Though the B-Class takes the cake for the smallest Benz available on our shores, the A-Class model has been met with success over the pond in Europe. An economical and safe small car, the tiny tourer has undergone a redesign, and the new-generation model will be debuted at the Auto Mobil International (AMI) show in Leipzig.
Notable are features like the ECO start and stop functions, which allow the high-volume A-150 and A-170 models to reduce their fuel consumption in stop and go traffic. An award-winning CDI version is also available with a manual transmission, boasting fuel usage as low as 4.5 L / 100km. Visually, the A-Class boasts a more youthful and dynamic body, while the interior is packed full of useful storage compartments and trimmed with a new selection of premium materials for an upper-scale feel that adds value to the package. New safety features from the luxury car scene include flashing brake lights, which illuminate with an eye-grabbing 'strobe' effect when the driver panic-stops, as well as a full compliment of airbags, head restraints and accident interior lighting. The latter function provides post-impact illumination to help occupants and emergency personnel after a crash.Other features include a park-assist program, navigation and a Bluetooth-capable audio interface. The AMI show opens this weekend.
photo: Mercedes-Benz