2012/2013 Mercedes Benz A Class

[Wretched]

I have to say while not exciting it doesn't look too bad, i really expected something terrible like their previous A class attempts.

[Polyal]

So like a 1 series now?

[Smoke Pursuit]

Looks good... Lets hope they bring it with a decent engine range.

[Cheese3]

hawt!

[fou_bleu]

The A25 AMG is certainly a 'cool' hot hatch! The grille treatment is certainly interesting!

Most impressive thing for me would be the minimalist yet still contemporary interior! 10/10 Mercedes!

[Resurrection]

Originally Posted by 4RD4TW

The A25 AMG is certainly a 'cool' hot hatch! The grille treatment is certainly interesting!

Most impressive thing for me would be the minimalist yet still contemporary interior! 10/10 Mercedes!

Give me an A63 version please!

[tranquilized]

Looks great, worlds ahead of the older mini-van-like A Class. I'd still take a RWD BMW 1 any day though.

[csv8]

Mercedes-Benz A-Class at a glance

Price: From $30,000 to $50,000 (estimate)
Engines: Turbo 1.6- and 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol (90 to 155kW), 1.8- and 2.2-litre diesel (80 to 125kW)
Transmissions: Six-speed manual, seven-speed dual clutch auto
Aerodynamics: 0.26Cd
Technology highlights: Low-speed auto-braking, radar cruise control, auto-dipping high beam, self-parking, blind spot warning, lane wander warning, speed sign recognition, rear camera
On sale: Early 2013

My comment : if the base model comes in at around $30k, thats going to be interesting!!! mmm Focus Titanium or MB?? MB has more cred.

[dimka100]

Its very good looking ... nice economy too

[duaned]

I like. Looking at the quality of switchgear in the MB makes the switchgear in the FG look it belongs in a Lada Niva!

[Bossxr8]

Whats with the stupid grille and red striping on the lower bumper on the A250. Nice way to ruin a pretty good looking car.

Are they doing the rumoured AMG turbo version?

[4.0i OHC]

Well, it's ugly, but unfortunately, going by recent Mercedes-Benz form, this doesn't really surprise me. The window profile is, as with every other current Merc, vomit-inducing. I'd take the excellent 1 series any day.

[henry 351]

Originally Posted by 4.0i OHC

Well, it's ugly, but unfortunately, going by recent Mercedes-Benz form, this doesn't really surprise me. The window profile is, as with every other current Merc, vomit-inducing. I'd take the excellent 1 series any day.

So, based on this rationale, you would prefer an M3 sedan over a C63 on aesthetics and design. I think the Benz has it all over the M3 for presence, inclusive of window profile. But that's just my opinion, as you have yours.

[Nic85]

Looks really good. Surprisingly a lot like the new Kia Rio / Hyundai i30.

Small turbo petrol/diesel (low consumption) will mean low purchase price. The problem will be the never ending list of options, as is the case with all Mercedes. Hopefully the lower end model will get some decent kit and we can skip all the nancy stuff like auto dipping headlights, lane departure and radar cruise control.

[tranquilized]

Well heres its main competitor;



New 125i, 160kw/310Nm 2.0 litre turbo 4, $45,700

Hate the new front end, although they do look a lot better in the flesh.

[Till_Lind]

Mercedes have the upper hand for looks nowadays over BMW, to be sure. Shame really. Saw a new AMG CLS tonight, that thing makes a statement.

[tranquilized]

Originally Posted by Till_Lind

Mercedes have the upper hand for looks nowadays over BMW, to be sure. Shame really. Saw a new AMG CLS tonight, that thing makes a statement.

Oh I dunno, the new 7 and 5 series are absolutely stunning I reckon. A bit more conservative than previous generations, but they really stand out on the road. New 3 looks good to I think.

Mercedes are hit and miss as well. I hate the new E class, but the current S and C class look quite good.

Obviously looks are subjective, but I think the general consensus is that MB styling is going down hill...

[Brazen]

Love it!!! Big call, but I think this is the best Merc ever. It's daring its different and it has character - everything a car made I'm the second decade of the 21st century should be.

[smoo]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Love it!!! Big call, but I think this is the best Merc ever. It's daring its different and it has character - everything a car made I'm the second decade of the 21st century should be.

Best Merc ever?! Lol maybe check out W108, 123, 116, 126. Real Mercedes that were built to a standard not a budget unlike the crap they've put out the last 20 years that will get lost in a supermarket carpark.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by smoo

Best Merc ever?! Lol maybe check out W108, 123, 116, 126. Real Mercedes that were built to a standard not a budget unlike the crap they've put out the last 20 years that will get lost in a supermarket carpark.

This thing is cheaper than a base model Falcon.

[smoo]

Originally Posted by Brazen

This thing is cheaper than a base model Falcon.

Well it should be in such a competitive market place, it is nothing more than a Euro Corolla much like a Golf, 308, Citroën C4 etc, it's rrp in Europe will reflect that. All things relative they pay less for an E Class or 5 Series than we do for a Falcon so it's nothing new.

[pursuit2359]

Originally Posted by smoo

Best Merc ever?! Lol maybe check out W108, 123, 116, 126. Real Mercedes that were built to a standard not a budget unlike the crap they've put out the last 20 years that will get lost in a supermarket carpark.

Agreed. I think Mercedes used to be run by engineers, but is now run by accountants. In the early 1990s, consumers seemed to decide that Lexus was better value and that BMWs were better "driver's cars". In the interests of profitability, Mercedes-Benz cut costs and relied on its name to sell product that wasn't up to their previous standards.

I don't see the A-Class as a true Mercedes.

[Elks]

A45 is the range topper, if we get it here in OZ it will be $80k est.

0~100 4.9 sec. AWD with rear bias.

That car will be just awesome.

[Hayden1]

Originally Posted by Elks

A45 is the range topper, if we get it here in OZ it will be $80k est.

0~100 4.9 sec. AWD with rear bias.

That car will be just awesome.

Where did you hear that? That would be amazing

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by pursuit2359

Agreed. I think Mercedes used to be run by engineers, but is now run by accountants. In the early 1990s, consumers seemed to decide that Lexus was better value and that BMWs were better "driver's cars". In the interests of profitability, Mercedes-Benz cut costs and relied on its name to sell product that wasn't up to their previous standards.

I don't see the A-Class as a true Mercedes.

The old Mercedes were built like tanks but they drove like them too. Last couple of years they have got their quality back and they can now steer too.

[pursuit2359]

Originally Posted by Brazen

The old Mercedes were built like tanks but they drove like them too. Last couple of years they have got their quality back and they can now steer too.

I can't vouch for the quality, but Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Jaguar used to have distinct steering/handling characteristics -
1. Mercedes-Benz had well-damped suspension (emphasis on comfort) and not so much steering feel;
2. BMWs had firmer suspension, faster steering ratios and greater steering feedback;
3. Jaguars had a supple ride (often describedas a "magic carpet").
Perhaps influenced by motoring journalists or the public, every manufacturer seems to be trying to make "driver's cars" that are "dynamic". I think I miss the emphasis on comfort and quality, since those things are more relevant to me in 95 per cent of the driving I do.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by smoo

Best Merc ever?! Lol maybe check out W108, 123, 116, 126. Real Mercedes that were built to a standard not a budget unlike the crap they've put out the last 20 years that will get lost in a supermarket carpark.

Er... 'scuse me you forgot the W124!!

(230E.... 535,000kms and still going well )

[Conrad]

Originally Posted by smoo

Best Merc ever?! Lol maybe check out W108, 123, 116, 126. Real Mercedes that were built to a standard not a budget unlike the crap they've put out the last 20 years that will get lost in a supermarket carpark.

Just the biggest load of crap i've ever heard. It's extrememly rare to find one in good condition and when you do they are still worse than any falcon i've ever driven.

[fou_bleu]

The new BMW's are looking pretty good! The 1er looks best in M Sport guise (http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/06/2...ter-by-a-nose/ - it fixes the space issue between the lights and grille for me) and the new 3er is pretty suave in any spec.

[Djrystofer]

Very slr-ey in the interior
Exterior looks too much like a Volvo s60
Would be complete luxury to drive though.