Mercedes-Benz continues to expand its family of compact vehicles with the introduction of the all-new A-Class Sedan. This four-door model, boasting a 107.4-inch wheelbase, combines the dynamic proportions of a coupe-like sedan with the practicality of a spacious interior. The Mercedes A-Class Sedan carries forward the virtues of the A-Class lineage, including efficient engines, advanced safety systems rivaling the flagship S-Class, and the debut of the revolutionary MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) multimedia system. The world premiere of the 2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan took place in Brooklyn, NY in July 2018, and it launched in the U.S. market in early 2019, marking a significant step for Mercedes-Benz in the compact sedan segment.
Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing and Sales, highlighted the strategic importance of this new model: “Following the successful start of the A-Class, things at Mercedes-Benz are happening in quick succession with regard to the new family of compacts. In response to the wish of many customers, we now offer the A-Class for the first time as a sedan. Anyone looking for a compact, sporty sedan with a separate trunk now has a new, attractive alternative. It will attract new customers for Mercedes-Benz.”
The current generation of Mercedes-Benz compact cars has been instrumental in rejuvenating the brand’s image and attracting a new demographic. The 2013 launch of the CLA Coupe marked the first foray of Mercedes-Benz compact cars into the U.S. market. By 2017, nearly half of U.S. buyers of Mercedes-Benz compact cars were switching from competitor brands, and over 50% of CLA customers were new to the Mercedes-Benz family, demonstrating the power of these models to conquest new customers and first-time luxury car buyers.
The original Mercedes A-Class, launched in 1997, pioneered the premium compact car segment for Mercedes-Benz. Since then, over six million A-Class models have been delivered globally. The A-Class Sedan, as the seventh model in the compact range, logically expands Mercedes-Benz’s dominance in the premium sedan market, mirroring their success with the C, E, and S-Class sedans.
Dimensions and Practicality
The Mercedes A-Class Sedan provides generous dimensions for a compact car, ensuring both style and usability:
- Length: 179.1 inches
- Width: 70.7 inches
- Height: 56.9 inches
- Wheelbase: 107.4 inches
These dimensions translate to a spacious interior, particularly in terms of shoulder, elbow, and headroom, along with easy rear access. A notable improvement is the rear headroom, making it comfortable for adult passengers. The trunk is designed for practical use, featuring a wide opening to facilitate easy loading and unloading of larger luggage items. This blend of compact exterior and generous interior space makes the Mercedes A-Class Sedan a versatile option for daily driving and longer journeys.
Engine and Performance
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan is available in two models: the A 220 and A 220 4MATIC. Both are powered by a responsive 2.0L inline-4 turbocharged engine producing 188 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with a smooth and efficient 7G-DCT dual-clutch transmission, offering a balance of performance and fuel economy suitable for city driving and highway cruising. The 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system in the A 220 4MATIC provides enhanced traction and stability, especially in varied weather conditions.
Advanced Features and Technology
The standard equipment on the A 220 and A 220 4MATIC Mercedes A-Class Sedan is comprehensive, highlighting Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to luxury and technology even in their compact models. Key standard features include:
- MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience): This revolutionary multimedia system with a touchscreen interface and voice control is a standout feature. MBUX learns user preferences and adapts to provide a personalized and intuitive experience.
- Touchscreen Display: A high-resolution touchscreen provides easy access to vehicle functions, navigation, entertainment, and more.
- Voice Control: Activated by the keyword “Hey Mercedes,” the intelligent voice control system understands natural language, allowing drivers to control various vehicle functions hands-free.
- Active Brake Assist: A crucial safety feature, Active Brake Assist helps mitigate or prevent rear-end collisions with vehicles ahead, and can even detect pedestrians and cyclists.
- Adaptive Braking Technology: Includes Hill Start Assist and the HOLD function for enhanced control and convenience in various driving situations.
Optional equipment allows for further personalization and luxury, including:
- KEYLESS-GO® with HANDS-FREE ACCESS: This convenient feature enables hands-free trunk opening with a simple kick motion under the rear bumper, perfect for when your hands are full.
- Progressive and AMG Line Design and Equipment Lines: These lines offer distinct styling choices, allowing buyers to tailor the A-Class Sedan to their personal taste, from sophisticated elegance to sporty aggression.
- Night Package: Adds darkened exterior elements for a more assertive and unique appearance.
Exterior Design: Sensual Purity and Sporty Elegance
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan embodies the Mercedes-Benz design philosophy of Sensual Purity, characterized by clean lines, harmonious surfaces, and a focus on essential forms. The design emphasizes surface areas while minimizing lines and gaps, creating a sophisticated and modern aesthetic.
Key design elements contributing to the Mercedes A-Class Sedan’s striking appearance include:
- Dynamic Proportions: Short front and rear overhangs, a deep greenhouse, and a compact rear-end give the sedan a dynamic and coupe-like profile.
- Sporty Stance: 17 to 19-inch wheels and pronounced wheel arches contribute to a confident and sporty road presence.
- Progressive Front-End: A low, elongated hood, slim-line chrome headlamps, torch-like daytime driving lights, and the iconic central star create a forward-looking and recognizable Mercedes-Benz face. The optional single-louvre diamond radiator grille with chrome pins adds a touch of extra sophistication.
- Sensual Shoulder Line: A precisely sculpted line along the shoulder emphasizes the car’s contoured volume and muscularity.
- Two-Part Taillamps: Widen the appearance of the rear, while relocated reflectors in the modular bumper contribute to a clean and integrated design. Rear bumper options include a black diffuser or chrome trim, depending on the chosen equipment line.
Interior Design: A Revolution in Compact Class Luxury
The interior of the Mercedes A-Class Sedan represents a complete redesign, setting new standards for spaciousness, modernity, and technology in the compact class. Mercedes-Benz designers have revolutionized the interior architecture, creating a feeling of openness and sophistication.
Highlight interior features include:
- Avant-Garde Dashboard Design: The dashboard is designed without a traditional cowl, creating a seamless, wing-shaped structure that extends across the front doors. The widescreen display appears to float freely, enhancing the sense of spaciousness.
- Widescreen Display: Available in two configurations: standard dual 7-inch displays or optional dual 10.25-inch displays. This fully free-standing cockpit is a focal point of the interior, providing a modern and immersive digital experience.
- Sporty Turbine-Look Air Vents: These uniquely designed air vents add a touch of sporty flair and visual interest to the dashboard.
- Ambient Lighting: Optional 64-color ambient lighting elevates the interior ambiance, offering five times more color choices than previous systems. Ten color themes create dynamic and visually stunning lighting displays throughout the cabin.
MBUX: An Unrivaled User Experience Powered by AI
The Mercedes A-Class Sedan is the first Mercedes-Benz vehicle to feature the groundbreaking MBUX – Mercedes-Benz User Experience multimedia system. This system utilizes Artificial Intelligence to learn user habits and preferences, creating a personalized and intuitive connection between the driver, passengers, and the vehicle.
MBUX key features include:
- Artificial Intelligence Learning: The system adapts to user behavior, providing increasingly relevant suggestions and anticipating needs over time.
- High-Resolution Widescreen Cockpit: Offers crisp and clear graphics for all display functions.
- Touchscreen Media Display with Augmented Reality: Provides intuitive touch controls and, in some configurations, augmented reality overlays for navigation and other functions.
- Digital Instrument Cluster Display: Offers customizable digital gauges and vehicle information displays.
- Intelligent Voice Control with Natural Speech Recognition: Activated by “Hey Mercedes,” allowing for natural and conversational voice commands.
- Comprehensive Touch-Control Concept: MBUX can be controlled via touchscreen, touchpad on the center console, and Touch Control Buttons on the steering wheel, offering multiple input methods for user preference.
- Optional Head-Up Display: Projects key driving information onto the windshield within the driver’s line of sight, enhancing safety and convenience.
MBUX revolutionizes in-car interaction with emotionally appealing 3D graphics and intuitive control structures, setting a new benchmark for user experience in the automotive industry.
INTELLIGENT DRIVE: Safety and Assistance Systems from the S-Class
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan benefits from advanced driver assistance systems, many of which are derived from the flagship S-Class. For the first time in a compact Mercedes-Benz, semi-autonomous driving capabilities are available in certain situations.
Key Intelligent Drive features include:
- Enhanced Camera and Radar Systems: Provide a long-range view of the traffic situation (up to 1500 feet or 500 meters), enabling more proactive and responsive assistance systems.
- Map and Navigation Data Integration: Systems utilize map and navigation data to anticipate road conditions and driving situations.
- Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC®: Can proactively adjust speed based on route information, such as approaching bends, junctions, or roundabouts, providing route-based driving support.
- Active Emergency Stop Assist and Active Lane Change Assist: Available as part of the Driver Assistance Package, these systems enhance safety and reduce driver workload in critical situations.
Standard safety features are also comprehensive:
- Active Brake Assist (Standard): As mentioned previously, helps prevent or mitigate collisions with vehicles ahead and can detect pedestrians and cyclists.
- Active Lane Keeping Assist: Warns the driver if unintentionally drifting out of lane and can actively steer the vehicle back into its lane under certain conditions.
- PRE-SAFE® PLUS: Can detect imminent rear-end collisions and, if the vehicle is stationary, apply the brakes to minimize secondary collisions and injuries.
Passive Safety: Robust Construction and Modern Restraint Systems
The Mercedes A-Class Sedan is the first Mercedes-Benz model developed in the new Technology Centre for Vehicle Safety (TFS). The vehicle’s structure is engineered based on real-world accident research, with each component designed to withstand specific loads and stresses. The use of high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel is extensive, contributing to a highly rigid and protective passenger compartment.
Key passive safety features include:
- Highly Rigid Passenger Compartment: Extensive use of high-strength steels provides exceptional rigidity in various collision scenarios, including frontal, side, rear, and rollover accidents.
- Comprehensive Airbag System: Standard driver and front passenger airbags, driver’s knee airbag, and window airbags (covering the A-pillar for enhanced protection). Thorax-pelvis side airbags are standard in the front and optional for the rear.
- Seat Belt Technology: Driver and front passenger seats equipped with three-point seat belts with belt force limiters and tensioners.
LED Intelligent Light System: Superior Visibility
The optional LED Intelligent Light System further exemplifies the transfer of technology from Mercedes-Benz luxury models to the compact class. This system provides electronically controlled and precise adjustment of the headlamps to optimize illumination for various driving conditions.
Key features of the LED Intelligent Light System:
- Individually Actuated LEDs: Each headlamp utilizes multiple LEDs that can be individually controlled for optimal beam distribution and adaptation to traffic situations.
- Daylight-Color LEDs: Provide a bright and natural light that is easier on the eyes and can improve driver concentration.
- Precise and Bright Illumination: Ensures excellent visibility of the road ahead.
- Standard LED Headlamps: The A-Class Sedan comes standard with LED headlamps and integrated LED Daytime Running Lamps.
Suspension: Agile and Comfortable Handling
The Mercedes A-Class Sedan offers a choice of suspension systems to cater to different driving preferences:
- Comfort Suspension (Standard): Provides a balanced ride for everyday driving.
- Lowered Comfort Suspension with AMG Line: Offers a slightly firmer and more sporty ride, paired with the AMG Line styling.
- Adaptive Suspension (Optional): Allows drivers to adjust suspension settings for a customized balance of comfort and sportiness.
The front axle features a McPherson strut design, while the rear axle utilizes a multi-link setup, contributing to both agile handling and ride comfort. Wheel sizes range from 17 to 19 inches, allowing for further customization of the vehicle’s appearance and driving dynamics.
Production: Global Manufacturing Network
Production of the Mercedes A-Class Sedan began in 2018 in Aguascalientes, Mexico, at the COMPAS (Cooperation Manufacturing Plant Aguascalientes) plant. This joint venture with the Renault-Nissan Alliance expands Mercedes-Benz’s compact car production network to five locations across three continents.
Production also commenced in 2019 at the Mercedes-Benz Rastatt Plant in Germany, the lead plant for compact car production within the global network. Rastatt oversees global production control, quality management, and supplier management, and supports start-ups at other plants through employee training and other services.
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan represents a significant addition to the Mercedes-Benz lineup, offering a compelling blend of luxury, technology, safety, and driving dynamics in a stylish and practical compact sedan. It is poised to attract new customers to the brand and solidify Mercedes-Benz’s leadership in the premium automotive market.
