The development of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class: The drive system - High output, low consumption

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The beating heart of a new generation: the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class will create a sensation. Before deliveries to the European dealers commence in September 2012, Mercedes-Benz is providing a series of insights into major development aspects on the way to the market launch. This one concerns the powertrain.

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 will be the very first Mercedes-Benz to emit only 98 g of CO2 per kilometre. Moreover, the A 220 CDI is the first Mercedes to meet the Euro-6 emission standard which only comes into force in 2015. 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 or optionally with the 7G-DCT dual clutch automatic transmission, which ideally combines comfort and sportiness.

Up to 26 percent lower fuel consumption compared to comparable preceding models, accompanied by a considerable power increase: these are the salient features of the engine range for the new A-Class. Diesels: the new basic engine in the OM 607 series develops 80 kW (109 hp), delivers 260 Nm to the crankshaft and with a manual transmission consumes 3.8 litres per 100 km, corresponding to 98 g of CO2/km. This is a 22-percent improvement over the only 60 kW (82 hp) preceding model, the A 160 CDI, which consumed 4.9 litres. The new top diesel, the A 220 CDI, is no less than 25 percent better than its predecessor: it develops an output of 125 kW(170 hp) and 350 Nm of torque, and in combination with the 7G-DCT automatic dual clutch transmission it consumes only 4.3 litres/100 km (provisional figure). The figures for the precedingA 200 CDI were 103 kW (140 hp), 5.7 litres, 149 g of CO2.

A comparison between the new and previous A 200 demonstrates what has been achieved with the petrol engines: with 115 kW (156 hp) and 250 Nm of torque, the new engine delivers superior performance but consumes only 5.5 litres/100 km (129g CO2/km), which is 26 percent less than its predecessor (100 kW, 185 Nm, 7.4 l/100 km, 174 g CO2). Even the new top model with 7G-DCT, 155 kW (211 hp) and 350 Nm is considerably more efficient with a consumption of 6.1 litres and CO2 emissions of 143 g.

The completely new engines and transmissions are not the only decisive factors in this exemplary efficiency. Thanks to the modular system, the optimal transmission configurations could also be chosen. The overall package also includes progressive aerodynamics with a Cd figure of only 0.27, together with a number of other improvements.

"The new four-cylinder models from Mercedes-Benz occupy a peak position by virtue of their performance, high efficiency and very low emissions. They impress with their smooth, superior power delivery and offer customers refinement at the highest level," says Professor Thomas Weber, the member of the Daimler AG Executive Board responsible for corporate research and development at Mercedes-Benz Cars.

Credits: Daimler AG

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