Sunday, September 16, 2012

The new Mercedes-Benz A-Class hits showrooms: Comprehensive accessory range accompanies market launch

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With the sporty compact model, Mercedes-Benz is opening a new chapter: the new A-Class is markedly emotive in design, with powerful engines ranging from 80 kW (109 hp) up to 155 kW (211 hp), extremely efficient with emissions from just 98 g of CO2/km, and boasts a best-in-class drag coefficient of 0.27 as well as exemplary safety. Furthermore, the standard specification includes, amongst other things, the radar-based COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST system. To mark the market launch on 15 September, sales partners will also be offering a comprehensive range of accessories, exceptional optional extras and also some lovingly detailed model cars.

"The new A-Class is the pulse of a new generation at Mercedes-Benz", stresses Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Cars responsible for Sales & Marketing. "We have taken the opportunity to design a completely new vehicle which sets standards in its segment." This also applies when it comes to environmental protection: on 6 September the new A-Class received its environmental certificate. This is awarded on the basis of a Life Cycle Assessment, in which the independent inspectors of TÜV Süd comprehensively analyse the environmental impact of the vehicle. Prior to the market launch on 15 September, the company has already received over 50,000 orders for the new A-Class (as at end of August).

Exceptional features are also offered by the original accessories, which set standards in terms of infotainment in particular with the Drive Kit Plus for the iPhone®, for example. Original accessories, the A-Class Launch Selection and the model car range are also available with immediate effect from Mercedes-Benz sales partners. Additional information on the range of accessories can be found by using the Accessories Configurator available at http://www.mercedes-benz-accessories.com, while additional extras and model cars can also be purchased online at http://shop.mercedes-benz.de .

A-Class range: extensive appointments, individual options

With air conditioning, Audio 5 USB, electric windows all round, Headlamp Assist and 12-button multifunction steering wheel, the A-Class is already fully equipped even in its base configuration. With "Urban", "Style" and "AMG Sport" appointment lines, three Design packages ("Night", "Exclusive" and "AMG Exclusive") as well as further optional extras, the model can be customised to suit every individual taste.

Available appointments, many familiar from higher vehicle classes, include the Intelligent Light System, electrically adjustable front seats with memory function or dashboard finished in ARTICO man-made leather (part of the Exclusive package). All three appointment lines feature front sports seats with integrated head restraints and contrasting stitching, and can be combined with all engine variants.

A-Class safety: the highest standard in the compact class

The A-Class is equipped as standard with a radar-based collision warning system with adaptive Brake Assist which lowers the risk of rear-end collisions. This COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST system is able to provide a visual and audible warning to alert a potentially distracted driver and can prepare Brake Assist for the most precise possible braking response. This is initiated as soon as the driver operates the brake pedal decisively. The ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection system also comes as standard. The PRE-SAFE® anticipatory occupant protection system is also available for the A-Class for the first time, while DISTRONIC PLUS adaptive cruise control is available as an option.

The A-Class protects its passengers with up to nine airbags. The standard complement comprises driver and front-passenger airbag, a kneebag for the driver, large thorax/pelvisbags incorporated in the seat to protect the chest, stomach and pelvis area and windowbags. These extend over both rows of seats and reach as far as the A-pillar triangle. Sidebags for the rear are optionally available.

A-Class drive system: a wide range of efficient, powerful engines

A wide choice of petrol and diesel engines meets every power requirement and reaches new heights in terms of efficiency and environmental compatibility: the A 180 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY will be the very first Mercedes-Benz to emit only 98 g of CO2 per kilometre. All engines of the new A-Class feature the ECO start/stop function as standard. The engines can be combined with the new six-speed manual transmission (A 180, A 180 CDI, A 200, A 200 CDI) or optionally with the 7G-DCT dual clutch automatic transmission (standard on the A 220 CDI and A 250/250 Sport).

The following is an overview of the model range:

A-Class accessories: tailor-made for the sporty compact model

The focus of the new accessory range lies on infotainment. The seamless integration of the iPhone® into the vehicle, in conjunction with the revolutionary user interface design, means that Mercedes-Benz is now able to offer the Facebook generation its natural home on four wheels in the guise of the new A-Class. The Drive Kit Plus for the iPhone® provides access to the Digital Drive Style app, developed in-house by Daimler. Highlights include the advanced navigation solution from Garmin®, with internet-based, real-time traffic information, online POI searches including Street View™ and 3D map display. Other functions include Facebook®, Twitter® and AUPEO!™ Personal Radio.

The new Mercedes-Benz telephone module with Bluetooth® (SAP)[1] also combines a whole host of multimedia functions. The telephone module with integrated UMTS module and a direct connection to the vehicle aerial helps to ensure that the COMAND Online system has a quick, stable and secure connection to the internet. Mercedes-Benz apps can be used at the same time as making phone calls, for example. The driver can have news summaries read out.

With dimensions specifically designed for compact vehicles such as the A-Class, the new roof box 400 is suitable for use with the innovative, model-specific Alustyle Quickfix basic carrier bars. With a 400-litre capacity, it is 70 cm wide and 40 cm high, yet only 190 cm in length: this enables the tailgate of the new A-Class to be opened even when the box is fitted to the vehicle. Special 80 cm-long handles made of anodised extruded aluminium facilitate opening and closing. The box itself weighs approx. 16 kg and has a load capacity of 75 kg.

The sporty appearance of the new A-Class can also be enhanced even further with the aid of the new accessory range. The MercedesSport range comprises, among other features, a spoiler lip for the front apron, a high-gloss black radiator grille, high-gloss black exterior mirror housings and waistline trim strips, a roof spoiler and diffuser-look rear apron trim. In addition, a variety of light-alloy wheels round off the original accessories range for the A-Class.

A-Class Selection: stylish accessories for fans of the A-Class

To coincide with the market launch of the new A-Class, Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH is presenting a series of stylish products reflecting the carefree attitude to life of the young and young-at-heart buyers of the sporty compact model.

Mercedes drivers wear hats, according to an old saying, and in the new A-Class they can now enjoy wearing some particularly fashionable examples: the products making up the new A-Class Selection include a trendy trilby hat made of black wool felt. Designed exclusively by hat specialist Stetson, the headwear incorporates a contrasting check pattern on its hatband taken from the pattern used on the sports seats of the A-Class, as offered in the "Urban" equipment line. It is available in sizes 56 and 58.

Also taking the seat pattern as its source of inspiration is the black men's polo shirt. It features the white check-pattern trim in the shoulder area of the front and back sections, while the rear of the neckband and collar are in the A-Class colour south seas blue. The buttons too are sewn on with thread in this colour, and the side slits are also appropriately embroidered. The polo shirt is made of 100 percent cotton piqué and comes in sizes S, M, L, XL and XXL.

With the contrasting check pattern on black nylon and an inner lining in south seas blue, the shoulder bag and smartphone sleeve also combine two features of the new A-Class. Both items bear the Mercedes-Benz star logo stud.

Finished in the vehicle colour monolith grey, the stylish clutch bag can be combined with almost any outfit. This man-made leather women's handbag features a star logo stud on the zip puller. It comes with a removable shoulder strap.

With its south seas blue aluminium bezel, the wrist watch picks up on another popular colour used in the new A-Class. The sporty 3-dial watch has a strap made of stainless steel and rubberised plastic with a matt/high-gloss finish, as well as a large date display.

The stainless steel A-Class keyring is a perfect 1:18-scale replica of an 18-inch wheel. Featuring the five-spoke design typical of the model, the wheel is attached to the flat split ring via a chain. Three small split rings make it easy to remove and swap out keys.

Jupiter red, monolith grey or south seas blue? While buyers of the A-Class have to decide on a single exterior paint finish, the 3-piece nail varnish set allows female drivers to choose a different nail colour each day. Comprising three original vehicle colours, the set is available in a dice gift box.

Cheers! Now you can make a stylish toast to the A-Class with the matching wine spritzer glasses. The platinum-coated glasses have been designed exclusively for Mercedes-Benz by Ritzenhoff and come as a pair in a gift box.

Just as sporty and chic as the new A-Class is the charm bracelet. The double braided bracelet is made of black cowhide and has a toggle closure. The three charms – an open Mercedes star, a disco ball with CRYSTALLIZED™ Swarovski elements and a stylised cocktail glass – are made of stainless steel.

The A-Class in miniature: compact, more compact and the most compact

The new A-Class is also set to hit the display cases of model collectors in three scales – 1:18, 1:43 and 1:87. Produced in cooperation with model car specialists Norev, Schuco and Herpa, the miniature models feature highly detailed designs based on original CAD data, come in original paint colours and are assembled by hand.

The A-Class from Norev is reproduced in a scale of 1:18 from more than 100 individual parts. Measuring around 24 centimetres in length, the model is made of zinc die-cast components. The doors, bonnet and tailgate can be opened, and the interior and luggage compartment floor are carpeted. The appointments are comprehensive: AMG Sports package equipment line, headlamps with Intelligent Light System, sports seats with integrated head restraints, privacy glass and AMG 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels. The model car is available in jupiter red, designo magno mountain grey and cirrus white. A pair of gloves is included. The model car is also available as the A 250 Sport in polar silver and with the diamond grille, in the same scale and to the same level of detail.

Somewhat smaller is the A-Class from Schuco. The scale of 1:43 results in a model car length of 9.8 centimetres. The zinc die-cast model consists of more than 50 individual parts and comes in a choice of paint colours: cirrus white, cosmos black and south seas blue. The appointment details include panoramic roof, ILS headlamps, sport seats and 5-twin-spoke aluminium rims. The Schuco model is supplied in a presentation case mounted on a printed pedestal.

The A-Class from Herpa comes in a scale of 1:87 and is available in jupiter red, night black and monolith grey. Measuring approximately 5.5 cm in length, the model car is made of plastic and consists of 25 individual parts, again including 5-twin-spoke aluminium rims. A presentation case and printed pedestal are also included with this collector's item.

Continuing success: the Mercedes-Benz A-Class

The A-Class has been a bestseller for a number of generations. Since its market launch in 1997, it has blazed a trail for a new vehicle class with its unique design, becoming a driving force in the compact car segment. So far a total of around 2.2 million examples of the A-Class have been sold. The second generation alone, which was launched in 2005, has sold more than a million examples.

The A-Class is enjoying particularly high demand among customers in Europe, with Germany ranking highest, followed by the UK, Italy and France

[1] Available from 4th quarter 2012. Only in conjunction with convenience telephony (Code 386).


Credits: Daimler AG

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