Stuttgart: Daimler brand, Mercedes-Benz will introduce new versions of the A-class sedans in two variants - the five-door Saloon and the three-door Coupé in completely upgraded versions. The new models were unveiled at the "Auto Mobil International" (AMI) motor show in Leipzig in April.

A-class has been among the bestsellers in the Mercedes-Benz passenger car range with more than 500,000 units produced around four years.

Termed as BlueEFFICIENCY vehicles, the new A-Class versions are attractive and environmentally compatible. The cars have been revamped, sporting a new youthful design and advanced technical developments, to enhance improve safety, comfort and economy.

A convenient ECO start-stop function, which reduces urban petrol consumption by up to nine percent, is now available for the high-volume models A 150 and A 170. For the three-door A 160 CDI Mercedes-Benz has developed an additional BlueEFFICIENCY package, which lowers the fuel consumption of the Coupé by more than eight per cent, to 4.5 litres per 100-kilo metres.

Other salient features include the sweeping lines of the newly designed headlamps, which harmoniously combine the front end and flanks. The redesigned front bumper reinforces this impression; its lower air intake is now much larger, emphasising the width of the body. The newly re designed radiator grille underlines the progressive aura of the A-Class.

When viewed from the side the different lines in the A-Class are distinguished by wheel designs. While the basic model is equipped with 15-inch wheels and seven-spoke wheel embellishers as standard, the higher trim levels, Elegance and Avant Garde are fitted with individually designed 16-inch light-alloy wheels.

The new, larger exterior mirror housings and door handles are now painted in the vehicle colour for all model variants. The previous side rubbings strips have been replaced by discreet chrome trim strips, which provide additional visual highlights in the Elegance and Avant Garde models.

The rear end of the A-Class is dominated by a modified bumper and newly designed rear light clusters, which extend well into the vehicle flanks. Both these features make the body appear wider and therefore more imposing. In the Elegance and Avant Garde models the rear bumper is embellished with additional, reflector-look trim strips and chrome inserts. The new, ergonomically improved tailgate handle is chrome-plated in both lines, as is the oval exhaust tailpipe. 

Mercedes designers paid particular attention to enhanced value when redesigning the interior, choosing new, high-grade upholstery fabrics and door linings. In the Elegance and Avant Garde lines the seats are upholstered in an attractive combination of Artico man-made leather and fabric, which is available in three colours.

In addition new decorative trim of smoke-grey, diagonally brushed aluminium enhances the interior of the Avant Garde line, while the dignified aura of the Elegance models is heightened by wood trim. All variants of the A-Class share a larger stowage compartment in the centre console and a newly designed cupholder between the front seats.

With fuel consumption between 4.9 and 8.1 litres per 100 kilo metres, the new-generation A-Class is a model of fuel economy. Thanks to detailed improvements, the fuel consumption of the state-of-the-art direct-injection diesel engines has been reduced by more than eight per cent.

The 160 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY is equipped with a manual transmission, with further improvements in engine efficiency, aerodynamics, rolling resistance, energy management and weight. The sum of these measures achieves a fuel saving of 0.4 litres, which means that the 160 CDI has an NEDC consumption of just 4.5 litres per 100 kilometres. As a result the CO2 emissions of the 60 kW/82 hp Coupé are 119 grams per kilo metre.

Like all the new 2008 Mercedes models, the A-Class is available with further improved information, communication, navigation and entertainment systems – in other words infotainment. There is a choice of four optional head units: Audio 5, Audio 20, Audio 50 APS and COMAND APS.

From Audio 20 these incorporate a radio with twin tuner, colour display, a Bluetooth interface for a mobile phone, a telephone keypad, a CD-player, automatic volume adjustment and a connection for external audio units in the glove compartment.

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