Mercedes-Benz A-Class is a subcompact and later subcompact executive car manufactured since 1997 by the German company. The first generation came as five-door hatchbacks with front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout, while the second generation added a three-door version. The third generation sees a change in classification to the subcompact executive class and the addition of an all-wheel-drive version. The most recent generation offers a four-door sedan body style.
First Generation (1997-2004)
The A-Class launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in the second half of 1997 under the codename W168, as an unusual model for Mercedes-Benz, given its tall but short body and front-wheel drive. It features an innovative "Sandwich bar" system, which in the case of a severe frontal impact, slides the engine and transmission under the floor, lowering the risk to the passenger compartment. The exterior design was done in full by renowned Steve Mattin, for which he was awarded Designer of the Year by Autocar magazine.
An incident happened when a Swedish motor magazine performed an elk test, resulting in the car flipping over. While Mercedes initially denied the possibility of that happening, it recalled 2600 units sold at the time. It stopped the sales for three months and fixed the issue with a modified suspension and the addition of electronic stability control. On the Euro NCAP safety test, A-Class scored a 4-star rating for an adult occupant.
In 2001, A-Class received a facelift, presented at the Geneva Motor Show, with changes to front headlights, bumpers and adding a longer wheelbase version. A-Class cost the company 2.5 billion DM to develop, and an additional 300 million DM to fix the stability issue. Throughout production, 1.1 million cars were sold worldwide.
Trim levels come in Classic, with standard equipment, Elegance, which adds light-alloy wheels, radiator grille, and mirrors in the colour of the car, chrome inlays. Avantgarde was the premium level, featuring previous options, including monochrome tail light glass.
Powertrain options were limited to inline-four engines, 1.4L, and 1.6L petrol, later adding 1.8L and 2.0L engines, while diesel was available in four power options of a 1.7L engine. In Australia, only petrol engines were offered.
- A140 1.6L I4, producing 60kW (80hp) at 5000rpm and 140Nm of torque at 2500rpm, a top speed of 166km/h, 5-speed automatic transmission
- A160 1.6L I4, producing 75kW (101hp) at 5250rpm and 150Nm of torque at 4000rpm, a top speed of 182km/h, 5-speed manual transmission
- A190 1.9L I4, producing 92kW (123hp) at 5500rpm and 180Nm of torque at 4000rpm, a top speed of 198km/h, 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission
Second Generation (2004-2012)
The second generation began production in Rastatt, Germany, as well as Thailand’s Thonburi Automotive Assembly. Codenamed W169 internally, this generation was available as a three or five-door hatchback on one wheelbase platform. It has improved the cargo capacity and cabin space compared to its predecessor and is slightly larger in dimensions.
A-Class scored a five-star rating on the Euro NCAP test, marketed as the best in the class.
On the second-generation platform, Mercedes built F-Cell, a model using hydrogen fuel cell with 65kW (87hp) and driving range of 160km, although it was not available to the public.
In 2008, W169 received a facelift, with external changes to the bumpers and lights and the addition of start-and-stop function as an option for the A150 and A170 models. Another feature was the active park assist system, which allowed the car to parallel-park autonomously, requiring only pedal input from the drive.
Trim levels available are Classic, Elegance, and Avantgarde, the same as in the previous generation. A Classic comes with an extensive range of equipment, both in comfort and safety department. Elegance includes more design and comfort features, while the Avantgarde level focuses on the sporty aspect, featuring 16-inch tires and projection-beam headlamps. Standard equipment in all packages: anti-lock braking system, electronic stability, and traction control.
All the engine choices come in inline-four layout and range from 1.5L to 2.0L petrol engines, with three variants of 2.0L diesel. Consumption of the petrol engines is approximately 6.5L per 100km combined, while the diesel variants manage roughly 5L per 100km combined.
Powertrain options available in Australia:
- A150 1.5L I4 petrol engine, producing 70kW (95hp) at 5200rpm and 140Nm of torque at 3500-4000rpm, a top speed of 173km/h and 0-100km/h in 12.6 seconds, 5-speed manual or automatic transmission
- A170 1.7L I4 petrol engine, producing 85kW (116hp) at 5500rpm and 155Nm of torque at 3500-4000rpm, a top speed of 188km/h and 0-100km/h in 10.9 seconds, 5-speed manual or automatic transmission
- A200 2.0L I4 petrol engine, producing 100kW (134hp) at 5750rpm and 185Nm of torque at 3500-4000rpm, a top speed of 195km/h, 5-speed or 6-speed manual transmission
- A200 Turbo 2.0L I4 petrol engine, producing 142kW (193hp) at 4850rpm and 280Nm of torque at 1800-4850rpm, a top speed of 218km/h and 0-100km/h in 8.0 seconds, 6-speed manual transmission
- A180 CDI 2.0L I4 diesel engine, producing 80kW (109hp) at 4200rpm and 250Nm of torque at 1600-2600rpm, a top speed of 184km/h and 0-100km/h in 10.8 seconds, 5-speed or 6-speed manual or automatic transmission
Third Generation (2013-2018)
Mercedes-Benz unveiled the third generation (coded W176) at the Geneva Motor Show in 2012. The A-Class modifications aligned with the company's new design direction. Its dimensions are now larger than previous models, making it a proper small family car.
Trim levels available:
- SE or Standard - includes 16-inch alloy wheels, reversing camera, display screen, halogen lights, cruise control, air conditioning, leather seats
- Sport package - includes 17-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, display screen, automatic climate control, stainless steel twin-tailpipes, Dynamic Select, illuminated door sills
- AMG Line - includes 18-inch alloy wheels, AMG body kit, sports steering, AMG floor mats, brushed stainless steel sports pedals, sports seats, faux carbon fibre trim, flat-bottomed steering wheel, front brake calliper with Mercedes-Benz motif, and lowered comfort suspension
The A45 AMG A-Class was produced from 2013 to 2018 and came equipped with a 2L I4 turbocharged engine producing 280kW (376hp) at 6000rpm and 475Nm of torque at 2250-5000rpm, AMG Speedshift 7-speed sports transmission, four-wheel-drive. In the passenger car class, this engine has the highest specific output per litre for a four-cylinder motor (187.5hp).
Powertrain options available in Australia:
- A180 Blue Efficiency 1.6L I4, turbocharged petrol engine, producing 90kW (120hp) at 5000rpm and 200Nm of torque at 1250-4000rpm, 7-speed automatic transmission
- A200 Blue Efficiency 1.6L I4, turbocharged petrol engine, producing 115kw (154hp) at 5000rpm and 250Nm of torque at 1250-4000rpm, 7-speed automatic transmission
- A250 Blue Efficiency 2.0L I4, turbocharged petrol engine, producing 155kW (208hp) at 5500rpm and 350Nm of torque at 1200-4000rpm, 7-speed automatic transmission
- A250 4Matic Blue Efficiency 2.0L I4, turbocharged petrol engine, producing 155kW (208hp) at 5500rpm and 350Nm of torque at 1200-4000rpm, 7-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel-drive
- A250 Sport 2.0L I4, turbocharged petrol engine, producing 155kW (208hp) at 5500rpm and 350Nm of torque at 1200-4000rpm, 7-speed automatic transmission
- A45 AMG 2.0L I4, twin-scroll turbo petrol engine, producing 280kW (376hp) at 6000rpm and 475Nm of torque at 2250-5000rpm, 7-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel-drive
- A200 CDI Blue Efficiency 1.8L I4, turbocharged diesel engine, producing 100kW (134hp) at 3600-4400rpm and 300Nm of torque at 1600-3000rpm, 7-speed automatic transmission
- A200 CDI Blue Efficiency 2.1L I4, turbocharged diesel engine, producing 100kW (134hp) at 3400-4400rpm and 300Nm of torque at 1400-3400rpm, 7-speed automatic transmission
Fourth Generation (2018-Present)
Current generation A-Class, codenamed W177, was revealed at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show and is available as a 4-door sedan (V177) and 5-door hatchback (W177).
A-Class is packed with features and optional extras, with general trim levels available being SE, Sport, and AMG Line. Even the base models come with a full set of airbags, ABS, climate control, alloy wheels, cruise control, ESP, keyless entry and start, multifunctional display, satellite navigation, and more.
Powertrain options available in Australia:
- A180 1.6L I4, turbocharged petrol engine, producing 90kW and 200Nm of torque, 7-speed automatic transmission, with the average consumption of 5.8L per 100km combined
- A250 4Matic 2.0L I4, turbocharged petrol engine, producing 165kW and 350Nm of torque, 7-speed automatic transmission, with the average consumption of 6.6L per 100km combined
- A250 4Matic AMG Line 2.0L I4, turbocharged petrol engine, producing 165kW and 350Nm of torque, 7-speed automatic transmission, with the average consumption of 6.6L per 100km combined
- A250 4Matic Limited 2.0L I4, turbocharged petrol engine, producing 165kW and 350Nm of torque, 7-speed automatic transmission, with the average consumption of 6.6L per 100km combined
Author: Luka Kusic