The new A-Class: Interior Design

Modern Luxury  

Short version: The interior design of the new A-Class

Modern luxury redefined

The A-Class hatchback will join Mercedes-Benz Canada's fleet of next generation compact cars for the first time in 2018. While its exterior may remain under wraps, the car's revolutionary interior has already set new standards in its segment. A feeling of spaciousness, unique architecture, and an avantgarde dashboard set this compact dynamo apart from the competition.

As the latest of the new generation of compact cars to be introduced by Mercedes-Benz Canada, the A-Class will ensure the brand's appeal continues to grow among a younger audience. The interior of the A‑Class completely redefines modern luxury which, coupled with its everyday practicality, make it as youthful as it is grown-up.

"The new A-Class embodies the next stage in our design philosophy of sensual purity, and has the potential to usher in a new design era," says Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Daimler AG. "The interior offers modern luxury at a level previously unattainable in this class, and transports the user interface into the digital age."

The interior architecture and the control and display systems of the new A-Class are a unique selling proposition in this segment. The dashboard is divided into two three-dimensional, horizontal sections: the lower section appears to float in front of the main dashboard, from which it is separated by a "trench". Optional ambient lighting enhances this effect, accentuating the free-floating appearance of the base.

The standard widescreen cockpit is completely freestanding, and for the first time there are no cowls above the instruments. Sporty, galvanized air vents that resemble turbines are another highlight.

With other details, the A-Class takes its lead from luxury Mercedes-Benz models –the multifunctional steering wheel which comes from the S-Class, for example. The trim elements are arranged in a "wrap-around" design, and the choice of materials (e.g. open-pore wood) underscores the vehicle's progressive, high-quality positioning.

The interior has a feeling of spaciousness, all-round visibility and space. The luggage compartment behind the rear seats is suitable for family and recreational use, and has a capacity of 370L.

Interior and seats

Interior revolution
In 2018, the A-Class hatchback will join Mercedes-Benz Canada's fleet of next generation compact cars for the first time. While its exterior may remain under wraps, the car's revolutionary interior has already set new standards in its segment. A feeling of spaciousness, unique architecture, and an avantgarde dashboard set this compact dynamo apart from the competition. For the first time, there are no cowls above the instruments, which allows the wing-shaped main body of the dashboard to form an unbroken visual line between the two front doors. Other highlights include the freestanding widescreen cockpit and sporty air vents that have been designed to resemble turbines.

The interior architecture and the control and display systems of the new A-Class are a unique selling proposition in this segment. The dashboard is divided into two three-dimensional, horizontal sections: the lower section appears to float in front of the main dashboard, from which it is separated by a "trench". Optional ambient lighting enhances this effect, accentuating the free-floating appearance of the base.

The turbine-inspired air vents are positioned on the lower section of the dashboard, as is the completely freestanding widescreen display, which is available in two versions: with two 7-inch (17.78 cm) or two 10.25-inch (26.04 cm) displays. Mercedes-Benz uses bonded glass technology for the latter. The cockpit's clean line is created in part by the way in which the air conditioning display has been integrated into the central screen. The air conditioning is controlled by the horizontal rocker switches of the A/C operating unit or via the corresponding on-screen menu.

The omission of a cockpit cowl allows the main body of the dashboard and its trim to extend smoothly from one front door to the other behind the "free-floating" widescreen. The trim elements are arranged in a "wrap-around" design, and the choice of materials (e.g. open-pore wood) underscores the vehicle's progressive, high-quality positioning.

The look of the five round turbine-like air vents has been inspired by the world of aviation. Finely designed air vanes in a concentric array create the impression of a jet aircraft turbine. The air vents in the middle are driver-oriented, and accentuate the sportiness of the interior.

The centre panel of the door transitions seamlessly into the armrest, emphasizing the car's sensual, flowing design principle. The newly designed 3‑spoke steering wheel, door handles, centre console and seats follow a modern design idiom. The distinctive ring-shaped, enclosed grab/door-pull handle is particularly ergonomic.

Ambient lighting: Avantgarde light pattern
When it comes to ambient lighting, the A-Class driver may choose from among 64 colours. This emotive presentation is the benchmark in the segment: the different colours are arranged into ten colour themes that allow for a spectacular, avantgarde lighting display.

The colour themes can be matched to the different styles of the widescreen display if required, creating a harmonious overall impression. Customers can also activate individual lighting effects.

The avantgarde ambient lighting was already taken into consideration in an early development phase, and was thoroughly integrated into the interior design. This is apparent in the area where the upper and lower sections of the dashboard come together, for example. Thanks to a combination of indirect and direct lighting, a very special ambience is created, one which might be compared to the night-time illumination of an historic building. The interiors of the turbine-like, galvanized air vents are likewise revealed by the ambience lighting.

The interior lighting uses only long-lasting, energy-saving LED technology.

Seats: Comfort features from higher vehicle classes
When developing the seats for the A-Class, Mercedes-Benz used computer-based comfort simulation for the first time in the compact segment. This allowed reliable prognoses to be made about the comfort of the seating system before the first real seat was ever made. The rear seats have a 40/20/40 split, and the backrests can be folded down accordingly.

Short interview

"Major step towards the avantgarde"
Three questions for Hartmut Sinkwitz, Head of Interior Design. The 51-year-old studied industrial design and joined Mercedes-Benz in 1995.

Mr. Sinkwitz, Is the radically new interior design of the new A-Class intended to create a corresponding "wow" effect among a younger audience?

Sinkwitz: Well, you haven't seen the exterior design yet (laughs), and here too, we are immediately conveying sportiness and modernity with a minimalist, surface-accentuated design with reduced lines and joints. But you are right: The interior of the new A-Class is a major step towards the avantgarde, and unique especially with respect to the open space architecture and the ultra-modern display and control concept. It lends a new quality to the term "modern luxury" in the compact segment, and is an inner revolution.

The dashboard layout is a special feature of the cockpit…

Sinkwitz: …yes, that's correct. Thanks to the visual separation of the lower section from the main body of the dashboard, the former appears to float in front of the dashboard. At the same time, the A-Class is the first series-production model to dispense completely with a classic cockpit shroud. This literally places the large widescreen cockpit with its bonded glass technology in the forefront. Moreover, there is no longer a display in the A/C control panel, as the visual representation is exclusively via the central display. This helped us to realise our clean, minimalist and compact design approach.

What is your personal highlight in the interior?

Sinkwitz: In view of the wealth of inspired design solutions, that is not so easy to say. But I am proud of the ambient lighting, a unique feature in this segment, which creates a very special lighting mood with its variety of colours, themes and a combination of direct and indirect lighting. This only became possible to this extent because we considered the interior lighting before even putting pen to paper.

Luggage compartment and all-round visibility

Fully grown-up
Even though the A-Class has a sporty aesthetic, it also has considerable utility value. Clear benefits include impressive shoulder, elbow and headroom for its size, plus easy access to the family- and recreation-friendly luggage compartment at the rear. It also features good all-round visibility, which enhances both safety and the impression of spaciousness.

The capacity of the luggage compartment behind the rear seats is 370L. The developers of the new A-Class attached particular importance to utility and loading convenience and, during an early conceptual phase, virtually tested the luggage compartment with an extensive shopping basket.

This virtual shopping basket contained more than 70 different items. Loading them was simulated by using the CAD data of the vehicle and items; where necessary, the design of the luggage compartment was fine-tuned. The result is that not only can a wheelchair be accommodated in the trunk of the A-Class, but a bicycle can be as well, provided its wheels are stowed separately. One golf bag can also be carried if the luggage cover is installed; two if it has been removed.

The stowage concept is equally practical: the storage tray in the centre console can accommodate items such as a smartphone, wallet, keys or a garage door opener. A dual cup holder on the centre tunnel can hold mugs, cans and bottles of up to 0.5L. The cup holder insert is removable, making further stowage space available. The compact owner's manual is housed in a separate flap in the glove compartment.

Up to 1.5L bottles or magazines can be stowed in the front door pockets. The rear door panels have bottle holders for 1-litre  bottles.

All-round visibility for safety and comfort

Much effort has also gone into creating good all-round visibility for the A-Class, which reduces the risk of overlooking vehicles or pedestrians when turning, changing lanes or parking. This was principally achieved by focussing on creating slim A, B and C-pillars and their claddings. Visibility is also assured by the position of the exterior mirrors on the door outer panels rather than in the mirror triangle.

A clear view to the rear of the vehicle is ensured by the rear window wiper. To create a significant wiped area, space for a long wiper blade has been created in the inner recess of the housing of the roof spoiler.

Comfortable interior dimensions

The A-Class not only has a sense of spaciousness but delivers passenger comfort as well.

About Mercedes-Benz Canada
Mercedes-Benz Canada is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG passenger vehicles, Mercedes-Benz Vans and smart. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. employs approximately 1,700 people in 21 locations across Canada. Through a nationwide network of 11 Mercedes-Benz owned retail operations and 48 authorized dealerships, Mercedes-Benz Canada sold 52,298 vehicles in 2017. This represents the best year ever for the company and has positioned Mercedes-Benz as the top luxury manufacturer in Canada for the fourth consecutive year.

For more information, please contact:

JoAnne Caza                416-847-7550             joanne.caza@mercedes-benz.ca
Sinead Brown               416-847-7588             sinead.brown@mercedes-benz.ca

Further information from Mercedes-Benz Canada is available at www.media.mercedes-benz.ca.