The A-Class, global benchmark in the compact class, is coming to Canada

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Hatchback is as youthful and dynamic as it is grown-up and comfortable, and it will finally be coming to Canada later this year. This new A-Class completely redefines and revolutionizes modern luxury and interior design in the compact class. The Hatchback's many technological advances set new standards in its segment, and include MBUX – Mercedes-Benz User Experience, a multimedia system whose artificial intelligence makes it unique in its ability to learn.

"With the new A-Class, we are redefining modern luxury in the compact class. To do this, we have opted for a combination of uncompromisingly dynamic design and an intuitive operating concept," says Britta Seeger, the member of the Daimler AG Board of Management responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars sales. "With MBUX – the new Mercedes-Benz User Experience – we are creating a completely new customer experience."

"New technologies must place the focus on people and on making their lives easier. The new A-Class does this in many ways, and becomes an emotional and intelligent companion," says Ola Källenius, the member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars. "One good example is MBUX, which combines intuitive and natural operation with intelligent, learning software."

"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. "With clear contours and sensual surfaces, we present advanced technologies that awaken emotions. Form and body are what remain when creases and lines are reduced to the extreme. The interior represents modern luxury at a level previously unattained in this class, and translates intelligent technology into an emotional overall experience."

"With the introduction of the A-Class Hatchback, we are further expanding our already extensive product portfolio to offer yet another outstanding compact class to our Canadian customers," says Brian D. Fulton, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada. "Hailed globally as the benchmark in its compact class, the A-Class' cutting-edge technology, design and performance mean Canadian drivers have a lot to look forward to when we bring the next generation A-Class Hatchback to our market. Our U.S. colleagues have already confirmed that they will only sell the sedan version of the A-Class. Both hatchback and sedan versions will be available in Canada; we will share more information about the sedan later this year."

Exterior design: Elegant simplicity

The clean, surface-accentuating exterior design of the new A-Class is the next step in the Mercedes-Benz design philosophy of Sensual Purity, which is characterized by optimized dimensions and proportions.

The exterior of the new A-Class reflects sportiness, dynamism and emotion. Its progressive front design includes a low hood, flat LED headlamps with chrome elements and torch-like daytime driving lamps creates a compelling look that strikes an emotional chord. An eye-catching radiator grille comprises a three-pointed star whose silhouette opens out towards the base, pins arranged in a diamond design, and a central silver louvre that underlines the model's sportiness.

Visually, the vehicle is lengthened by a character line along its side, while the "shark-nose" sloping design of the hood emphasizes its upright front. The wheel arches, which can accommodate 17 to 18-inch wheels, underscore the sportiness of the new A-Class and make it sit more squarely on the road. The vehicle's rear is given a wide appearance thanks to a high greenhouse which also emphasizes its shoulders, as well as the widely-spaced reflectors in its modular, two-section rear bumper. Slim, two-section taillights create a compelling visual effect.

Interior design: A revolution from within

The interior of the new A-Class features a modern, avant-garde look. Mercedes-Benz has taken a completely new approach, revolutionizing the compact class from the inside with a new feeling of spaciousness. This impression is aided by a panoramic sliding sunroof, which for the first time is a standard feature in one of the brand's compact cars.

The vehicle's unique interior architecture is shaped in particular by the innovative design of the dashboard: for the first time, a cowl above the cockpit has been completely removed. As a result, the wing-shaped main body of the dashboard extends from one front door to the other without visual interruption. The Widescreen display is completely free-standing. Sporty, turbine-like air vents are another highlight.

The dashboard is divided into two three-dimensional, horizontal sections: the lower section is separated from the main body of the dashboard by a "trench", and appears to float in front of it. The optional 64-colour ambient lighting enhances this effect, accentuating the free-floating impression of the base. The emotive presentation also sets standards in this segment: the different colours are composed into ten colour worlds to allow an avant-garde lighting display with spectacular colour changes. The free-standing display is available with either two 7-inch displays (17.78 cm), or two 10.25-inch displays (26.04 cm).

MBUX - Mercedes-Benz User Experience: Unrivalled experience

The new A-Class is the first Mercedes-Benz model to feature MBUX - Mercedes-Benz User Experience – the completely new multimedia system that also ushers in a new era in connectivity, and includes Mercedes me connect services. A unique feature of this system is its ability to learn thanks to artificial intelligence. MBUX is customizable and adapts to suit the user, thus creating an emotional connection between the vehicle, driver, and passengers.

The driver is able to use the available smartphone integration to incorporate an iPhone® into the vehicle via Apple CarPlay™, and/or Android smartphones via Android Auto. These may be operated by voice control and, in some cases, via the vehicle controls. The smartphone connection offers access to up-to-date software as well as data such as navigation and traffic information, streaming media and Internet radio, in addition to contact data, telephony and messaging. To prevent driver distraction, there is no complete duplication of smartphone content.

Other strengths include the high-resolution Widescreen cockpit whose media display has touchscreen capabilities, the navigation display with augmented reality technology, and intelligent voice control with natural speech recognition, which is activated with the code words "Hey Mercedes". A head-up display is also available. The touchscreen is part of the comprehensive MBUX touch-control concept, which is a triad consisting of the touchscreen, touchpad on the centre console, and touch control buttons in the steering wheel.

MBUX is a revolution of the in-car user experience. Appealing features underscore the simplicity of the control structure, and thrill through brilliant 3D maximum-resolution graphics which are calculated and displayed in real time.

Spaciousness and seating

Despite its sporty look, the new A-Class Hatchback has considerable utility value. Clear benefits include ample shoulder and headroom, plus easier access to the rear and a large, family- and recreation-friendly luggage compartment.
The capacity of the luggage compartment behind the rear seats is 370 litres. Equally practical are a large stowage compartment in the centre console and cup holders for mugs, cans and bottles of up to 0.5 litres.

Two different front seats are available for the new A-Class: the standard comfort seat and the sporty integral seat, which is available as part of the Sport package.

Quiet running: Strength in serenity

Quiet, vibration-free driving characteristics are a major factor in the grown-up, premium driving impression made by the new A‑Class. The bodyshell itself plays a decisive role in delivering a peaceful ride, as do effective insulation of the suspension from the vehicle body and aeroacoustic measures. During the development of the A-Class, particular attention was paid to high overall structural rigidity and the connecting points between the body, suspension and powertrain. The comprehensive noise insulation concept of the new A-Class includes components such as the air and coolant management systems, trim parts in the interior that have been configured to improve noise protection, and minimization of wind noises.

Intelligent Drive:

The new A-Class features the very latest driving assistance systems with cooperative driver support, and comes with extended Active Brake Assist as standard. Depending on the situation, this can effectively help to prevent or mitigate the consequences of rear-end collisions with slower-moving, stopping or stationary vehicles ahead, and even with crossing pedestrians and cyclists.

The new A-Class is also the first Mercedes-Benz model to have been developed at the new Technology Centre for Vehicle Safety (TFS). The design of the vehicle structures incorporates findings from research into real accidents. Every single bodyshell component was developed according to the loads and stresses that were identified during those tests: geometry, material thickness, joining technology and material quality (the A-Class includes an increased proportion of high-strength and ultra high-strength sheet steel) were all taken into account.

The centrepiece of the body's safety concept is the highly rigid passenger cell. Its great rigidity when subjected to accident-induced stress (e.g. in frontal, lateral or rear-end collisions and rollovers) is above all due to the greater use of high-strength, ultra high-strength and press-hardened sheet steel in its creation.

The driver and front passenger each have a three-point seat belt with belt force limiter and belt tensioner. Both of the outer rear seats are fitted with a seat belt that includes a reel tensioner and belt force limiter. The new A-Class is equipped with driver and front passenger airbags, a driver's kneebag, and windowbags as standard. Unlike in many competing models, the windowbag also covers the A-pillar for more complete passenger protection. Thorax-pelvis sidebags are likewise standard in the front.

MULTIBEAM LED headlamps: optimum visibility in all conditions

The optional MULTIBEAM LED headlamps are another example of the technology transfer from the luxury to the compact class. These allow for extremely quick and precise electronically controlled adjustments of the headlamps to suit the current traffic situation. 18 individually actuated LEDs are housed in each headlamp. The daylight-like light colour of the LEDs is easy on the eyes and has a positive effect on concentration, and precisely and brightly illuminates the road ahead. As standard, the new A-Class is equipped with LED High Performance headlamps with integrated LED daytime driving lamps.

New, efficient gasoline engine

The A-Class comes with a 7G-DCT dual clutch transmission and is powered by a new, efficient engine. The M 260 has a displacement of 2.0 litres, 221 hp and 258 lb-ft. New standard features include CAMTRONIC for the intake camshaft, a particulate filter, and a fuel tank that has a capacity of 51 litres.

The new A-Class is available with the sporty 4MATIC all-wheel system with fully variable torque distribution, which has been developed to offer even more driving pleasure and efficiency. More than ever, the driver is now able to influence 4MATIC characteristics by using the DYNAMIC SELECT switch. 4MATIC components include the power take-off to the rear axle, which is integrated into the automated dual clutch transmission, and the rear axle differential with an integrated multiplate clutch.

Suspension: Agile and comfortable

As standard, the new A-Class is equipped with a comfort suspension with steel springs and DYNAMIC SELECT. It features a McPherson front suspension and a sophisticated four-link rear suspension. The rear axle is mounted on a subframe that is isolated from the bodyshell by rubber bushings, so that fewer vibrations are transferred from the suspension to the body. The proportion of aluminum in the suspension components is one of the highest in any suspension system in this vehicle class.

The A-Class features 17-inch wheels as standard equipment.

Technical specifications

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