Mercedes-Benz to launch new A-Class Sedan later this year
Mercedes-Benz fans interested in getting into a starter model have a fresh choice with the introduction of A-Class Sedan in Canada, announced just a couple of weeks ago. The four door is joining a hatchback by the same name and is set to officially debut at the Paris Motor Show in the fall.
“Things at Mercedes-Benz are happening quickly with regard to the new family of compacts. In response to the wishes of many customers, for the first time we are now offering the A-Class as a sedan,” said Britta Seeger, Daimler AG Board of Management member.” Anyone looking for a compact, sporty sedan now has a new attractive option. It will enable us to win new customers for Mercedes-Benz.”
The sedan has a simple and clean design aesthetic, following the brand’s Sensual Purity philosophy that dictates surface areas have reduced lines and minimal gaps. The short front and rear overhangs, low sloped hood, chiselled wheel arches and 2,729-millimetre wheelbase give off an athletic appearance. So do the slim headlamp housings — boasting 18 individually-actuated LED bulbs each — mesh grille, two piece taillights and dual exhaust tips.
Despite the vehicle’s fairly low-key exterior, the cabin has an unconventional and rather futuristic setup. There’s no traditional dashboard cowl, or set of instrument cluster gauges. Instead, two floating widescreen digital panels (seven-inch units are standard, upgradeable to 10.25 inch) extend all the way to the centre stack. Below, the air vents resemble turbines, which, along with other sections of the interior, can be backlit in different hues if the available 64-colour ambient lighting package is equipped.
The A-Class is the first to feature the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, capable of learning and adapting to users’ preferences via built-in artificial intelligence. MBUX accepts voice commands, activated by saying the keyword “Hey Mercedes,” and a high-resolution navigation display utilizes augmented reality technology to relay directions.
To propel the car, a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder is used. Generating 188 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, the engine is mated to seven-speed automatic transmission. Consumers can choose between front or all-wheel drive. More information, including pricing, should be available in October.
