mercedes-Benz accessories range.
Thernaward-winning "Logic 7®"surround sound system, which celebrated itsrnworld premiere in the S-Class, is also available for the Mercedes-BenzrnA-Class. The system has an output of 450 Watts and features twelvernloudspeakers (Coupé: ten).
Mercedes-Benz A-Class W169
Thernsecond generation A-Class, the W169, was officially presented atrnMercedes' Stuttgart factory on June 28, 2004 with availability in earlyrnSeptember.
Driving assistance
The car is designed according to Mercedes-Benz concept of 'Touch And Feel' (TAF).
Thernmulti-function steering wheel places controls for the radio, telephone,rnand other systems conveniently within reach of the thumbs of therndriver. Power steering (standard feature) aids control of thernautomobile, with its behaviour varying according to the vehicle's speed.
ThernMercedes COMAND APS is a navigation system which provides directionsrnvia SMS. The radio unit also provides DVD and telephone functionality,rnwith various versions available (standard Audio 20 radio/single CD,rnAudio 50 APS or COMAND APS).
The Parktronic system provides audio and visual signals to indicate how far the car is from an obstacle.
ThernA-class optionally includes a "Light & Sight" package whichrnincludes bi-xenon HID headlamps with gas-discharge bulbs; corneringrnlights (main-beam headlamps at road junctions and tight corners);rn"Headlamp Assist, which automatically turns on the lights when needed;rnand a rain sensor that adjusts wiper speed depending on rainfallrnintensity.
As a standard feature, when entering a tunnel or anrnunderground garage the car goes into "tunnel mode", where all windowsrnand the panoramic sliding sunroof are closed.
Thernstandard temperature control system has separate temperature settingsrnfor driver and front passenger sides, and includes a "Heater BoosterrnSystem" that can flood the interior of the car with hot air.
Thernoptional Themotronic system maintains and regulates the temperature inrnaccordance with a set of sensors that measure temperature, sunlight,rnhumidity and pollutant levels in the ambient air.
Safety
Triggered by the "moose test" failure, a number of improvements were made in the W169 model.
Therncar is constructed with high-strength steel alloys with bonded joints.rnIt has a large number of airbags including optional rear side airbagsrn(for side-impacts in the backseats), optional side-curtain airbags, andrnstandard head and thorax-protection side airbags. The front airbags arernadaptive with two-stage gas generators operating according to thernseverity of accident.
The force exerted by the seat belt systemrnduring a collision adapts dynamically depending upon the collisionrncharacteristics. The 'active' head restraints (standard for driver andrnfront passenger) give enhanced protection from neck injury, especiallyrnduring rear collisions.
Passenger and cargo space
Therncargo capacity of the W169 was increased by 15 percent compared withrnthe W168. The seats can be moved and configured in various ways:
+rnEASY-ENTRY: Front seats slides forwards with the backrest foldedrnforwards to afford the rear seat passengers more room for getting inrnand out. (standard on three-door)
+ EASY-VARIO: Both rear-seatrncushion sections are folded forward, while the luggage compartmentrnfloor can be set to one of two different heights. (optional forrnthree-door)
+ EASY-VARIO-PLUS: Both rear-seat cushion and the frontrnpassenger seat are folded forward. Increases load capacity to as muchrnas 1995 litres. (optional for five-door)
Engine and drive system
Sevenrntypes of motors are available: four petrol (gasoline) (A150, A170,rnA200, A200Turbo) and three diesel (160CDI, 180CDI, 200CDI), all beingrnfour-cylinder and having either 5 or 6 gears. A continuously variablerntransmission system called "Autotronic Constantly VariablernTransmission" (CVT) is an optional feature.
The petrol A200 Turbo provides 193 hp and 280 Nm of torque (rotational force); the diesel A200 CDI has 140 hp and 300 Nm.
Itrnis estimated that the W169 engines provide a 40% increase in power andrna 10% decrease in fuel consumption compared to W168 engines.
The most powerful model can take the car from a standstill to 100 km/h in 8.0 seconds, and has a top speed of 227 km/h.
Thernnewly developed direct-injection CDI diesel units use a common-railrndirect injection system that improves fuel consumption and reducesrnexhaust emissions and noise levels.
All the engines meet therntight EU4 emissions limits. A particulate filter system is available asrnan option for the diesel units which reduces the particulate emissionsrnby about 99% without the need for additives.
The A-Class is arnfront wheel drive car and features traction control (ASR) as standard,rnas well as electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes (ABS).
Handling is improved by precision tracking and anti-roll support, and by a Parabolic Rear Axle.
Arn"Selective Damping System", in which the shock absorber forces respondrndifferently according to conditions, is standard. For example, underrnnormal conditions it operates at soft absorption; while cornering atrnspeed it changes to full damping force.
The W169 optionally comesrnwith light-alloy wheels, with a run-flat feature, Tirefit tire sealantrnand a tire-pressure-loss warning device.
Tire sizes are:
+ 185/65 R 15 with wheel trim (classic model)
+ 185/65 R 15 light-alloy wheels (elegance model)
+ 195/55 R 16 light-alloy wheels (avantgarde model)
Production
Salesrnof the W169 were targeted at 50,000 units in 2004. Dr. Joachim Schmidt,rnExecutive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes Car Group, saidrnthat target had been reached even before vehicles arrived in dealerrnshowrooms.
DaimlerChrysler invested EUR 900 million in developingrnthe Rastatt plant where the A-Class is produced, and created 1600 newrnjobs (for a total of 4700). A further 600 people work on the industrialrnestate at the plant site.
In 1999, Mercedes Benz opened, in MinernGerais (Brazil), its first factory in South America dedicated tornpassenger cars, with an investment of USD 840 million and 10,000rnemployees. The factory initially produced A-Class and C-Class models,rnassembling them from pieces manufactured in Germany. The target for therncars was regional markets (from Argentina to Mexico) with modificationsrnmade to the cars to suit local conditions, like a protection for thernmotor base for the mostly poor roads in South America. In 2005 thernfactory stopped production of A-Class cars.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class W169
Thernsecond generation A-Class, the W169, was officially presented atrnMercedes' Stuttgart factory on June 28, 2004 with availability in earlyrnSeptember.
Driving assistance
The car is designed according to Mercedes-Benz concept of 'Touch And Feel' (TAF).
Thernmulti-function steering wheel places controls for the radio, telephone,rnand other systems conveniently within reach of the thumbs of therndriver. Power steering (standard feature) aids control of thernautomobile, with its behaviour varying according to the vehicle's speed.
ThernMercedes COMAND APS is a navigation system which provides directionsrnvia SMS. The radio unit also provides DVD and telephone functionality,rnwith various versions available (standard Audio 20 radio/single CD,rnAudio 50 APS or COMAND APS).
The Parktronic system provides audio and visual signals to indicate how far the car is from an obstacle.
ThernA-class optionally includes a "Light & Sight" package whichrnincludes bi-xenon HID headlamps with gas-discharge bulbs; corneringrnlights (main-beam headlamps at road junctions and tight corners);rn"Headlamp Assist, which automatically turns on the lights when needed;rnand a rain sensor that adjusts wiper speed depending on rainfallrnintensity.
As a standard feature, when entering a tunnel or anrnunderground garage the car goes into "tunnel mode", where all windowsrnand the panoramic sliding sunroof are closed.
Thernstandard temperature control system has separate temperature settingsrnfor driver and front passenger sides, and includes a "Heater BoosterrnSystem" that can flood the interior of the car with hot air.
Thernoptional Themotronic system maintains and regulates the temperature inrnaccordance with a set of sensors that measure temperature, sunlight,rnhumidity and pollutant levels in the ambient air.
Safety
Triggered by the "moose test" failure, a number of improvements were made in the W169 model.
Therncar is constructed with high-strength steel alloys with bonded joints.rnIt has a large number of airbags including optional rear side airbagsrn(for side-impacts in the backseats), optional side-curtain airbags, andrnstandard head and thorax-protection side airbags. The front airbags arernadaptive with two-stage gas generators operating according to thernseverity of accident.
The force exerted by the seat belt systemrnduring a collision adapts dynamically depending upon the collisionrncharacteristics. The 'active' head restraints (standard for driver andrnfront passenger) give enhanced protection from neck injury, especiallyrnduring rear collisions.
Passenger and cargo space
Therncargo capacity of the W169 was increased by 15 percent compared withrnthe W168. The seats can be moved and configured in various ways:
+rnEASY-ENTRY: Front seats slides forwards with the backrest foldedrnforwards to afford the rear seat passengers more room for getting inrnand out. (standard on three-door)
+ EASY-VARIO: Both rear-seatrncushion sections are folded forward, while the luggage compartmentrnfloor can be set to one of two different heights. (optional forrnthree-door)
+ EASY-VARIO-PLUS: Both rear-seat cushion and the frontrnpassenger seat are folded forward. Increases load capacity to as muchrnas 1995 litres. (optional for five-door)
Engine and drive system
Sevenrntypes of motors are available: four petrol (gasoline) (A150, A170,rnA200, A200Turbo) and three diesel (160CDI, 180CDI, 200CDI), all beingrnfour-cylinder and having either 5 or 6 gears. A continuously variablerntransmission system called "Autotronic Constantly VariablernTransmission" (CVT) is an optional feature.
The petrol A200 Turbo provides 193 hp and 280 Nm of torque (rotational force); the diesel A200 CDI has 140 hp and 300 Nm.
Itrnis estimated that the W169 engines provide a 40% increase in power andrna 10% decrease in fuel consumption compared to W168 engines.
The most powerful model can take the car from a standstill to 100 km/h in 8.0 seconds, and has a top speed of 227 km/h.
Thernnewly developed direct-injection CDI diesel units use a common-railrndirect injection system that improves fuel consumption and reducesrnexhaust emissions and noise levels.
All the engines meet therntight EU4 emissions limits. A particulate filter system is available asrnan option for the diesel units which reduces the particulate emissionsrnby about 99% without the need for additives.
The A-Class is arnfront wheel drive car and features traction control (ASR) as standard,rnas well as electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes (ABS).
Handling is improved by precision tracking and anti-roll support, and by a Parabolic Rear Axle.
Arn"Selective Damping System", in which the shock absorber forces respondrndifferently according to conditions, is standard. For example, underrnnormal conditions it operates at soft absorption; while cornering atrnspeed it changes to full damping force.
The W169 optionally comesrnwith light-alloy wheels, with a run-flat feature, Tirefit tire sealantrnand a tire-pressure-loss warning device.
Tire sizes are:
+ 185/65 R 15 with wheel trim (classic model)
+ 185/65 R 15 light-alloy wheels (elegance model)
+ 195/55 R 16 light-alloy wheels (avantgarde model)
Production
Salesrnof the W169 were targeted at 50,000 units in 2004. Dr. Joachim Schmidt,rnExecutive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes Car Group, saidrnthat target had been reached even before vehicles arrived in dealerrnshowrooms.
DaimlerChrysler invested EUR 900 million in developingrnthe Rastatt plant where the A-Class is produced, and created 1600 newrnjobs (for a total of 4700). A further 600 people work on the industrialrnestate at the plant site.
In 1999, Mercedes Benz opened, in MinernGerais (Brazil), its first factory in South America dedicated tornpassenger cars, with an investment of USD 840 million and 10,000rnemployees. The factory initially produced A-Class and C-Class models,rnassembling them from pieces manufactured in Germany. The target for therncars was regional markets (from Argentina to Mexico) with modificationsrnmade to the cars to suit local conditions, like a protection for thernmotor base for the mostly poor roads in South America. In 2005 thernfactory stopped production of A-Class cars.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class W169
Thernsecond generation A-Class, the W169, was officially presented atrnMercedes' Stuttgart factory on June 28, 2004 with availability in earlyrnSeptember.
Driving assistance
The car is designed according to Mercedes-Benz concept of 'Touch And Feel' (TAF).
Thernmulti-function steering wheel places controls for the radio, telephone,rnand other systems conveniently within reach of the thumbs of therndriver. Power steering (standard feature) aids control of thernautomobile, with its behaviour varying according to the vehicle's speed.
ThernMercedes COMAND APS is a navigation system which provides directionsrnvia SMS. The radio unit also provides DVD and telephone functionality,rnwith various versions available (standard Audio 20 radio/single CD,rnAudio 50 APS or COMAND APS).
The Parktronic system provides audio and visual signals to indicate how far the car is from an obstacle.
ThernA-class optionally includes a "Light & Sight" package whichrnincludes bi-xenon HID headlamps with gas-discharge bulbs; corneringrnlights (main-beam headlamps at road junctions and tight corners);rn"Headlamp Assist, which automatically turns on the lights when needed;rnand a rain sensor that adjusts wiper speed depending on rainfallrnintensity.
As a standard feature, when entering a tunnel or anrnunderground garage the car goes into "tunnel mode", where all windowsrnand the panoramic sliding sunroof are closed.
Thernstandard temperature control system has separate temperature settingsrnfor driver and front passenger sides, and includes a "Heater BoosterrnSystem" that can flood the interior of the car with hot air.
Thernoptional Themotronic system maintains and regulates the temperature inrnaccordance with a set of sensors that measure temperature, sunlight,rnhumidity and pollutant levels in the ambient air.
Safety
Triggered by the "moose test" failure, a number of improvements were made in the W169 model.
Therncar is constructed with high-strength steel alloys with bonded joints.rnIt has a large number of airbags including optional rear side airbagsrn(for side-impacts in the backseats), optional side-curtain airbags, andrnstandard head and thorax-protection side airbags. The front airbags arernadaptive with two-stage gas generators operating according to thernseverity of accident.
The force exerted by the seat belt systemrnduring a collision adapts dynamically depending upon the collisionrncharacteristics. The 'active' head restraints (standard for driver andrnfront passenger) give enhanced protection from neck injury, especiallyrnduring rear collisions.
Passenger and cargo space
Therncargo capacity of the W169 was increased by 15 percent compared withrnthe W168. The seats can be moved and configured in various ways:
+rnEASY-ENTRY: Front seats slides forwards with the backrest foldedrnforwards to afford the rear seat passengers more room for getting inrnand out. (standard on three-door)
+ EASY-VARIO: Both rear-seatrncushion sections are folded forward, while the luggage compartmentrnfloor can be set to one of two different heights. (optional forrnthree-door)
+ EASY-VARIO-PLUS: Both rear-seat cushion and the frontrnpassenger seat are folded forward. Increases load capacity to as muchrnas 1995 litres. (optional for five-door)
Engine and drive system
Sevenrntypes of motors are available: four petrol (gasoline) (A150, A170,rnA200, A200Turbo) and three diesel (160CDI, 180CDI, 200CDI), all beingrnfour-cylinder and having either 5 or 6 gears. A continuously variablerntransmission system called "Autotronic Constantly VariablernTransmission" (CVT) is an optional feature.
The petrol A200 Turbo provides 193 hp and 280 Nm of torque (rotational force); the diesel A200 CDI has 140 hp and 300 Nm.
Itrnis estimated that the W169 engines provide a 40% increase in power andrna 10% decrease in fuel consumption compared to W168 engines.
The most powerful model can take the car from a standstill to 100 km/h in 8.0 seconds, and has a top speed of 227 km/h.
Thernnewly developed direct-injection CDI diesel units use a common-railrndirect injection system that improves fuel consumption and reducesrnexhaust emissions and noise levels.
All the engines meet therntight EU4 emissions limits. A particulate filter system is available asrnan option for the diesel units which reduces the particulate emissionsrnby about 99% without the need for additives.
The A-Class is arnfront wheel drive car and features traction control (ASR) as standard,rnas well as electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes (ABS).
Handling is improved by precision tracking and anti-roll support, and by a Parabolic Rear Axle.
Arn"Selective Damping System", in which the shock absorber forces respondrndifferently according to conditions, is standard. For example, underrnnormal conditions it operates at soft absorption; while cornering atrnspeed it changes to full damping force.
The W169 optionally comesrnwith light-alloy wheels, with a run-flat feature, Tirefit tire sealantrnand a tire-pressure-loss warning device.
Tire sizes are:
+ 185/65 R 15 with wheel trim (classic model)
+ 185/65 R 15 light-alloy wheels (elegance model)
+ 195/55 R 16 light-alloy wheels (avantgarde model)
Production
Salesrnof the W169 were targeted at 50,000 units in 2004. Dr. Joachim Schmidt,rnExecutive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes Car Group, saidrnthat target had been reached even before vehicles arrived in dealerrnshowrooms.
DaimlerChrysler invested EUR 900 million in developingrnthe Rastatt plant where the A-Class is produced, and created 1600 newrnjobs (for a total of 4700). A further 600 people work on the industrialrnestate at the plant site.
In 1999, Mercedes Benz opened, in MinernGerais (Brazil), its first factory in South America dedicated tornpassenger cars, with an investment of USD 840 million and 10,000rnemployees. The factory initially produced A-Class and C-Class models,rnassembling them from pieces manufactured in Germany. The target for therncars was regional markets (from Argentina to Mexico) with modificationsrnmade to the cars to suit local conditions, like a protection for thernmotor base for the mostly poor roads in South America. In 2005 thernfactory stopped production of A-Class cars.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class W169
Thernsecond generation A-Class, the W169, was officially presented atrnMercedes' Stuttgart factory on June 28, 2004 with availability in earlyrnSeptember.
Driving assistance
The car is designed according to Mercedes-Benz concept of 'Touch And Feel' (TAF).
Thernmulti-function steering wheel places controls for the radio, telephone,rnand other systems conveniently within reach of the thumbs of therndriver. Power steering (standard feature) aids control of thernautomobile, with its behaviour varying according to the vehicle's speed.
ThernMercedes COMAND APS is a navigation system which provides directionsrnvia SMS. The radio unit also provides DVD and telephone functionality,rnwith various versions available (standard Audio 20 radio/single CD,rnAudio 50 APS or COMAND APS).
The Parktronic system provides audio and visual signals to indicate how far the car is from an obstacle.
ThernA-class optionally includes a "Light & Sight" package whichrnincludes bi-xenon HID headlamps with gas-discharge bulbs; corneringrnlights (main-beam headlamps at road junctions and tight corners);rn"Headlamp Assist, which automatically turns on the lights when needed;rnand a rain sensor that adjusts wiper speed depending on rainfallrnintensity.
As a standard feature, when entering a tunnel or anrnunderground garage the car goes into "tunnel mode", where all windowsrnand the panoramic sliding sunroof are closed.
Thernstandard temperature control system has separate temperature settingsrnfor driver and front passenger sides, and includes a "Heater BoosterrnSystem" that can flood the interior of the car with hot air.
Thernoptional Themotronic system maintains and regulates the temperature inrnaccordance with a set of sensors that measure temperature, sunlight,rnhumidity and pollutant levels in the ambient air.
Safety
Triggered by the "moose test" failure, a number of improvements were made in the W169 model.
Therncar is constructed with high-strength steel alloys with bonded joints.rnIt has a large number of airbags including optional rear side airbagsrn(for side-impacts in the backseats), optional side-curtain airbags, andrnstandard head and thorax-protection side airbags. The front airbags arernadaptive with two-stage gas generators operating according to thernseverity of accident.
The force exerted by the seat belt systemrnduring a collision adapts dynamically depending upon the collisionrncharacteristics. The 'active' head restraints (standard for driver andrnfront passenger) give enhanced protection from neck injury, especiallyrnduring rear collisions.
Passenger and cargo space
Therncargo capacity of the W169 was increased by 15 percent compared withrnthe W168. The seats can be moved and configured in various ways:
+rnEASY-ENTRY: Front seats slides forwards with the backrest foldedrnforwards to afford the rear seat passengers more room for getting inrnand out. (standard on three-door)
+ EASY-VARIO: Both rear-seatrncushion sections are folded forward, while the luggage compartmentrnfloor can be set to one of two different heights. (optional forrnthree-door)
+ EASY-VARIO-PLUS: Both rear-seat cushion and the frontrnpassenger seat are folded forward. Increases load capacity to as muchrnas 1995 litres. (optional for five-door)
Engine and drive system
Sevenrntypes of motors are available: four petrol (gasoline) (A150, A170,rnA200, A200Turbo) and three diesel (160CDI, 180CDI, 200CDI), all beingrnfour-cylinder and having either 5 or 6 gears. A continuously variablerntransmission system called "Autotronic Constantly VariablernTransmission" (CVT) is an optional feature.
The petrol A200 Turbo provides 193 hp and 280 Nm of torque (rotational force); the diesel A200 CDI has 140 hp and 300 Nm.
Itrnis estimated that the W169 engines provide a 40% increase in power andrna 10% decrease in fuel consumption compared to W168 engines.
The most powerful model can take the car from a standstill to 100 km/h in 8.0 seconds, and has a top speed of 227 km/h.
Thernnewly developed direct-injection CDI diesel units use a common-railrndirect injection system that improves fuel consumption and reducesrnexhaust emissions and noise levels.
All the engines meet therntight EU4 emissions limits. A particulate filter system is available asrnan option for the diesel units which reduces the particulate emissionsrnby about 99% without the need for additives.
The A-Class is arnfront wheel drive car and features traction control (ASR) as standard,rnas well as electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes (ABS).
Handling is improved by precision tracking and anti-roll support, and by a Parabolic Rear Axle.
Arn"Selective Damping System", in which the shock absorber forces respondrndifferently according to conditions, is standard. For example, underrnnormal conditions it operates at soft absorption; while cornering atrnspeed it changes to full damping force.
The W169 optionally comesrnwith light-alloy wheels, with a run-flat feature, Tirefit tire sealantrnand a tire-pressure-loss warning device.
Tire sizes are:
+ 185/65 R 15 with wheel trim (classic model)
+ 185/65 R 15 light-alloy wheels (elegance model)
+ 195/55 R 16 light-alloy wheels (avantgarde model)
Production
Salesrnof the W169 were targeted at 50,000 units in 2004. Dr. Joachim Schmidt,rnExecutive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes Car Group, saidrnthat target had been reached even before vehicles arrived in dealerrnshowrooms.
DaimlerChrysler invested EUR 900 million in developingrnthe Rastatt plant where the A-Class is produced, and created 1600 newrnjobs (for a total of 4700). A further 600 people work on the industrialrnestate at the plant site.
In 1999, Mercedes Benz opened, in MinernGerais (Brazil), its first factory in South America dedicated tornpassenger cars, with an investment of USD 840 million and 10,000rnemployees. The factory initially produced A-Class and C-Class models,rnassembling them from pieces manufactured in Germany. The target for therncars was regional markets (from Argentina to Mexico) with modificationsrnmade to the cars to suit local conditions, like a protection for thernmotor base for the mostly poor roads in South America. In 2005 thernfactory stopped production of A-Class cars.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class W169
Thernsecond generation A-Class, the W169, was officially presented atrnMercedes' Stuttgart factory on June 28, 2004 with availability in earlyrnSeptember.
Driving assistance
The car is designed according to Mercedes-Benz concept of 'Touch And Feel' (TAF).
Thernmulti-function steering wheel places controls for the radio, telephone,rnand other systems conveniently within reach of the thumbs of therndriver. Power steering (standard feature) aids control of thernautomobile, with its behaviour varying according to the vehicle's speed.
ThernMercedes COMAND APS is a navigation system which provides directionsrnvia SMS. The radio unit also provides DVD and telephone functionality,rnwith various versions available (standard Audio 20 radio/single CD,rnAudio 50 APS or COMAND APS).
The Parktronic system provides audio and visual signals to indicate how far the car is from an obstacle.
ThernA-class optionally includes a "Light & Sight" package whichrnincludes bi-xenon HID headlamps with gas-discharge bulbs; corneringrnlights (main-beam headlamps at road junctions and tight corners);rn"Headlamp Assist, which automatically turns on the lights when needed;rnand a rain sensor that adjusts wiper speed depending on rainfallrnintensity.
As a standard feature, when entering a tunnel or anrnunderground garage the car goes into "tunnel mode", where all windowsrnand the panoramic sliding sunroof are closed.
Thernstandard temperature control system has separate temperature settingsrnfor driver and front passenger sides, and includes a "Heater BoosterrnSystem" that can flood the interior of the car with hot air.
Thernoptional Themotronic system maintains and regulates the temperature inrnaccordance with a set of sensors that measure temperature, sunlight,rnhumidity and pollutant levels in the ambient air.
Safety
Triggered by the "moose test" failure, a number of improvements were made in the W169 model.
Therncar is constructed with high-strength steel alloys with bonded joints.rnIt has a large number of airbags including optional rear side airbagsrn(for side-impacts in the backseats), optional side-curtain airbags, andrnstandard head and thorax-protection side airbags. The front airbags arernadaptive with two-stage gas generators operating according to thernseverity of accident.
The force exerted by the seat belt systemrnduring a collision adapts dynamically depending upon the collisionrncharacteristics. The 'active' head restraints (standard for driver andrnfront passenger) give enhanced protection from neck injury, especiallyrnduring rear collisions.
Passenger and cargo space
Therncargo capacity of the W169 was increased by 15 percent compared withrnthe W168. The seats can be moved and configured in various ways:
+rnEASY-ENTRY: Front seats slides forwards with the backrest foldedrnforwards to afford the rear seat passengers more room for getting inrnand out. (standard on three-door)
+ EASY-VARIO: Both rear-seatrncushion sections are folded forward, while the luggage compartmentrnfloor can be set to one of two different heights. (optional forrnthree-door)
+ EASY-VARIO-PLUS: Both rear-seat cushion and the frontrnpassenger seat are folded forward. Increases load capacity to as muchrnas 1995 litres. (optional for five-door)
Engine and drive system
Sevenrntypes of motors are available: four petrol (gasoline) (A150, A170,rnA200, A200Turbo) and three diesel (160CDI, 180CDI, 200CDI), all beingrnfour-cylinder and having either 5 or 6 gears. A continuously variablerntransmission system called "Autotronic Constantly VariablernTransmission" (CVT) is an optional feature.
The petrol A200 Turbo provides 193 hp and 280 Nm of torque (rotational force); the diesel A200 CDI has 140 hp and 300 Nm.
Itrnis estimated that the W169 engines provide a 40% increase in power andrna 10% decrease in fuel consumption compared to W168 engines.
The most powerful model can take the car from a standstill to 100 km/h in 8.0 seconds, and has a top speed of 227 km/h.
Thernnewly developed direct-injection CDI diesel units use a common-railrndirect injection system that improves fuel consumption and reducesrnexhaust emissions and noise levels.
All the engines meet therntight EU4 emissions limits. A particulate filter system is available asrnan option for the diesel units which reduces the particulate emissionsrnby about 99% without the need for additives.
The A-Class is arnfront wheel drive car and features traction control (ASR) as standard,rnas well as electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes (ABS).
Handling is improved by precision tracking and anti-roll support, and by a Parabolic Rear Axle.
Arn"Selective Damping System", in which the shock absorber forces respondrndifferently according to conditions, is standard. For example, underrnnormal conditions it operates at soft absorption; while cornering atrnspeed it changes to full damping force.
The W169 optionally comesrnwith light-alloy wheels, with a run-flat feature, Tirefit tire sealantrnand a tire-pressure-loss warning device.
Tire sizes are:
+ 185/65 R 15 with wheel trim (classic model)
+ 185/65 R 15 light-alloy wheels (elegance model)
+ 195/55 R 16 light-alloy wheels (avantgarde model)
Production
Salesrnof the W169 were targeted at 50,000 units in 2004. Dr. Joachim Schmidt,rnExecutive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes Car Group, saidrnthat target had been reached even before vehicles arrived in dealerrnshowrooms.
DaimlerChrysler invested EUR 900 million in developingrnthe Rastatt plant where the A-Class is produced, and created 1600 newrnjobs (for a total of 4700). A further 600 people work on the industrialrnestate at the plant site.
In 1999, Mercedes Benz opened, in MinernGerais (Brazil), its first factory in South America dedicated tornpassenger cars, with an investment of USD 840 million and 10,000rnemployees. The factory initially produced A-Class and C-Class models,rnassembling them from pieces manufactured in Germany. The target for therncars was regional markets (from Argentina to Mexico) with modificationsrnmade to the cars to suit local conditions, like a protection for thernmotor base for the mostly poor roads in South America. In 2005 thernfactory stopped production of A-Class cars.
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