New The New A-Class

New The New A-Class

The new A-Class is the first Mercedes-Benz model to feature the completely new multimedia system MBUX - Mercedes-Benz User Experience. A unique feature of this system is its ability to learn thanks to artificial intelligence. MBUX can be personalised and adapts to suit the user. It creates an emotional connection between the vehicle, driver and passengers. It also heralds a new era at Mercedes me Connectivity. Its further strengths include the high-resolution Widescreen Cockpit with touchscreen operation, navigation display with augmented reality technology plus intelligent voice control with natural speech recognition, which is activated with the keyword 鈥淗ey Mercedes鈥? The interior of the new A-Class is completely redefined with it's upgraded, modern look and a new feeling of spaciousness. The unique interior architecture is shaped in particular by the avant-garde design of the dashboard. For the first time a cowl above the cockpit has been completely dispensed with. As a result, the wing-shaped main body of the dashboard extends from one front door to the other with no visual discontinuity. The Widescreen display is completely free-standing and the air vents in a sporty turbine-look are also another highlight.

Mercedes-Benz has repeatedly had to relearn a simple lesson: An air of European sophistication doesn't make a car sold overseas play in America. The circa 2001 C-Class hatchback was a poor fit, but the GLA and CLA have since then come closer to the right formula for both sides of the Atlantic. The new A-Class, coming to our shores as an A 220 sedan, is even better suited to our tastes. Note that this isn't a CLA replacement. The CLA is a "four-door coupe", and the A is a proper sedan. They're certainly similar - two front-drive-based four-doors below the C-Class - but the CLA will soldier along for a bit, analogous to the CLS and E-Class situation. So Mercedes says. The new, sharp lines of the A-Class and the age of the CLA, which debuted in 2013, can't be discounted. Actually, the styling is smooth and clean; a couple of character creases, but everything else is an exercise in reduction.

There's a more conventional pertness to the rear, a short overhang without the droop present in the bigger C-Class. Contrast the more unusual proportions of the CLA with the A's smaller, more angular headlights set more flushly into a handsomely upright fascia. Less is more, we think. The interior of our loaded-up Premium Package A 220 isn't understated in the least, an ultra-contemporary riot of color and texture. Dive into a tunnel and the ambient lighting, backlit metallic eyeball vents, and dual screens all scream for your attention. It's shock and awe with a whiff of a Virgin Atlantic cabin - sparkly like a fishing lure to hook a buyer. Will it age well? Will buyers look closer and find the rough edges and cheaper materials otherwise hidden by the glare of the flair? Sell the thing and move on. At least there's no more hand-wringing about whether this sort of thing will put off "traditional Mercedes buyers" - everyone wants tech-forward, youthful signaling, and the A Class delivers.

There's much less emphasis on the mechanicals, not nearly so flashy as the tech-intensive interior experience. 188 horsepower isn't a lot these days, but the torque comes on richly, and the A 220 doesn't seem to weigh much. About that: we don't have a curb weight. Mercedes wouldn't provide even a ballpark. Same goes for a lot of other specs. These are pre-production cars, and the specifications may change before it goes on sale, but it's frustrating to not even have estimates to share with you. Base A 220s have a torsion beam rear axle, but all-wheel drive models and front-drive cars with larger wheels or adaptive dampers feature a multi-link design with torsion bars at both ends. There are several available suspension tunes: comfort, "lowered comfort with AMG Line", or an adaptive suspension. Both of our test cars were fitted with the AMG Line suspension and the same wheel and tire package.