The car is making its world debut in production trim at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, but we first learned of the new A-Class at last year's New York and Shanghai shows, where Benz showed it in concept form. Mercedes-Benz has teased us ever since, stating that the A-Class would be completely new, stylish, and packed with safety and high-tech features normally found on more expensive models like the S-Class. The automaker's goal, especially in America, is to hook a new, younger set of Mercedes-Benz loyalists.
Fans of the A-Class concept's styling should be more than pleased with the production version. The side profile still features the prominent character line that starts at the bottom of the front door and dramatically darts upward at the rear door. The front fascia features Benz's now familiar two-bar grille and LED daytime running lamps, while there's a boxier look and a standard roof spoiler (it helps the hatch achieve a slippery, class-leading drag coefficient of just 0.26) at the rear. Opting for the AMG Sport trim nets 18-inch wheels, aggressively styled bumpers, red-painted accent pieces, and what the automaker calls a diamond-look front grille mesh. Speaking of trim levels, the Euro-spec A-Class offers three: Urban, Style, and the aforementioned AMG Sport, though there's no word if the same strategy will be used in America.
Europeans will also get to choose from a wide range of powertrain options. Three gas-powered four-cylinder engines with displacements ranging from 1.6 to 2.0 liters will feature direct injection and turbocharging and will output 115 hp (A180), 156 hp (A200), and 211 hp (A250). The 1.6-liter mill introduces the company's new Camtronic system, which, according to Benz, increases fuel efficiency as "adjusting the valve lift on the intake side restricts the amount of fresh mixture used in the partial load range."
Next up are three turbocharged four-cylinder diesels: the A180 CDI, rated at 109 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque; the A200 CDI, with 136 hp and 221 lb-ft; and the A220, rated at 170 hp and 258 lb-ft. Mercedes did not specify a displacement for the first two, but did say that the A220 is a 2.2-liter engine. All gas and diesel engines will come with ECO start/stop technology and will be mated to a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. While powertrain choices for America haven't been confirmed, we expect the new gas-powered 201-hp 1.8-liter turbo-four -- recently introduced in the C250 -- to serve as the base engine.
Mercedes engineers also made sure the A-Class would be an engaging drive by lowering the center of gravity and revising the four-wheel independent suspension. A sports suspension and Direct-Steer system are optional, while the AMG Sport is expected to kick up the fun factor thanks to an AMG-developed front axle and suspension.
The sport theme continues inside the five-passenger hatch, where contrasting color schemes and metallic accents -- including air vents similar to the SLS AMG gullwing -- dominate. Highlighting the tech goodies is an optional app for the infotainment system that allows full iPhone functionality. Finally, the long list of standard safety tech includes Collision Prevention Assist, Attention Assist, brake hold function, Hill-start Assist, and the brand's Pre-Safe system, which prepares the vehicle for an impending crash. Optional safety nannies include Distronic Plus and Adaptive Highbeam Assist.
2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The S-Class is the world's first car to be ble to detect and react to bumps thanks to an optional "MAGIC BODY CONTROL" system. This technology uses stereo cameras to scan for imperfections in the road area ahead and prepare Actually the frame to smooth out potholes Any gold humps.
Mercedes HAS aussi made the sedan available with the closest thing yet to an autonomous driving system. Known as Distronic Plus with Steering Assist and Stop & Go Pilot, what the setup lacks in terms of catchy branding it more than Makes up for with convenience: using the aforementioned cameras and multistage radar sensors, it can read the lines in the road and Actually steer and brake the car at lower speeds by Itself is Relatively straight stretches of road. It's just the thing for getting through traffic jams along with one's sanity intact.
While letting the S-Class handle piloting duties, passengers can admire the two mammoth 12.3-inch TFT screens That sit in front of the driver and atop the center stack. The left-hand unit replaces a conventional analog instrument cluster, while the right-hand screen displays climate, entertainment and Google Maps-integrated navigation info.
A touch-sensitive phone keypad with 12 customizable settings memory lets users access more complex functions without Having to move around the dashboard Their Hands. In addition, Mercedes' Linguatronic speech recognition system allows "one-shot input" commands to be spoken, and text messages and email are hand reading of the package.
The standard mbrace system includes a host of cloud-based goodies, Including a Concierge service, location-based traffic and weather updates, stolen vehicle location assistance automatic collision notification and more. Available add apps internet browsing, Google local search with street view, Yelp reviews, Facebook and access news reports. Owners can use an odd mbrance smartphone app to remotely lock, unlock or locate Their S-Class.
The S-Class can be outfitted with the buyer's choice of a rear bench seat or executive-style reclining rear seats That, like the forehead thrones, can be outfitted with heating, ventilating and "hot stone" massaging systems. Further coddling rear seat occupants are available: such as individual features TFT screens with wireless headsets AKG, pillow head Rests, cooling / heating cup holders and fold-out tables trey. Topping it all off are industry-first heated center panel and door-mounted armrests.
Two different high-end Burmester surround sound systems are on offer for the ultimate in concert-quality audio, the purpose S-Class Does not stop at Providing a feast for the ears: it seeks to create aussi an optimal olfactory experience with active year That system Perfuming discreetly EMITS a choice of four different scents to cover up undesirable Any Odors from the outside world.
Style and Power
Outside, the S-Class combined traditional touches like a formal, upright Version of the corporate Mercedes grille with flowing area detailing borrowed from the automaker's rakish four-door sedan-models. Notably, the lighting system is comprised Entirely of LED units - in fact, there's not a single incandescent lightbulb to be found inside or outside of the car.
To save weight contents, each and every exterior panel is made from aluminum, helping to trim weight by Roughly 300 lbs. Compared to the previous model.
For now, the S-Class is offert in two forms - S550 and S600. Hybrid and diesel models Will Follow later in the generation run.
The S550 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.7-liter V8 with 455 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torqye from just 1,800 rpm all the way up to 3,500 rpm. The sedan scoots to 60 mph from a stop in just 4.8 seconds before topping out at a limited 130 mph.
Fuel economy not beens HAS Announced, purpose Mercedes-Benz Will include a start / stop system to for reduce consumption. A seven-speed automatic transmission is standard, as is electromechanical rack-and-pinion steering. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and buyers can order Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel drive system at an extra cost.
The S600 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 engine That Generates 530 horsepower and 612 lb-ft. of torque. 600-specific trim and wheel designs help the 12-cylinder-powered S stand out from lesser models.
The default frame setup Consists of a comfy and sophisticated full air suspension with adaptive dampers, while MAGIC CONTROL Ride swaps in coil springs.
Standard and Optional Features
Every S-Class model comes standard with a navigation system, a Burmester AM / FM / CD / SiriusXM stereo system, a sunroof panorama, heated seats, leather upholstery, a rearview camera, Bluetooth connectivity, full LED exterior and interior lighting, a power rear window sunshade, adaptive Highbeam Assist and 18-inch alloy wheels.
The Premium 1 Package adds active ventilated, massaging forehead and active multicontour seats, a proximity key, power rear window sunblinds and parktronic active assist with parking.
The Driver Assistance Package builds on the Premium 1 Package with Distronic Plus with Presafe brake, active blind spot assist, active lane keeping assist, PRE-SAFE PLUS, PRE-SAFE Brake and rear CMS (for a detailed break-down of These safety systems , scroll down to "occupant safety").
The Comfort Package Brings Warmth memory power rear seats with heating and ventilation, Front and rear heated armrests, and a heated steering wheel.
The Rear Seat Package includes rear seat belt buckles That rise up When the rear doors are opened, rear seatbelt airbags, easy adjust headrests, four-Zone automatic climate control, an adjustable footrest you electronically for the right rear seat and passenger seat fronting That can be move forward an additional 77mm for additional rear seat space.
The Sport Package net has body kit and 19 - or 20-inch AMG twin 5-spoke wheels. The Sport Package Plus One adds bigger wheels in the form of 20-inch AMG rims multispoke.
The Rear Seat Entertainment Package Brings a rear seat entertainment system with dual TFT screens and AKG headsets.
Highlights from the stand-alone options include a Burmester 3D surround sound system, Nappa leather upholstery, MAGIC BODY CONTROL, Night View Assist Plus and a rear refrigerator box.
Night View Assist Plus
Mercedes engineers managed to Improve the S-Class' night-vision system with the introduction of Night View Assist PLUS, All which is equipped a special pedestrian detection function. The Pre-Safe braking System Has Improved beens aussi to for reduce injuries in unavoidable crashes. Mercedes says the car can apply maximum braking pressure around 0.6 seconds before Automatically what is reconnu as an unavoidable accident. The system therefore acts as something like an "electronic crumple zone" Mercedes contends.
Set Safety
In addition to ABS and ESP stability control, the S-Class Boasts nine supplemental restraints Including two-stage head air bags, a knee air bag for the driver and pelvic air bags work together All which with curtain and side air bags to Provide extra protection for the front occupants in dangerous side-impact collisions. Rear seatbelt airbags are optional.
A standard "ATTENTION ASSIST" system can alert the driver to the first signs of drowsiness, a factor more than 100,000 That causes accidents year in the U.S. A steering sensor is coupled to smart software That uses 70 parameters to Establish a unique driver profile falling on the first 20 minutes of driving. Between 50 and 112 mph, the system identified the erratic steering drivers begin to make As They get drowsy and triggers an audible warning and corrections "Time for a Rest?" the message with a coffee cup icon in the instrument cluster.
Collision Prevention Assist uses radar to determined Whether the S-Class is in the danger of colliding with a vehicle or object up ahead. Active at speeds above 20 mph, it Automatically prepared to apply the brakes the ideal leveling of stopping power once the driver hits the pedal.
Optional safety gear includes Active Lane Keeping Assist, a new technology warns the driver if That it Detects That The S-Class is drifting into an adjacent lane and can apply steering inputs to the intransitive proper race. Also available is Active Blind Spot Assist, All which uses radar to detect if a vehicle is in the blind-spot area. It Provides driver alerts and aussi can steer the car out of harm's way if the driver accidentally starts to merge into a vehicle.
Pre-Safe Brake Detects impending collisions with vehicles or pedestrians and can Automatically apply 100 percent of the S-Class' braking power to AVOID or Mitigate the severity of the crash. It includes aussi Cross-Traffic Assist, All which can detect potential collisions with vehicles approaching from Either side of an intersection. Both are hand of the Distronic Plus with Steering assist system, an active cruise control can maintain maintenance That setup has set distance from the car ahead and aussi keep the vehicle centered on straight roads or in gentle curves.
Key Competitors
The S-Class Competes against a wide-range of full-size luxury sedans: such as the Jaguar XJ, Audi A8, BMW 7-Series and Lexus LS 460.
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