New Mercedes Clase A 2018: the star of the compacts

The fourth generation of the Mercedes Clase A, which goes on sale in March, arrives loaded with new technologies to remain the benchmark among compacts.

The new Mercedes Clase A aims to shine in the compact segment and repeat the success of the third generation, which went on sale in 2012 and received its last facelift in 2016. To do so, Mercedes has not hesitated to draw on the latest technology, without neglecting something as important in this category as design.

Let us recall that, among others, the Mercedes Clase A competes with cars such as the Audi A3, the BMW Serie 1 and the Volkswagen Golf.

The design of the new Mercedes Clase A

Not much, but the Mercedes Clase A 2018 grows in exterior size to also offer more space for passengers and more luggage volume. It is 12 cm longer, 2 cm wider and 1 cm taller. The wheelbase also increases by 30 mm.

In a comparison table with the previous Clase A, the new model boasts 3.5 cm more width at elbow height, front and rear, which become 1 cm and 2 cm respectively when measured at shoulder height. As for the boot, it offers 370 litres of capacity according to official figures, a gain of 29 litres. The new split design of the rear lights allows the loading opening to be 20 cm wider.

With a more sloping bonnet, wider wheel arches and the new design of the grille and light units, the new Clase A offers a sportier look even in the base versions. The drag coefficient is very good, with a Cx of 0.25 in the best case, which will be achieved with the optional flap system for engine cooling, which Mercedes calls AIRPANEL.

The wheels for the new Mercedes Clase A can be between 17 and 19 inches, and there are two types of headlights: LED technology as standard and optional MULTIBEAM LED. The latter feature 18 LEDs that can be adjusted individually for more precise lighting depending on traffic and environmental conditions. They include the automatic high-beam function (from a speed of 30 km/h), automatic cornering light for bends and roundabouts, and adaptive dipped beam.

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Interior of the Mercedes Clase A: digital and connected

In the interior of the Mercedes Clase A there is no trace of the previous model’s design. The main novelty is the new MBUX multimedia system, with two screens placed one after the other horizontally. Depending on the version, these screens can be different sizes: either 7 inches, combining one of 7 and another of 10.25 inches, or two of 10.25 inches on versions with the most advanced multimedia system. Additionally, the Clase A can optionally be equipped with a head-up display projected onto the windscreen with high definition.

The MBUX multimedia system of the new Mercedes Clase A offers new features thanks to artificial intelligence, as well as expanded connectivity functions based on Car-to-X communication between vehicles. Notable is the in-car-office function, which allows access to data or even participation in a video conference from the car. The navigation connectivity package includes real-time traffic services, map updates via Wi-Fi, or expanded navigation services with fuel price information or parking spaces. The prediction functions allow the MBUX to anticipate the user, for example by suggesting routes or radio stations the driver usually uses.

The new Linguatronic voice control integrated into the MBUX can recognise words or phrases in natural language without having to learn commands. And the new ambient lighting system offers up to 64 shades and 10 colour concepts to create different styles in the cabin.

Mercedes offers for the Clase A the Progressive (standard in Spain) or the sportier AMG Line equipment lines, which can be completed with the Night package. For one year from launch, the Edition 1 version, based on the Clase A AMG Line and with many exterior and interior customisation details, can also be ordered.

New petrol engine with cylinder deactivation

At launch, the new Clase A has two petrol engines and one diesel: one completely new and the others profoundly revised.

The most interesting novelty is the 1.4 turbo petrol of the Clase A 200, with 163 CV (120 kW) and 250 Nm of maximum torque. Developed in collaboration with Renault, it includes technologies such as selective cylinder deactivation (in principle only when combined with the automatic gearbox) and the Camtronic system for regulating the intake camshaft. It announces an average consumption from 5.6 l/100 km with manual gearbox, and only 5.1 l/100 km with the 7G-DCT dual-clutch gearbox. It is also equipped with a particulate filter.

The second petrol engine, that of the A 250, is an evolved version of the current one to improve smoothness and reduce consumption, which drops to 6 l/100 km. It delivers 224 CV (165 kW) and a maximum torque of 350 Nm, and from the factory it is only combined with the dual-clutch gearbox. Among the improvements it receives, a special treatment to reduce friction stands out, along with Camtronic timing (variably regulates the intake valve lift), a variable-flow oil pump, balancer shafts and electronic regulation of the turbo pressure valve. It also adds a particulate filter as standard.

The Clase A 180 d, now with AdBlue

There are also novelties in the diesel. The Clase A 180 d still uses the 1.5 developed together with Renault, but with a new variable-geometry turbocharger integrated into the exhaust manifold, higher injection pressure (2,000 bar compared with 1,600, and with 8-hole injectors) and other improvements that raise the power to 116 CV (85 kW), with a maximum torque of 260 Nm. Another novelty to bear in mind in the entry-level diesel version of the Clase A, especially regarding use and maintenance, is that the particulate filter now works with AdBlue. The tank for this additive has a large capacity of 23.8 litres, and its filler neck is accessible from outside, next to the fuel tank cap.

The 7G-DCT dual-clutch gearbox differs depending on the engine. Always in an oil bath and with 7 gears, for the A 200 and A 180 d engines it is a new gearbox made by Getrag, with electro-hydraulic clutch actuation and coasting function. Optionally, some versions of the new Clase A may still fit 4MATIC four-wheel drive, in which case the rear suspension includes a four-link layout instead of trailing arms combined with a U-shaped torsion beam. Among the improvements, 4MATIC drive includes a disc-clutch differential that is actuated electromechanically instead of electro-hydraulically.

The new driver assistance systems of the Clase A

Alongside the new platform, which is stiffer and better prepared to absorb vibrations and thus provide greater ride comfort and safety, the Clase A debuts some novel assistance systems. Some of them come directly from the Mercedes Clase S.

For the Clase A’s brakes, the ADAPTIVE BRAKE system is used, taken from the top-segment Mercedes models. It has several functions, such as the Hold function to keep the car stationary without keeping your foot on the pedal, the drying function that generates small pulses to remove the water film from the discs when driving in rain, or a function that increases pressure in the system by bringing the pads closer to the discs to improve braking in an emergency.

As an important novelty, Mercedes announces that the new Clase A can operate semi-autonomously. With cameras and extended-range radar sensors, the DISTRONIC active distance assistant can adapt the vehicle’s speed to the route layout, recognising bends, junctions or roundabouts, and it includes active steering assistance.

The active braking assistant, for its part, adds extended functions that can help avoid a collision with pedestrians or cyclists crossing the road, or even a rear-end collision. When driving on motorways or dual carriageways in slow traffic, the traffic jam assist function automatically brings the Clase A to a stop –for up to 30 seconds– and resumes driving. With the active lane change assistant, simply activating the indicator is enough for the Clase A to automatically start the manoeuvre between 80 and 180 km/h, if traffic allows.

Both the active lane change assistant and the new evasive steering assistant come from the Clase E. The latter, which operates between 20 and 70 km/h, helps in the event of having to perform an emergency evasive manoeuvre by assisting the driver through steering intervention, to help avoid the obstacle and better control the vehicle.