First look: Next Benz A-class breaks cover

MERCEDES-BENZ has issued the first shots of its 2005 A-class.

The second-generation of the groundbreaking small car is due to go on sale in Europe late in the third quarter of this year.

France’s Paris motor show in September is expected to be the model’s first public outing.

Australians aren’t expected to see the baby Benz until mid-2005.

Stylistically the A-class deviates little from its 1997-vintage predecessor, retaining the one-box design, upswept window profile and wheel at each corner stance.

On the other hand the new A-class incorporates Mercedes’ current fascination with side ridges, overly large taillights and exaggerated wheel arches.

The choice of available body styles grows with this generation – a swoopy three-door hatchback will be the first to join the five-door models. A larger mini-MPV style people mover is also likely.

No decision has been made on whether the three-door will come to Australia.

Mercedes-Benz is abandoning the original A-Class’ 2423mm wheelbase for a 2565mm version.

This is slightly shorter than today’s 2593mm registered by the long-wheelbase model released locally in 2001.

Other dimensional shifts (approximate values only) in the 2005 A-Class include a 3835mm length versus a 3606/3776mm choice in the old car, a 1753mm width compared to 1719mm and 1587mm height against 1575/1589mm short/long in the previous generation.

Some internal measures are also boosted. Shoulder room has grown by up to 97mm, the width provided for passengers’ elbows by up to 95mm and the space at knee height in the rear by 30mm. The distance between the front and rear seats is 805mm, about the same as that found in a medium-size saloon.

Luggage capacity can be up to 1350 litres standard, or 1950 litres in the five-door with 'Easy-Vario-Plus' optioned, which enables both rear seat cushions and the rear seat backrests to be taken out.

The pioneering "sandwich" style floor pan, which houses major drivetrain components designed to slide underneath the passenger compartment in a severe impact, will be retained.

Other A-class safety items include dual-front, head and thorax airbags and electronic stability control.

Its maker says it has patented around 200 other safety and comfort items in the new model.

Mechanically six EURO04-emissions compatible engines will debut with the 2005 A-class. DaimlerChrysler says they’re up to 38 per cent more powerful, 46 per cent torquier and 10 per cent more fuel-efficient.

The model designations are A150 petrol, A170 petrol, A200 petrol, A160 CDI turbo-diesel, A180 CDI turbo-diesel and A200 CDI turbo-diesel. No decision has yet been taken by Benz on whether it will add oil-burners, as Audi has done with the new A3.

Later on an A200 Turbo will arrive, featuring a 142kW/280Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol-powered unit.

Transmission choices will be a new six-speed manual or continuously variable CVT automatic gearbox.

There are also chassis changes, Benz crowing about a parabolic rear axle design, which it claims improves tracking and reduces roll when cornering. Another new feature is selective damping, where the shock absorber forces are adapted to the driving situation.

Promised standard equipment provided with the A-class includes air conditioning, a multifunction steering wheel, speed-dependent power-assisted steering, ESP, a selective damping system, head/thorax-side airbags as well as adaptive front airbags and belt force limiters.

The original A-class was a radical departure for Mercedes-Benz, and by far its smallest model ever, when it debuted at the 1997 Frankfurt motor show.

However, just weeks after its debut, public focus soon shifted when an example rolled over after a severe handling test carried out by a European car magazine known as the "Moose Test".

This caused Mercedes-Benz to delay production as it implemented wider wheels and expensive electronic driver aids in order to prevent any instability.

The publicity failed to damage the car’s long-term reputation, but the subsequent modifications compromised the A-class’ ride comfort.

A minor facelift inside and out joined 2001’s extended wheelbase addition.

Interestingly, Volkswagen’s march upmarket that has led to models such as the luxury Phaeton was prompted by Mercedes-Benz’s early-1990s announcement of its intention to gain a foothold in the VW Golf class with the A-class.

In Australia, the A-class has been a remarkably consistent seller since its October 1998 launch averaging around 1000 units per year. Currently the range here comrpises A160 and A190 variants, with pricing ranging from $34,900 to $44,690.