Mercedes-Benz A-Class

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class is a car manufactured by German luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz. It has been marketed across four generations as a front-engine, front-wheel drive, five-passenger, five-door hatchback, with a three-door hatchback offered for the second generation, as well as a saloon version for the fourth.

As the brand's entry-level vehicle, the first generation A-Class, internally coded W168, was introduced in 1997, the second generation (W169) in late 2004 and the third generation (W176) in 2012. The fourth generation model (W177), which was launched in 2018, marked the first time the A-Class was offered in the United States and Canada. This fourth generation A-Class is also the first to be offered both as a hatchback (W177) and sedan (V177).

Styled by Steve Mattin and launched at the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show, the A-Class was noted for its short, narrow footprint, its overall height, and an interior volume and level of equipment competing with larger cars. The A-Class subsequently gained length and width over its successive generations, losing some of its height. Approximately 3.3 million A-Class models had been manufactured by the 2021 model year.

First generation (W168; 1997)

History

In 1994, Mercedes-Benz confirmed that it would be launching a compact car - the A-Class (A 160) - by early 1997, and (A 190) by early 1999, which would be the company's first venture in this sector of the market; it was hinted at this stage that the new car would be shorter than the average supermini but as spacious and practical inside as a large family car.

The A-Class was presented to the motoring press late in 1996, and launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in the autumn of 1997, the W168 A-Class was quite unusual for Mercedes-Benz featuring a front-wheel drive layout and unusual tall but yet short body and Avantgarde at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show and 1999 Frankfurt Motor Show.

This was the first complete exterior designed by Coventry University trained Steve Mattin, for which he was named Autocar magazine's 'Designer of the Year'. Earlier, Mattin had mostly worked on design for the W210 E-Class in 1991. Concurrent to the W168, he designed the exterior of the W220 S-Class. The final design freeze occurred in January 1995, at 32 months before August 1997 start of production.

Between 1997 and 2004, 1.1 million first generation A-Class models had been sold. Overall, Daimler lost €1,440 per vehicle produced.

The A-Class was facelifted in February 2001, with minor alterations to the headlights, front and rear bumper design and the addition of a new longer wheelbase version. It was launched at the Geneva Motor Show.

Moose Test Issue/Recall

The W168 became infamous in 1997 after flipping over during the traditional "moose test" performed by the Swedish automobile publication Teknikens Värld. According to the report, the W168 overturned when manoeuvring to avoid the "moose". Mercedes initially denied the problem, but then took the surprising step of recalling all units sold to date (2,600) and suspending sales for three months until the problem was solved by adding electronic stability control and modifying the suspension. The company spent DM 2.5 billion in developing the car, with a further DM 300 million to fix it.

Engines

All A-Class models are powered by four-cylinder engines, with 1.4 L and 1.6 L petrol models at launch (M 166 series), followed by two versions of a 1.7 L diesel engine (OM 668 series). In 1999, a larger 1.9 L petrol model was added, with the 2.1 the last W168 version to be launched in 2002. Also two AMG versions were produced, a 3.2 in 2001 and a 3.8 in 2000, though very few of these were made.

Model	Years	Configuration	Displacement	Power	Torque		Top Speed	Fuel Consumption/Efficiency (EU-Norm combined)
Petrol engines
A 140	1997–2004	M 166 E 14	1397 cm3	at 5,000 rpm	at 3,750 rpm
A 140 L	2001–2004
A 140 Automatic	2000–2004	M 166 E 16 red.	1598 cm3	at 5,000 rpm	at 2,500 rpm
A 140 L Automatic	2001–2004
A 160	1997–2004	M 166 E 16	1598 cm3	at 5,250 rpm	at 4,000 rpm
A 160 L	2001–2004
A 190	1999–2004	M 166 E 19	1898 cm3	at 5,500 rpm	at 4,000 rpm
A 190 L	2001–2004
A 210 Evolution	2002 – 2004	M 166 E 21	2084 cm3	at 5,500 rpm	at 4,000 rpm
A 210 Evolution L
A 32K AMG (Prototype)	2002	M 112 E 32 ML Supercharged	3199 cm3	at 6,100 rpm	at 3,000–4,600 rpm
A 38 AMG (Prototype)	1998	M 166 E 19 (two engines—front and rear)	3796 cm3 (2x 1898 cm3)	at 5,500 rpm	at 4,000 rpm
Diesel engines
A 160 CDI	1998–2001	OM668 DE 17 A red.	1689 cm3	at 3,600 rpm	at 1,500–2,400 rpm
	2001–2004	OM 668 DE 17 LA red.		at 3,600 rpm	at 1,500–2,800 rpm
A 170 CDI	1998–2001	OM 668 DE 17 LA		at 4,200 rpm	at 1,600–3,200 rpm
	2001–2004			at 4,200 rpm	at 1,600–3,600 rpm
A 170 CDI L

Safety

Test	Score	Points
Overall:	N/A	N/A
Adult occupant:	File:Star full.svg	27

Production

DaimlerChrysler invested EUR 900 million in developing the Rastatt plant where the A-Class is produced, and created 1600 new jobs (for a total of 4700). A further 600 people work in the office building at the plant site.

Mercedes-Benz began W168 production on 17 February 1999 at its new Brazilian facility in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais. The Brazilian plant was the company's first factory in South America dedicated to passenger cars, with an investment of US$840 million and 10,000 employees. The factory initially produced A-Class and C-Class models, assembling them from pieces manufactured in Germany. The target for the cars was regional markets (from Argentina to Mexico) with modifications made to the cars to suit local conditions, like a protection for the motor base. By May 2004 production stopped in Rastatt plant. In September 2005 Brazilian Juiz de Fora factory stopped production of A-Class cars.

A210 EVOLUTION

AMG originally considered a highly dynamic, supercharged flagship for the first-generation A-Class, but ultimately chose a more balanced concept that met the demands for comfort, everyday usability, and reliability. The result was the A210 EVOLUTION, derived from the A190 and offered exclusively in silver or black. As only the second Mercedes model to bear the “EVOLUTION” name and limited to 2,629 units, it is a rare and distinctly sporty-luxurious variant. It combined an enlarged M166 engine with extensive equipment—including leather/Alcantara upholstery, an AMG-style body kit, sports suspension, stainless-steel pedals, wide tyres, exclusive 17-inch wheels, and a unique dual-exit stainless-steel exhaust. Available in both short and long versions, the A210 EVOLUTION paired enhanced driving dynamics with the A-Class’s flexible interior concept, while many of its components could also be ordered individually and the Designo programme offered additional high-end customisation options.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class "F-Cell" (2004–)

File:Mercedes-Benz A-Class F-Cell--DC.jpg

Mercedes-Benz A-Class F-Cell concept

It is a version of 5-door A-Class hydrogen fuel cell vehicle with electric motor. It has a driving range of .

Three A-Class F-Cell cars were used in the 2003 Frankfurt International Motor Show for press shuttle service. On 18 June 2004, 4 production F-Cell vehicles were delivered to Deutsche Telekom and BEWAG/Vattenfall Europe in Berlin.

In 2007, the A-Class F-Cell were delivered to Landsvirkjun and Reykjavik Energy.

A DHL version of F-Cell was unveiled in FC EXPO 2008.

Reception

According to a 2008 British customer satisfaction survey by Which?, the A-Class with manufacture years between 1998 and 2004 came third from bottom out of 217 models surveyed with a score of 65 percent.

Second generation (W169; 2004)

Initial release

File:Mercedes-Benz C169 A150 Heck.JPG

Pre-facelift A 150 3-door

File:Mercedes A 150 Elegance (W169) rear 20100405.jpg

Pre-facelift A 150 Elegance 5-door

The W169 is constructed with high-strength steel alloys with bonded joints. Standard equipment included front as well as combined head and thorax-protection side airbags. The front airbags are adaptive with two-stage gas generators operating according to the severity of accident. Optionally rear side airbags (for side-impacts in the backseats) and side-curtain airbags were available.

The force exerted by the seat belt system during a collision adapts dynamically to collision characteristics. The 'active' head restraints (standard for driver and front passenger) reduce neck injury, especially in rear collisions.

The cargo capacity of the W169 was increased by 15 percent over the W168.

Seven four-cylinder engines were available: four petrol (gasoline) (A 150, A 170, A 200, A 200 Turbo) and three diesel (A 160 CDI, A 180 CDI, A 200 CDI) partnered with either five- or six-speed manual gearbox. A continuously variable transmission system called "Autotronic Constantly Variable Transmission" (CVT) is an optional feature.

The petrol A 200 Turbo provides and of torque (rotational force); the diesel A 200 CDI has and .

The most powerful engine achieved 0- in 8.0 seconds with a top speed of . The newly developed direct-injection CDI diesel units use a common-rail direct injection system that improves fuel consumption and reduces exhaust emissions and engine noise.

All the engines meet the tight EU4 emissions limits. A particulate filter system is available as an option for the diesel units to reduce particulate emissions by about 99% without the need for additives.

The A-Class is a front wheel drive car and features traction control (ASR) as standard, as well as electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes (ABS).

Handling is improved by precision tracking and anti-roll support, and by a Parabolic Rear Axle.

A "Selective Damping System", in which the shock absorber forces respond differently according to conditions, is standard. For example, under normal conditions it operates at soft absorption; while cornering at speed it changes to full damping force.

Sales of the W169 were targeted at 50,000 units in 2004. Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes Car Group, said that target had been reached even before vehicles arrived in dealer showrooms.

Japan models went on sale in 2005-02-04. Early models include 5-door right drive versions of A 170, A 170 Elegance, A 200 Elegance. 5-door right drive version of A 200 TURBO Elegance was added in 2005-11-10. Due to the body width being larger than 1700 mm, it could not be registered as small car in Japan. (See Vehicle size class#Japan)

2008 update

File:Mercedes-Benz A 180 CDI Elegance (W 169) – Innenansicht, 30. März 2011, Wülfrath.jpg

Pre-facelift interior

The W169 Model facelift changes included redesigned front and rear fascias and lights, and optional stop-start function on A 150 and 170 models. Active Park Assist enables the car to parallel park itself, with only throttle and brake inputs required from the driver.

The five-door Hatchback and the three-door Coupé vehicles debuted in spring 2008, alongside the refreshed 2009 M-Class and B-Class. Early models include A 160 CDI, A 180 CDI, A 200 CDI, A 150, A 170, A 200, A 200 TURBO.

Japan models went on sale in late August 2008. Early models 5-door versions of A 170, A 170 Elegance. Japan models of A 170 was renamed to A 180 in August 2009.

A-Class Special Edition 2009 (2009)

The Special Edition is a limited (5500 units) version for all model variants of the A-Class. It includes the BlueEfficiency package, black radiator louvres, 16-inch titanium silver light-alloy wheels in a new 9-spoke design (tyre size 195/55 R16), a "Special Edition" badge on the mirror triangle, two-tone colour scheme in black and grey, Audio 20 radio with CD player and Bluetooth hands-free system and the Light and Sight package with a rain sensor, automatically dimming rear-view mirror, an illuminated vanity mirror in the sun visor, separately adjustable reading lights in the rear, a reading light for the driver and illuminated front foot wells, Seating Comfort package (height-adjustable front passenger seat, seat cushion angle adjustment and lumbar supports for the driver and front passenger). Standard exterior features also include fog lamps and a free choice of metallic paint finish.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class E-CELL (2010)

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class E-CELL was introduced in September 2010 and debuted at the October 2010 Paris Motor Show. The E-Cell has a range of capable of developing a peak output of , a continuous power rating of and a maximum torque of 290 N·m (214 lb·ft). The Mercedes A-Class E-Cell can accelerate from 0–60 km/h (37 mph) in 5.5 seconds, and its top speed is .

Tesla Motors, as part of its collaboration with Mercedes-Benz, built electric powertrain components for the E-Cell. The 36 kWh battery contains approximately 4,000 individual lithium-ion cells. Mercedes has developed a modular system for electric vehicles with battery and fuel-cell. This system allows the efficient use of shared parts in all the brand's electric vehicles. Thanks to the modular approach the electric drive of the A‑Class E‑Cell is also used in the B‑Class F‑Cell, and the energy storage units in the A‑Class EV are the same as the battery in the Smart fortwo electric drive.

A limited production of 500 A-Class E-Cell electric cars will be built, for trial purposes, at the Mercedes Rastatt plant, near Stuttgart beginning in September 2010. As part of a demonstration program, the cars will be leased to selected customers in several European countries, including Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Daimler is not planning to sell the electric version outside Europe.

A 180 Final Edition (2012)

The Final Edition is a limited (300 units) version of 5-door righthand drive A 180 for the Japanese market. It included calcite white body colour, black interior colour, sport package (chrome exhaust tip, 17-inch 7-spoke alloy wheels, chrome iridium silver front grille, stainless acceleration and brake pedals with rubber stud, leather wrapped sport steering wheel and silver shift knob, silver meter panel), bi-xenon headlights and headlight washer, cornering lights, fog lamps (front/rear), rain sensor, sun visor with illuminating mirror, anti-glare mirrors, 'Final Edition' emblem, and floor mats with 'Final Edition' silver logo plates.

The vehicle went on sale on 28 May 2012.

Technical data

Specification	A 160 CDI	A 180 CDI	A 200 CDI	A 150	A 170	A 200	A 200 Turbo
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Luggage (l)	435–1995
(3 doors)	435–1485
Empty weight (5-doors)
(3 doors)
Tank Capacity
Tank Reserve
Cylinders	diesel 4/in-line 4-valv/cyl - Gasoline 4/in-line 2-valv/cyl
Displacement cc	1991	1991	1991	1498	1699	2034	2034
Engine	2.0L Turbo Diesel			1.5L Petrol	1.7L Petrol	2.0 Petrol	2.0 Turbo Petrol
Fuel per 100 km	4.9L	5.2L	5.4L	6.2L	6.6L		7.2L
Rated Output kW/hp/PS (rpm)	60/80/82 (4200)	80/107/109 (4200)	103/138/140 (4200)	70/94/95 (5200)	85/114/116 (5500)	100/134/136 (5750)	142/190/193 (4850)
Rated Torque	(1400–2600)	(1600–2600)	(1600–2600)	(3500–4000)	(3500–4000)	(3500–4000)	(1800–4850)
Acceleration 0–100 km/h (0-62 mph) (sec)	15.0	10.8	9.5	12.6	10.9	9.9	8.0
Top Speed
Transmission	5-speed manual	6-speed manual	6-speed manual	5-speed manual	5-speed manual		6-speed manual
Wheels	6j x 15	6j x 15	6j x 16	6j x 15	6j x 15	6j x 16	6j x 16
Tires	185/65R15	185/65R15	195/55R16	185/65R15	185/65R15	195/55R16	195/55R16

Specification	W169 (5 door)	W168 (long wheelbase)	W168 (standard)
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
VDA boot capacity L	435–1370	470–1180	390–1040

Production

As of 4 December 2006, 371,700 second generation A-Class units had been sold since September 2004, making it a total of 1,500,000 A-Class produced at DaimlerChrysler's Rastatt plant in ten years.

As of 26 June 2009, the 750,000th second generation A-Class vehicle was built at the Rastatt plant.

As of 1 February 2012, 1 million second generation A-Class vehicles had been delivered since autumn 2004.

In 2021, the Mercedes A-Class achieved the title of 4th best-selling car in the UK having achieved a total of 30,710 registrations.

Third generation (W176; 2012)

Template:Short description Template:Template other The model was introduced at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show officially as a subcompact executive / C-segment model for the first time after being a supermini / B-segment for fifteen years. This model does not offer a 3-door model, due to the decreasing popularity of 3-door models and its larger size. The W176 was available in some markets from September 2012. Models in the Japanese market went on sale in January 2013.

The design for the third generation of A-Class was based on the 2011 Concept A-Class and was unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. The facelifted model of the W176 was presented in Q3 2015. Orders for the facelifted model had started in July 2015, and mass production started in September. The facelift had added updated lights, technology, and models. The model was initially built exclusively in Rastatt. However, from late 2013 it was also built in Uusikaupunki, Finland for certain countries.

• Rear view
  Rear view
• Interior
  Interior

Fourth generation (W177; 2018)

Template:Short description Template:Template other The W177 hatchback was launched in 2018 as the successor to the W176 Mercedes-Benz A-Class and sales commenced in March 2018. It is available as a 5-door hatchback (W177 model code), 4-door sedan (V177), and a long-wheelbase sedan exclusive to China (Z177). In North America, the hatchback is available in Canada and Mexico, but in the US, only the sedan is available.

The fourth generation A-Class hatchback was unveiled to media in February 2018 in Amsterdam ahead of its public debut at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. At launch Mercedes-Benz revealed the vehicle's "predator face", which is also implemented in the C257 CLS and C118 CLA, which will not spread throughout the brand's entire range of cars.

• Rear view
  Rear view
• Interior
  Interior

Sales

Year	Europe	Australia
1997	6,184
1998	118,058
1999	177,275
2000	168,897
2001	161,962
2002	149,327
2003	130,051
2004	126,294
2005	173,548
2006	148,001
2007	136,349
2008	125,671
2009	109,568
2010	106,983
2011	88,025
2012	70,108
2013	131,258
2014	121,231	4,676
2015	119,475	3,629
2016	141,800	4,335
2017	143,550	4,768
2018	153,882	4,175
2019	198,926	4,689
2020	158,955	6,054
2021	118,439	3,793
2022		2,840
2023		2,392
2024		1,997

References

Bibliography

General

• Template:Barrett-IBG-MB-2
• Template:Bols-MBP
• Template:MBPersonenwagen-4
• Template:Hofner-Schrader-MBA-2
• Template:Deutsche Autos-6
• Template:Typenkompass MB-2
• Template:Niemann-PvMB
• Template:Schlegelmilch-M-2013
• Template:Taylor-MB 1990s

Workshop manuals

• Template:Bentley-MB Technical

External links

• Official website Template:Webarchive

Model

Body

1990s

2000s

2010s

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

A

Hatch

W168

W169

W176

W177

Sedan

V177

B

MPV

W245

W246

W247

C

Saloon

W201

W202

W203

W204

W205

Estate

S202

S203

S204

S205

E

Saloon

W124

W210

W211

W212

W213

Limousine

V124

V212

V213

Estate

S124

S210

S211

S212

S213

S

Saloon

W126

W140

W220

W221

W222

Limousine

V126

V140

V220

V221

V222, X222

Pullman

VF126

VF140

VF220

VV221

VV222

CLA

4-door coupé

C117

C118

Shooting brake

X117

X118

CLS

4-door coupé

C219

C218

C257

Shooting brake

X218

CLC/C

Hatchback coupé

CL203

Coupé

C204

C205

Cabriolet

A205

CLK/E

Coupé

C124

C208

C209

C207

C238

Cabriolet

A124

A208

A209

A207

A238

Straßenversion

GTR

LM

CL/S

Coupé

C126

C140

C215

C216

C217

Cabriolet

A217

SLK/SLC

Roadster

R170

R171

R172

SL

R129

R230

R231

SLS/GT

Coupé

C197

C190

Roadster

R197

R190

4-door coupé

X290

SLR

Coupé

C199

Roadster

R199

Speedster

Z199

Vaneo

MPV

W414

R

W251

V

W447

GLA

Crossover

X156

GLB

Crossover

X247

Musso/GLK/GLC

SUV

Musso FJ

X204

X253

SUV coupé

C253

EQC

SUV

N293

M/GLE

SUV

W163

W164

W166

W167

SUV coupé

C292

GL/GLS

SUV

X164

X166

X167

G

Off-road vehicle

W460/461

W463

Musso Sports/X

Pickup truck

Musso Sports P100

W470

Citan

LCV

W415

Vito & Viano

MB100

W638

W639

W447

Sprinter

T1

W901–W905

NCV3

VS30

Vario

T2

W670

Model

Body

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

1990s

2000s

2010s