2005 Mercedes Review

Specifications

Would Canada Embrace the A-Class?

With Americas fuel prices much higher this year than at any time previous, most new car buyers have added fuel economy onto their shopping lists beside styling, interior seating capacity and performance.

To address this need automakers such as Mazda and Honda are in the process of bringing subcompact models to market, while premium compact brand MINI continues to do well. Currently most entry-level brands have announced or at least are talking about entering new models into the North American subcompact segment, this while large SUV sales are gradually decreasing. Its news enough to make a militant environmentalist fire a few rounds in the air as a token symbol of victory. Well… maybe not, but its a move in the right direction.

Being that Mercedes-Benz is already preparing to launch the smart brand in the U.S. with the introduction of the forfour, the A-Class most likely wont be coming across the Atlantic. While its about as far away from any Americans idea of what a Mercedes-Benz should be, the premise of a truly high-end, luxuriously equipped subcompact is interesting to consider. While it might not fit into the three-pointed star brands North American image yet, there may come a time when something similar will be exactly what the market is craving.

Even in Europe where the A-Class has been on the market for one generation already, its styling, shape and general purpose doesnt really fit inline with its Mercedes-Benz siblings. Its powertrain, chassis and just the fact that it uses front wheel drive separate it even further from the rest of its family members.

On the outside the A is small enough to be a C-segment Golf-beater, but its nameplate, badge and available options put it clearly above the popular peoples car. Still, ever since its debut Mercedes-Benz has struggled in its attempts to turn the A-Class into sales success. Its bout of infamy upon failing Europes Elk avoidance tests (no Im not joking) gave it a negative name, while its odd styling and layout brought mixed reviews from the general public. For its second incarnation, Benz has taken the time to get things right, curing all with a brand new A-Class (model name W169, one up from the last-generation W168) for 2005.

With 1.1 million A-Classes sold since its introduction, Benz has had some serious time to rethink and reengineer its smallest vehicle (not including the smart fortwo). The second generation A starts out with a brand new design, which features very similar characteristics to the first generation car. Having assigned its best to the task of engineering a safe, compact chassis, it would make little sense for Mercedes to put aside the brilliant sandwich floor that helped improve passive safety and enhance cabin room in the first place. Different with the new A-Class is its standardized proportions. There will no longer be a regular wheelbase and long wheelbase model, but instead one length will have to satisfy everyone. The new car works out to be slightly larger than the outgoing standard model, at 9.1 inches longer, 1.8 inches wider, with a wheelbase thats 5.7 inches longer. Marginally larger on the outside, the real benefits will be felt inside the car. Now, a total of 3.8 inches more shoulder room, 3.7 inches additional elbow room and 1.2 inches more rear legroom will accommodate driver and passengers in greater comfort.

There are two major advancements to take note of with the W169s chassis, both of which have to do with the cars suspension. In order to prevent getting egg on their collective faces by losing valuable money and reputation, Mercedes engineers revised the suspension system with mechanical active dampers. In back, the trailing arms have been replaced with a parabolic axle. A curved tube links the rear wheels together, and its all attached to a center point in front of the wheels. Watts links take care of any lateral movement of the suspension.

The aforementioned active dampers use no electronics or computers, but rather are “stroke sensitive” meaning that the larger the bump is, the more firmly the suspension system will damp. The result: high speed cornering should be flat while minor bumps on the road shouldnt be felt. Together with the stronger chassis and wider tires, body roll has reportedly been reduced, while stability has been improved without sacrificing ride comfort. Steering is executed via a pure electric system for fuel efficiency and easy of driving.

The new A-Class is definitely an A-Class, theres no mistaking it. The previous seven year run has reflected on the new car without skipping a beat, especially noticeable in its monobox body style. Its true, there are some changes in detail, such as the continuous line which traces the front end to the windshield (mainly there to allow this shape of vehicle to pass mandatory EuroNCAP pedestrian crash protection ratings) and sharper-looking headlamps, but its an evolution in style rather than the revolution the first generation made. Around back, triangular taillamps have made their comeback, but dont mistake the black segment that mirrors the top of the light is glass as its only moulded plastic.

Being that there will be no stretched LWB model, Benz has added in a new body style to the A-Class line to fill the gap. A three-door model, the first ever, will be introduced alongside the five-door. As a sporty alternative, its styling is edgier and sharper than the suave five-door family variant.

A total of seven engines will be available to A-Class customers when the range is complete. Because the car is slightly heavier but also more sorted, Mercedes is confident that it can accept larger displacement engines. Therefore the base designation has been bumped up to A150 reflecting a larger engine that now makes 95 horsepower, replacing the outgoing 80 horsepower A140. Other models include an A170 with 115 horsepower, replacing the 106 horsepower A160, and an A200 with 136 horsepower taking over for the outgoing 125 horsepower A190. The gemstone of the range will be a turbocharged version of the A200s motor, producing 193 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque, a vast improvement over the so-called hot-hatch A210 Evolution. As for diesels, three will be available ranging from the A160 CDI with 82 horsepower, an A180 CDI with 109 horsepower and a 140 horsepower A200 CDI. These
diesels are quieter, smoother and more efficient second generation CDI engines. Each also features particle filters to appease environmental concerns. Transmission choices are between a six-speed manual gearbox, or the new Autotronic CVT with seven-preset ratios and a torque converter.

Mercedes-Benz has really stepped up the quality of the new A-Class as well. Finished more like a C or E-Class than the outgoing model, all plastic surfaces are nicely grained to premium levels. Detailing such as padded door panels, high-grade leather trim plus smooth-action push buttons and switches complete the cars top-tier image. Accordingly, the A-Class scores very high in the TAF factor (Touch And Feel).

Of course, the A-Class just wouldnt be a proper Benz if it werent for a high-end options list, and therefore this car lavishes with an available four-panel sunroof, bi-xenon headlamps, Benzs new APS Command navigation system, and Luxury Climate Control, which takes into account humidity, the suns position, outside temperature and air pollutants via exterior sensors.

Meanwhile, the A-Class also sports the German automakers new Easy-Vario-Plus seating system. Aside from allowing the seats to fold flat, if extra room is required one of the rear seat cushions can be removed and stored under the trunk floor. If needed, both seat cushions can be removed (albeit not stored in the vehicle) for an even more accommodating cargo capacity.

Like the previous A-Class, the new model will come equipped with plenty of passive and active safety features, including stability control, ABS brakes with brake force distribution, side and thorax airbags, as well as active head restraints. Its strong structure, in concert with the previously mentioned sandwich floor, should lead the A-Class to a five star crash test rating.

At the end of its seven year run and the beginning of a new small car era, the new A-Class features change almost exclusively for the better. Having addressed the areas that were lacking, such as a set of unenthusiastic engines, a choppy ride and a chassis reluctant to perform, the redesigned subcompact appears ready to reclaim its rightful place as top dog among microcars.

In terms of the future, the A-Class will continue as a more effective tool to lure buyers into the three-pointed star family. With increased quality, it will finally appeal to those who want the luxury and high-tech features of a Mercedes-Benz but not necessarily the higher fuel costs and poor emissions ratings associated with larger cars. The three-door hatch will also help bring Benz closer to the premium compact hatchback market that will soon be filled with the likes of the 1-Series, and is already populated by Audi A3s and Volkswagen Golfs. For these reasons the new A-Class should be a much greater success, carrying on Benzs foray into the compact car market.

Will that foray eventually make it to America? Well, the U.S. market would probably not be as accepting than that north of the 49th parallel, being that fuel prices are much higher up there and expendable income about 30 percent lower. So dont hold your breath. As intriguing as the A-Class is, there are no plans to bring it to North America. That said the A-Class-based CST, a smaller version of the R-Class (GST) crossover, was announced to be on its way during the 2006 smart brand preview by Paul Halata, president of Mercedes-Benz of North America, at the Los Angeles auto show at the beginning of this year. Until then, the C230 Kompressor Sport Coupe will remain as Mercedes-Benz smallest and least expensive North American entry.