MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS: PRICIER, MORE PREMIUM, AND ALL GROWN-UP

摘要

The third generation A-Class transformed the image of Mercedes-Benz following its 2012 launch. Banishing memories of failed 'Elk tests' of the original 1997 car, the sporty design enticed a new generation of more youthful owners to the brand, lowering their average age by a full decade. Given that success, it is perhaps surprising to hear Mercedes-Benz describe the new A-Class as "more grown-up" than its predecessor. The car has certainly grown. With a longer wheelbase increasing interior space -leg, shoulder and elbow room - and a bigger boot (up 29 litres to 370 litres, slightly bigger than the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3), the A-Class becomes more practical as a small family car. It has also matured in terms of both safety technology and multimedia. It has borrowed a lot from the S-Class, including a multifunction steering wheel and fully digital cockpit display, which for the first time in a Mercedes has a touchscreen interface. The A-Class dispenses with the traditional binnacle, replacing it with a 'floating' wide-screen digital display that stretches half the width of the dash and incorporates speedometer, RPM gauge and the sat-nav/ infotainment.