The engine is front-mounted transversely with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available since 2012. This is the first Mercedes-Benz car with front-wheel drive. Before him, rear-wheel drive was predominantly used on all car models.
First generation (W168, 1997−2004)
Mercedes-Benz announced the A-Class back in 1994 as its first subcompact car, but with the spacious interior of a large family car. At the end of 1996, a prototype was shown, and at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in the fall of 1997, the car was officially presented. In August 1997, production began. The design was developed by British car designer Steve Mattin in 1994. Later for this work the journal «Autocar» awarded Mattin the title «designer of the year». The A-Class cost the company DM 2.5 billion to develop and DM 300 million to fix. Assembly was carried out in Germany, Brazil and Thailand. In total, about 1.1 million cars of the first generation were produced.
The body was only as a 5-door hatchback with a length of 3606 mm (3780mm LWB), 1719 mm wide and 1587 mm high. Everyone was surprised by the front-wheel drive and a short body, which was not typical for a Mercedes. Another innovation was frontal impact absorption technology called «sandwich», which prevents the engine from flying into the passenger compartment in a head-on collision, but directs it down under the floor. In 1997 the Swedish car magazine «Teknikens Värld» spent «moose test» (avoiding an unexpected obstacle) and the car overturned. Mercedes-Benz recalled all 2,600 vehicles sold at the time, halted sales for three months, and upgraded and fixed the problem by changing the suspension and adding electronic stability control.
The range of gasoline engines includes four models of four-cylinder in-line «M166» 1.4 liters (1397 cm3, E14, A 140, 81 hp), 1.6 liters (1598 cm3, E16, A 140 and A 160, 81 and 101 hp), 1.9 liters (1898 cm3, E19, A 190, 123 hp) and 2.1 liters (2084 cm3, E21, A 210, 138 hp). The diesel engine is also a four-cylinder in-line «OM668» 1.7 liters (1689 cm3, CDI, A 160 and A 170) 59, 74, 89 and 94 hp There are three types of transmissions, all 5-speed manual, automatic and semi-automatic.
In 2001, they carried out a small update of the model, bumpers and headlights were changed, and a modification was released with a wheelbase extended by 170 mm (LWB). The restyled version was shown at the Geneva Motor Show of the same year.
Second generation (W169, 2004−2012)
The second generation was introduced in 2004 with factory code «W169». The body was made of high-strength steel alloys. The body shape was 3 and 5 door hatchback 3838 mm long, 1764 mm wide and 1593 mm high. The cabin was equipped with many airbags including side airbags for the rear passengers. The front airbags are equipped with two-stage gas generators that are triggered depending on the strength of the impact. The seat belts are also tightened depending on the severity of the collision. Active head restraints reduce the risk of neck injury in a rear collision. The car was assembled in Germany and Thailand. The second generation A-Class produced about 1 million units.
The engine was also front-mounted transversely with front-wheel drive. In the basic configuration there is an anti-slip system (ASR), electronic stability control (ESC) and anti-lock braking system (ABS). The car's handling is improved with an anti-roll bar and a parabolic rear axle. The adaptive damping system in the shock absorbers works out depending on the driving conditions and improves comfort for passengers.
The range of gasoline engines includes four modifications of four-cylinder in-line «M266» 1.5 liters (1498 cm3, M266.920, A 150, 95 hp), 1.7 liters (1699 cm3, M266.940, A 180, 116 hp), 2.0 liters (2034 cm3, M266.960, A 200, 136 hp) and turbocharged 2.0 liter engine (2034 cm3, M266.980, A 200 turbo, 193 hp). All 8 valves with SOHC gas distribution system, the body is made of aluminum alloy. There were three modifications of diesel engines with a volume of 2.0 liters (1991 cm3, A 160 CDI, A 180 CDI, A 200 CDI) with a capacity of 82, 109 and 140 hp, four-cylinder turbocharged in-line engines. All engines comply with stringent Euro 4 emissions requirements. Transmission is mechanical 5 and 6-speed, and a variator was also installed (CVT).
In 2008, the model was restyled, as a result of which both bumpers, headlights and exterior mirrors were changed. Also, the car received the option «Active Park Assist», which assists the driver in parallel parking.
Third generation (W176, 2013−2018)
The third-generation concept car was unveiled at the 2011 New York Auto Show. Production model with code «W176» was presented in March 2012 at the Geneva Motor Show. The design has been completely redesigned, and the car has also become significantly longer and lower and moved from the B-class to the C-class (according to European classification). The body was only a 5-door hatchback with a length of 4292 mm, a width of 1780 mm and a height of 1433 mm. This car became a direct competitor to the BMW 1 Series, Audi A3, Infiniti Q30, Peugeot 308, Volvo V40 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The engine is located transversely in front, front-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive models also appeared for the first time. Assembly was carried out in Germany, Hungary, Mexico and Finland.
All vehicles include BlueEFFICIENCY technology. Range of gasoline engines with code «M270» includes three modifications with a volume of 1.6 liters (1595 cm3, A 160, A 180, A 200) with a capacity of 101, 120 and 154 hp, as well as one modification with a volume of 2.0 liters (1991 cm3, A 250) 208 hp All engines are four-cylinder turbocharged in-line engines. Diesel engines were of the following characteristics - two with a volume of 1.5 liters «OM607» (1461 cm3, A 160 CDI and A 180 CDI, 89 and 108 hp); two with a volume of 1.8 liters «OM651» (1796 cm3, A 180 CDI and A 200 CDI, 108 and 134 hp); two with a volume of 2.2 liters «OM651» (2143 cm3, A 200 CDI and A 220 CDI, 134 and 168 hp). Transmissions were of the following modifications - 6-speed mechanics or 7-speed automatic (7G-DCT or AMG Speedshift DCT).
The car was updated in 2015. The bumpers have been changed, LED lights have been added to the database, it has become possible to order adaptive LED headlights, and numerous improvements have appeared in the interior. The engines have also been updated.
To advertise the third generation A-Class, Mercedes-Benz held a series of concerts «A Rock» with British alternative rock band «Placebo». The 5 concert tour took place in Paris, Rome, Zurich, Hamburg, Madrid from June to July 2012.
Fourth generation (W177, 2018-present)
In March 2018, the fourth generation A-Class was shown at the Geneva Motor Show, sales also began in March of the same year. The body was available as a 5-door hatchback (code «W177») and for the first time presented the body of a 4-door sedan (code «V177»). The length was 4419 mm, width 1796 mm and height 1440 mm. The sedan concept was shown at the 2017 Shanghai Auto Show. For China, a model with an extended wheelbase was produced (code «Z177») 4610 mm long, 1796 mm wide and 1461 mm high. Transverse front engine, front wheel drive or all wheel drive (4MATIC). Assembly plants are located in Germany, China, Finland, Hungary and Mexico.
The car comes standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, remote ignition and LED daytime running lights. All models feature the new M infotainment system «Mercedes-Benz User Experience» (MBUX) with a new touch interface and a voice-controlled smart assistant that activates by speaking «Hey Mercedes».
Equipped as standard with two 7-inch displays for the instrument cluster and MBUX screen and can be upgraded to a 10.25-inch display with touch controls, real-time traffic information and traffic sign recognition. Other available options include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ambient lighting, a head-up display, using a smartphone to lock or unlock the car via «close proximity communication» (NFC).
Gasoline engines are represented by the following models - 1.3 liters «M282 DE14 LA» (1332 cm3, A 160, A 180 and A 200) 101, 134 and 161 hp and 2.0 liters «M260 E20 DE LA» (1991 cm3, A 220 and A 250) 188 and 221 hp The diesel engine is represented so far by one model with a volume of 1.5 liters «OM608 DE15» (1461 cm3, A 180 d) 114 hp All engines are four-cylinder turbocharged in-line engines. Transmission 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (DCT).