The Mercedes-Benz A-Class is the littlest Benz hatchback, and while in the past it’s had a three-pointed star, it’s never been all that... well, great. Evidently Mercedes is trying harder this time, as the new one that dropped today sure looks a hell of a lot more sophisticated.
Mercedes has packed it with all sort of goodies that, until recently, you could only really find in an S-Class, including semi-autonomous functions. And it’s certainly quite sporty looking, wearing a similar face to the new CLS that we saw last year.
Inside, it looks the cockpit of a spaceship. Mercedes gave it the turbine air vents and a dashboard that is split into two “three-dimensional, horizontal sections:the lower section is visually separated from the main body of the dashboard by a ‘trench,’ and it appears to float in front of the dashboard. The ambient lighting enhances this effect, accentuating the free-floating impression of the substructure,” touts the press release.
I have trouble visualizing this, so I will just have to wait and see it in person. Mercedes tell us that there will be 64 colors to choose from for the ambient lighting. I can’t even name 64 colors, so that’s cool, too.
The A-Class will be offered with three engines. The A 200 will have 163 horsepower, the A 250 will have 224 HP and the A 190 d (which we will most likely not get) will have 116 HP. All three will also come fitted with seven-speed dual-clutch transmissions. The two new gasoline engines are the 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and the 2.0-liter turbo. It will have permanent all-wheel drive.
