While a lot of critics said “it looks like someone lent their tablet computer”, or in simple words, “afterthought” for Mercedes’ floating display, there were an equal number of people who kinda liked it. Which is why Mercedes asked them to F.O. and stretched that display all the way to the steering wheel — which we first saw in the new E-Class, and eventually made it to most of the latest family members.
While those in the E and S looks like they’re sort of integrated into the dashboard, the new 2018 A-Class displays are completely floating. Mercedes calls it a completely free-standing widescreen display. This is available in three versions: with two 7-inch (17.78 cm), one 7 and one 10.25-inch (26 cm) or with two 10.25-inch displays. Bonded glass technology has been used for the latter two variants.
The air vents have a turbine look with colour accents — giving the impression of an afterburner. There’s a new steering wheel with touchpads that we saw in the latest models, a total of 64 ambient LED lighting colours, comfort seats with up to 20 adjustments and more. The swivel wheel seems to have gone, and taking its place is a wider touchpad.
Mercedes says that the interior space has been increased with more shoulder-room, elbow-room and head-room. The luggage capacity is 370 litres — 29 litres more than the preceding model. Thanks to two-section rear lights, the loading aperture is 20 cm wider than before, and the luggage compartment floor is 11.5 cm longer. All-round visibility has also been improved by around 10%.
The rear seats have a 60/40 split as standard, and the backrests can be folded down accordingly. A 40/20/40 split is also available. In combination with the Load Compartment package (optional), the rear seat backrest can be positioned more upright, e.g. to accommodate bulky boxes.
Mercedes also shared few facts about the A-Class. In Europe, the average age of owning a new A-Class is more than 13 years less than for drivers of the preceding model series. In China, one in three customers were under the age of 30 in 2016. In western Europe in 2016, 70% of A-Class drivers did not previously drive a Mercedes‑Benz.
Full reveal of the 4th generation A-Class (W177) is due in 2018.
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