Mercedes New Mercedes A-Class W177 (2018)
18.04.2018
- Driving report
- MBUX operating system
- Voice control in the video
- Motors and drive
- Conclusion and price
S e since 2012 the A-Class (internal W176) has been at the start in Germany. Their MFA platform (modular front-wheel drive platform) also served as the technical basis for the B-Class, GLA, CLA and CLA Shooting Brake. In addition, the Infiniti Q30 and QX30 are currently still based on this platform. Nissan will no longer use the new platform, but eight Mercedes models will be based on the new MFA2 base. New to the compact family include a notchback sedan, which should be of particular interest for the Chinese market, and the GLB, which, as a small SUV, is supposed to be based on the G-Class.
More wheelbase, more space for the new A. -Class W177
The A-Class (W177) brings MFA2 three centimeters more wheelbase for more space in the rear. However, the total length grew by a whopping 12 centimeters to almost 4.42 meters. For comparison: the Golf VII is only 4.28 meters long. The width of the A-Class now measures around 1.80 meters (plus 1.8 centimeters) without mirrors in the rear, but there should be up to 3.6 centimeters more freedom of movement for the occupants. The height increased by one centimeter to 1.44 meters. The trunk is now 370 liters (plus 29 liters).
Mercedes
The dimensions of the new Mercedes A-Class
On the chassis side, the front track increased by at least 14 millimeters. For the rear axle there is now as forThe compact-class models of the VW group have two designs: the weaker engine variants have to get by with a torsion-beam rear axle, while the more powerful versions or with all-wheel drive have a four-link rear axle. There is also an active, electronically controlled adjustable damping system for an extra charge. We have already seen how the chassis works.
Mercedes More space and more comfort in the new A -Class.
More space and more comfort in the new A -Class.
The cooperation with the dual clutch transmission works just as smoothly, nothing else is expected from a Mercedes - one with the only one at first Diesel costs more than 30,000 euros. But much more exciting is the question of how the new MBUX operating system proves itself at the first encounter. Well, the speech recognition and the ability of the accompanying computer systems to convert freely formulated speeches into correct operating steps, that's great.
But the voice control does not understand anything, and it is not immediately obvious why something is happening as simple as changing the system language is apparently not planned. The driver has to go to the vehicle menu using the screen. Incidentally, it is not new that double and triple operation via controller, steering wheel buttons and touchscreen is also easier to imagine.
Otherwise, the A 180 d is a pleasant place to stay, sensitively springy (with adaptive dampers, 1,178 euros) fine steering as well as that agile handling that already distinguished the previous series. And the A-Class has grown big, but we already mentioned that.
We were able to experience how the A-Class drives without the optional adjustable dampers in a pre-production car in the front passenger seat.
Ride a Mercedes A-Class
Doesn't he see it? So he has to ... at least a little ... to the left, maybe? There is still room ... too late! A thud, the sunk manhole cover hits the chassis of the still camouflaged Mercedes A-Class like a left straight, the 18-inch front right wheel plops in, then the rear right. But the spring-damper combination responds reliably and processes the impulse properly. Matthias Stahl, project coordinator NVH for the A-Class Generation 4, W177 series, is satisfied. “Compared to the still current model, we were able to optimize the connection to the body and minimize the suggestions,” explains the engineer.
Need for improvement in comfort
Oh, pardon, NVH, of course: That The abbreviation stands for noise, vibration, harshness, i.e. everything that could disturb the impression of comfort, but is also necessary to a certain extent for a certain driving experience. Christoph Meier, Head of NVH Body and Chassis Cars, added earlier at the meeting point in the acoustics laboratory: “There should be some feedback on the driving condition and road. Up until now, the A-Class has been a very active car, now it has to catch up in terms of comfort. ”
As far as can be judged from the front passenger seat, this development goal has been achieved. On the sometimes rather wavy country roads in the area around Sindelfingen, the chassis copes well with the various suggestions and movesonly a little, only very muffled noises penetrate the interior, which testify to the work in the wheel arches.
Standard chassis without adaptive dampers
Adaptive dampers, definitely, or Mr Stahl? 'No, the standard chassis is in here'. Oh okay Alternatively, there will be a mechanical sports suspension and, for an additional charge (1,178 euros), adjustable dampers with two defined characteristics - comfort and sport. 'The new rear axle is also better decoupled,' adds Stahl. New rear axle? More precisely two. A torsion beam axle is used for the less powerful versions, while a four-link construction is used for the others.
Safety systems from the S-Class
According to Mercedes, the new A-Class can be used for the first time in certain driving situations drive partially automated. According to Mercedes, the improved driver assistance systems even have S-Class functions (FAP 4.5) for an additional charge. The active distance and steering assistant, for example, should provide even better support; the speed is e.g. automatically adjusted even for curves, intersections or roundabouts. There are also the active emergency stop assistant and an 'intuitively understandable' active lane change assistant. The so-called Pre-Safe Plus can brake the car firmly before a rear-end collision and thus minimize the risk of injury because it reduces the forward jolt caused by the impact.
Daimler The new digital ads in the A-Class.
The new digital ads in the A-Class.
