Mercedes have announced their new A class, it's come a long way from that first A class. Now with new engines, up to 381hp with the AMG A 45. Or if you prefer efficiency, then the 180d, 109bhp/260Nm with 89g/km CO²

 

 

Striking lines, dynamically curved surfaces and coupé-like window lines characterise the exterior of the A-Class, following the design philosophy of sensual clarity. The form of the new, more arrow-shaped front bumper takes its lead strongly from the Concept A-CLASS (2011). With a diamond grille, new LED High Performance headlamps (optional extra; standard for A 45) and newly designed rear lights with exhaust tailpipes integrated into the bumper, the new generation emphasises the sportiness and dynamism of the successful compact class series.

 

The revised gear ratios, aerodynamic fine-tuning and the new DYNAMIC SELECT driving modes raise overall performance to a higher level, underlining the claim to leadership in this market segment. 

 

With the new generation of the A-Class, Mercedes-Benz reconciles the conflicting aims of sporty performance and enhanced comfort: With DYNAMIC SELECT the driver is able to change the car's characteristics in just seconds – at the touch of a button the A-Class drives in a particularly comfortable, sporty or efficient manner. 

 

An instrument cluster of tubular design with high-quality dial graphics and galvanised switches upgrades the quality interior, as does the large, free-standing and frameless display of the head unit, which is now to be had with a larger screen diagonal of 20.3 cm (8 inches) - standard on Sport and AMG Line. New colours and materials, as well as new finishes for the trim in the dashboard, ensure a fresh ambience. New features include Sahara Beige / black leather in the Exclusive package.

 

Optional LED High Performance headlamps and ambience lighting which can be individualised with twelve colours and five dimming levels – the equipment range for the A-Class has been judiciously expanded in many areas. Also new is seat cushion depth adjustment by up to 60 mm – a standard feature on all models.

 

With its dramatic design in the style of the successful MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula 1 team, the special "Motorsport Edition" model will particularly appeal to racing fans. Areas of the front and rear bumper trim are painted in petrol green, and the same colour adorns the rim of the AMG light- alloy wheels. Eye-catching details in the interior include the petrol green surrrounds of the air vents and the contrasting topstitching in petrol green. The sport seats upholstered in black leather/DINAMICA microfibre have petrol green decorative strips, as have the seat belts. The "Motorsport Edition" is available on the A 220 d / A 220 d 4MATIC upwards (except the A 45).

 

The Mercedes-AMG A 45 4MATIC also benefits from the model facelift. With peak output of 280 kW

(381 hp) and a maximum torque of 475 Nm, the entry-level model from Mercedes-AMG is the world's most powerful compact sports model. 

 

The new-generation A-Class can be ordered from 3 July 2015. The first models will be in dealer showrooms at the end of September

I spotted one of these yesterday on the A3. Photos to prove on my phone. Looks very nice

Is it much different looking from previous?

I like the idea of an A45 with a level of comfort. The standard car is very stiff and jiggly. So a bit more compliance and a better gearbox would be quite  a good improvement in my book I do like the looks of the original and the GLA A45 too

The green one looks rubbish the grey one looks more like it.

Kind of getting away from the original premise of the A class with the underfloor engine etc.

 

I don't mind them, the AMG is a bit silly but if you've the money....

 

I wonder if they're built better now, been hearing a lot of moans about merc of late.

Seriously ugly from the B pillar back. And what's with the ipad stuck on the dash? Merc and some others started this a couple of years back. IMHO a serious lack of imagination in the design department.

Must admit when I looked at the A class several months ago, the ipad jobbie was one of the things I hated. Also a lot of the switchgear is straight out of the C Class I owned at the time (other Mercs had the same switches too) except they were lower rent, eg mostly plastic instead of alloy. The A45 seats are superb though

They have been around for two years now,  are we in a time warp?

They have been around for two years now,  are we in a time warp?

There is a facelift out

Probably still extremely over priced.

I looked at an A45 AMG about 6 months ago and without too much trouble the price tag had gone from base of £38k to £43k and it still wasn't fully loaded!

Think your better off with a 135i or a new S3 for a couple of examples with similar performance levels.

There is a facelift out

They've added led lights and done some trivial trim changes I guess.  It's the same shape to me.

Must admit when I looked at the A class several months ago, the ipad jobbie was one of the things I hated. Also a lot of the switchgear is straight out of the C Class I owned at the time (other Mercs had the same switches too) except they were lower rent, eg mostly plastic instead of alloy. The A45 seats are superb though

Not for me,    They seemed ok for people with slim narrow shoulders but not definitely man sized.    I bought an older Audi S4 with the Recaros, proper man sized seats in that.

Rented one in November.  It's no Golf.  And the dash is ugly and complex.

They've added led lights and done some trivial trim changes I guess.  It's the same shape to me.

When I bought my 350 Cdi MB a few years ago it had just had a facelift and MB claimed over 2,000 changes. Whilst the overall shape hadn't changed and only the lights had seemingly had a very modest tweak, the interior was very different as well as tweaks to oily bits that I couldn't see. I think reading Colin's original post. Merc seem to have done a medium sized facelift. Some models receiving more changes than others. I have a facelift 1 series and the model I got hasn't had much tweaking done, at least not compared to more eco orientated models in the range.

 

I agree about the A45 seats, I am reasonably tall (only average compared to a man) but fairly slim - this is something time is rectifying though - so the seats are great for me My A4 seats were way to huge in width terms and obviously designed for a race of body builders.

Rented one in November.  It's no Golf.  And the dash is ugly and complex.

The dash is nothing special, but the car is brutal to drive. I thought it might become a bit wearing with time as well as break my spine eventually. But it is seriously quick cross country. I dread to think how you could take it to it's limits on a public road. Merc seems to be addressing a lot of the complaints though. Gearbox and suspension being probably the main two.

I can never understand the Germans desire to put rwd in smaller cars meant for family duties ? The original A class was a much cleverer idea if not quite the finish product, sticking with that layout and ironing out a few things would have been a much better direction to go I think.  :sun:

The A45 AMG is part time AWD like a Golf R,

 Front wheel drive until drive needs to go to the rear.