since 1976
since 1976
CONNECTIVITY is the new byword in the automotive world today and this is increasingly becoming an essential part of one’s daily motoring experience. What’s more, the system is getting more involved in user experience with each new car coming into the market. An excellent example is the latest Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
Viewed as a ‘gadget-like’ automobile, the new A-Class is said to redefine functionalities with an intuitive approach to underline its lifestyle element. Not surprisingly, it is the first Mercedes-Benz model to feature this new ‘state-of-the-art’ Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX).
Mercedes-Benz says a unique feature of this multimedia system is its ability to learn with its artificial intelligence. The system recognises and understands almost every sentence occurring in the infotainment functions and vehicle operation. The MBUX could be individualised and adapted to each user. The touchscreen is a part of the comprehensive MBUX touch-control concept, described as a triad comprising the touchscreen, touchpad on the centre console and touch control buttons on the steering wheel.
As expected, the MBUX is equipped with an ‘intelligent voice control with natural language comprehension’ that could be activated by saying the words ‘Hey Mercedes’. This intelligent language assistant supports numerous infotainment functions such as destination input, phone call, music selection as well as climate control and lighting.
Yes, the latest A-Class has certainly come a long way since 1994 when it was introduced as an adaptation of a Japanese model. It has evolved to its current body styling from the third generation in 2012, a lower and sleeker profile that has evolved from the taller MPV-ish body of the two earlier generations.
The change was obvious as the A-Class needs to look the part to appeal to younger and more outgoing customers. The latest version continues to exude that youthful vigour but is now endowed with ‘intelligent’ gadgets to boost its appeal further.
Described as the next step in the Mercedes-Benz design philosophy of ‘Sensual Purity’, the exterior of the latest A-Class is said to stand for sportiness, dynamism and emotion. It definitely looks the part with the refreshed styling – a low bonnet, flat LED (light emitting diode) headlamps with chrome elements and torch-like daytime running lights – giving the new A-Class a shark-nose outline.
Stepping inside the latest A-Class, Mercedes-Benz says the interior is completely redefined with a modern, avant-garde look and a new ‘feeling of spaciousness’. Both the A 200 and A 250 that were launched comes with high-resolution Widescreen Cockpit with touchscreen control to set the standard in this segment. This is featured with an all-digital instrument display panel that could be switched to different styles from Classic, Understated or Sport mode to complement the turbine-look central air vents and leather multi-function steering wheel.
Added to that is the new interior ambient lighting system; you have a choice of 64 colours! These ambient lighting colours are composed into 10 colour worlds that allow an avant-garde lighting display with the colour changes. These colour worlds could be matched to the different style of the widescreen display when required to create a harmonious overall impression.
For the first time, the A-Class comes standard with the Keyless-Go function as well as ‘class-leading’ safety and assistance systems such as the Active Parking Assist; this system helps the driver search for a parking spot and helps manoeuvre the car in and out of the lot for both parallel and end-on parking.
Complementing its new looks are new efficient and powerful engines. The A 200 Progressive Line has a 1.3-litre in-line turbocharged four-cylinder engine that is not short of punch; it is rated at 120kW (163hp) at 5500rpm and 250Nm from 1600rpm to 4000rpm. It is mated to a 7G-DCT dual-clutch automatic transmission. The A 250 AMG Line has the more immediately recognisable 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at 165kW (224hp) at 5500rpm and 350Nm from 1800rpm to 4000rpm. It too has the 7G-DCT dual clutch automatic transmission.
In acceleration, Mercedes-Benz says the A 200 would sprint from 0 to 100km/h in 8.0 seconds and the A 250 in 6.2 seconds, quick enough to take your breath away. The top speed for the A 200 is a respectable 225km/h for a 1.3-litre powered car while the A 250’s top speed is 250km/h. When driven moderately, fuel consumption could be good too with as much as 19km/l for the A 200 and 16km/l for the A 250.
The well-connected A-Class models appear to be reasonably well priced at RM227,888 on the road without insurance (with 10 per cent SST) for the A 200 and RM263,888 for the A 250.
Mercedes Benz A-Class Data link here.
