Since its global launch last February of this year, the all-new Mercedes-Benz A-Class has introduced to the world a completely unique and innovative experience thanks to its seductive styling and revolutionary MBUX infotainment system. Tonight, the German brand’s revolutionary luxury hatchback has finally reached the Philippine shores, offering Filipino consumers the most innovative tech available in the entry level luxury segment.
Launched tonight at the brand’s media thanksgiving party with the theme #JustLikeYou, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class represents a new era for the brand. The new A-Class is aimed at younger customers whom are a more tech-savvy bunch, as highlighted by the A-Class’ numerous new tech features that make the car even more integrated into our mobile lifestyles. This is all thanks to the new and revolutionary MBUX infotainment system, which has made its debut in the brand’s entry level luxury offering.
As with every Mercedes, style comes out high on the priority list, and the new A-Class sedan delivers. On the outside, the A-Class utilizes the brand’s Sensual Purity design language, which debuted in the CLS four-door coupe. The focus is towards the car’s shape, rather than using unnecessary character lines to give the car some flair. Up front, it has a stylish grille that we first saw from the Mercedes-Benz CLS, flanked by LED headlights with the “torch-like” LED daytime running lights. The hood has been made lower, giving it a sleeker, more elongated appearance. At the back, the tail lights have been made narrower and sleeker, giving it a very dynamic presence at night.
Two freestanding displays dominate the interior of the A-Class, which are placed on top of an “avant-garde” dashboard that features multiple shapes, surfaces, and materials that make the A-Class an even more luxurious place to be in. The top trim A200 Edition 1 features ambient LED lighting, which surrounds multiple parts of the interior, giving the A-Class’s interior an unparalleled level of luxury in its segment. Rear passengers, meanwhile, are treated to class-leading leg room and head room.
While the A-Class serves as the brand’s entry-level offering, the multimedia tech it offers, is unparalleled for the entire Mercedes-Benz brand. The major highlight of the A-Class’ interior is its new MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system, which Mercedes promises it will provide the same functionality as a smartphone. In that sense, the new A-Class delivers, and this is mainly due to the voice assistant function that MBUX has.
Just like in a smartphone, MBUX’s voice assistant can be activated in two ways. Either simply press a button on the steering wheel, or summon the voice assistant by saying “Hey, Mercedes.” From there, you can give numerous commands to the system. The best part about MBUX’s voice assistant is its conversational nature. The driver does not need to follow a script in order to give commands, rather, the system can easily understand casual commands such as “I feel hot” which will prompt the system to cool the cabin, or “I want to eat a burger” which will prompt the system to set a destination to the nearest burger joint.
Three variants are available at launch, the A200 Edition 1 (as shown), A200 Progressive, and A180 Progressive. Standard features on all models include the aforementioned MBUX infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ARTICO man made leather interior cruise control, LED daytime running lights, diamond pattern grille, passive entry with push button start, reversing camera, electrically adjustable driver’s seat, as well as added safety features such as Attention Assist, and Dynamic Select. The A200 Progressive adds LED headlights, automatic folding mirrors when locking the vehicle, as well as Active Park Assist, which automatically parks the vehicle in parallel or perpendicular. Lastly, the A200 Edition 1 is fully loaded, featuring the dual 10.25-inch displays for the gauges and MBUX infotainment screen, as well as a tire inflator kit, 19-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, AMG Line exterior, and Edition Green stitching details on the interior and exterior.
Under the hood of the A-Class hatchback are two engine choices. The A200 models feature a 1.4-liter inline-4 turbocharged petrol engine, producing 160 hp and 250 Nm of torque. Lastly, the A180 utilizes a 1.3-liter inline-4 turbocharged petrol engine, producing 136hp and 200Nm of torque. Both engines are mated to a 7-speed DCT.
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class goes on sale starting tomorrow. Prices start at P2,490,000 for the A180 Progressive, A200 Progressive at P2,990,000, and lastly, the top trim A200 Edition 1, which tops out at P3,290,000.
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