Mercedes-Benz A-Class facelift unmasked, minor updates inside and out [+Video]



The facelifted baby Merc has been revealed with subtle exterior refresh and an updated engine line up. Debuted back in 2012, the latest enhancements brings the W176 A-Class up to date with sharper looks and improved efficiency throughout the range.

As tradition follows, the A 45 also gets an update, which includes engine revisions to extend its lead as the world’s most powerful series production four cylinder engine in the world. Mercedes also announced that the new A 45 AMG will instead be known as Mercedes-AMG A 45 4MATIC from this point onwards.

Mercedes-Benz-A220d (4)

EXTERIOR

The exterior tweaks carry minimal changes to the lights and bumpers front and back. The dazzling diamond grille is retained, but the signature eyebrow LED DRLs in the headlamps have been given an update to a single LED tube on each side. There’s an option to equip the A-Class with LED High Performance headlamps too.

The sides are left untouched but at the back the tail lights receive new LED pattern while the tailpipes are now integrated into the new rear bumper.

Mercedes-Benz A-Klasse (W 176) 2015 Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W 176

Among several trims available for the new A-Class is a special “Motorsport Edition” that pays tribute to the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula 1 team. Available on the A 200/A 200 d upwards, it features an AMG kit that looks almost like the ones fitted to the AMG A 45, but with flashes of petrol green on the bumpers, wheels, side mirror caps, and the rear spoiler.

INTERIOR

The cabin is largely similar as before but you can spot there’s a new steering wheel, and behind that Mercedes said they’ve given the dials some new graphics. The buttons on the center panel are also redesigned, while the free-standing screen at the top grows up to eight inches.

Mercedes-Benz A-Klasse (W 176) 2015 Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W 176

The seat cushion depth can now be adjusted by up to 60 mm on all A-Class models, and there’s an option for an ambience lighting with twelve colours and five dimming levelsMobile connectivity comes in the form of Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink, but it will only be available from early next year.

Like the exterior, the interior of the “Motorsport Edition” is decorated with petrol green highlights, on the air vents, seats, and even on the seat belts.

PERFORMANCE

Five diesel variants or seven petrol variants can be had on the facelifted A-Class. The A 160 d and A 180 d use a 1,461 cc 4-cylinder diesel that generates 90 hp and 240 Nm, and 109 hp and 260 Nm respectively. Both sips around 3.7 litres to 4.1 litres per 100 km, but there’s another variant of the A 180 d that sips only 3.5 litres per 100 km, which is the A 180 d BlueEFFICIENCY Edition.

Mercedes-Benz A-Klasse (W 176) 2015 Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W 176

Another diesel engine is a 2,143 cc 4-cylinder in the A 200 d and the A 220 d. It generates 136 hp and 300 Nm in the former, and 177 hp and 350 Nm in the latter. Fuel consumption is from 3.8 litres to 4.9 litres per 100 km, and both the A 200 d and the A 220 d have the option of the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system.

The petrol engine starts with a 1,595 cc 4-cylinder used in the A 160, A 180, and the A 200. Power outputs are 102 hp and 180 Nm in the A 160, 122 hp and 200 Nm in the A 180, and 156 hp and 250 Nm in the A 200, while fuel consumption range from 5.1 litres to 5.7 litres per 100 km. Like the A 180 d, the petrol A 180 is also available in BlueEFFICIENCY Edition that sips only 5.2 litres per 100 km.

Another petrol engine is a 1,991 cc 4-cylinder in the A 220 and the A 250. In the former it produces 184 hp and 300 Nm while sipping from 6.3 litres to 6.6 litres per 100 km, in the latter it produces 211 hp and 350 Nm with a fuel consumption from 5.8 litres to 6.7 litres per 100 km. Another variant is the A 250 Sport, which gets its power increased to 218 hp.

Mercedes-Benz A-Klasse (W 176) 2015Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W 176

The 4MATIC all-wheel drive system is standard on the A 220, but optional on the A 250. A seven-speed 7G-DCT dual clutch transmission with “Launch Assist” function is available as an option to all models except the BlueEFFICIENCY Edition models, which only available with a six-speed manual gearbox.

Standard in the A 200 d, A 220 d, A 220, and A 250 (optional on the other A-class models) is the DYNAMIC SELECT system where the drivers can select from four driving modes: Comfort, Sport, Eco and Individual via the controller on the center console. It adjusts the ride and handling characteristics of the car as well as throttle response to suit each driving mode selected.

Mercedes-Benz A-Klasse (W 176) 2015 Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W 176

SAFETY

Fitted as standard, the ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection system has been upgraded to work between 60 km/h to 200 km/h. Other than that, DISTRONIC PLUS distance control is offered, as well as COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS with autonomous partial braking.

WHAT ELSE?

In Europe, the facelifted A-Class will be available as early as July, but there’s no word on the Malaysian launch date. The W176 A-Class range in Malaysia currently consists of the A 200 and the A 250, so expect the similar range repeated again for the facelifted A-Class.


IMAGE GALLERY

Mercedes-Benz W176 A-Class

Mercedes-AMG A 45 4MATIC