SMART WHEELS
MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS
be configured to suit the needs of not only individual buyers, but could be set up to suit the needs of each family member.
The cars take voice recognition technology to new levels, with the Mercedes-Benz User Experience system. At the ‘Hey Mercedes’ command, the system will load a destination into the sat nav without the need to type it in. The radio station can be changed on voice command alone.
Mercedes describes its MBUX system as an “intelligent voice control with natural language comprehension feature, activated by the keywords ‘Hey Mercedes’.”
This supports many infotainment functions, including destination input, phone calls, music selection, and writing and hearing messages.
So simple and effective is the system that you have to catch yourself thanking it for delivering so effectively — it is, after all, just a machine.
Inside the A-Class, the dashboard is dominated by the double screen (2 x 10.25-inch digital screens), and a row of turbine-like round vents.
The overall effect is stunningly effective, especially when coupled with the leather seats.
What you don’t see is the depth of new technology lurking within the touch screens, including the adaptive nature of the MBUX system.
Along with other systems, which can be activated by voice command, touch pads on the steering wheel, or the touch screen, the A-Class adapts to the driver’s needs as it becomes more familiar with where and how it is driven.
The 1.3-litre A-200 hatch engine produces 120kW of power and
250Nm of torque, and Mercedes says it delivered a combined fuel economy figure of 5.7 litres per
100km.
Any thought that the engine might be too small is blown away by an early drive. It travels from 0-100km/h in 8 seconds — .3 seconds faster than the model it replaces, which had a 1.6-litre engine.
New standard equipment not seen before in previous A-Class models include:
New 18 inch aero alloy wheels MBUX multimedia system with two 10.25" digital screens and touchscreen central display with NTG 6 MB Navigation.
Standard LED headlights with adaptive high beam assist, keyless start and wireless charging.
Nine air bags ( front, pelvis, side and window bags for driver and front passenger, side bags for rear occupants and knee bag for driver), active brake assist with semi-autonomous braking function, active parking assist, including Parktronic, active lane keep assist, blind spot assist with exit warning, traffic sign assist and reversing camera.
Timing and information about other models in the A-Class range, including the entry-level A 180, and the A 250, will be available later this year.
Optional packages will add adaptive highbeam and multibeam headlamps, panoramic glass electric sunroof,
360-degree camera, and Burmester surround sound system including 12 premium soundspeakers (including one subwoofer), external nine-channel Class-DDSP amplifier (featuring high-end DSP sound optimisation) and surround sound with a total output of 590W.
Mercedes-Benz NZ sold about
300 A-Class models last year, and believes with additional models becoming available by the middle of next year, that target should be exceeded.