Mercedes-Benz A-Class News

BMW has confirmed key details for the new engine lineup for the 2014 Mini Cooper range, which will make its first public appearance simultaneously at the Tokyo and LA motor shows in November.The new F56 Mini Cooper will be available with a three cylinder engine for the first time, with new 1.5 litre turbo petrol and turbodiesel triples to make up the volume of Mini's most popular model. A 2.0-litre turbocharged four cylinder engine will power the Cooper S model, with the modular units developed by BMW for the first time.The first two Mini generations under BMW's stewardship used engines developed in conjunction with Chrysler and PSA respectively, and the new third-generation BMW model's petrol engines are related to the 170kw 1.5 litre petrol three used by the new i8 hybrid sports coupe.In Mini guise, the direct-injected TwinPower 1.5 litre petrol develops 100kW/220Nm from 1250rpm(with 230Nm on overboost), while the Cooper S-spec direct-injected TwinPower 2.0 litre makes 141kW/280Nm (with 300Nm on overboost).The new 1.5 litre turbodiesel makes 85kW and 270Nm, representing a slight power gain over the current 82kW/270Nm 1.6-litre four.Both petrol engines represent a gain on the existing 90kw/160Nm base 1.6-litre four, and the 135kW/240Nm for the turbocharged Cooper S, while a challenger for the current 155kW/260Nm and 160kw/260Nm John Cooper Works (JCW) range-toppers will likely come later.The 170kW achieved by the three cylinder unit in the i8 suggests that a figure in the vicinity of 226kW is possible for the 2.0-litre JCW models, which could make the smaller Mini a serious rival for the current hot hatch hero Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG.BMW claims that all engines will trump their existing counterparts for fuel efficiency and emissions with Euro 6 compliance, but exact figures will have to wait until the Cooper's November unveiling.Six-speed manual and automatic transmissions will continue to be offered across the range, and a fuel-saving stop/start system will now be standard. Automatic models equipped with satnav will also be able to downshift in preparation for upcoming hills and intersections, using similar technology to the new Rolls Royce Wraith and Ghost models.Kerb weights of the new Cooper lineup have been minimised through the use of construction technology shared with the i3 and i8 models, but once again, Mini is yet to mention specific figures. The new model will continue the Cooper tradition of a dynamically-focused chassis, with a multi-link rear end and single-link spring-strut front end, and adaptive dampers will be available for the first time on Mini models.Following the Cooper's LA and Tokyo debuts, the new model is expected to make its way down under in the second quarter of 2014.This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn  

We’ve seen the new Mercedes A45 AMG take on aliens, cause an argument between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, storm around the Imola and Sydney Motorsport Park race circuits, and some of us have sampled its talents around Phillip Island. But the latest stop on Mercedes’ PR parade for the new baby AMG has taken us to South Africa for the latest official film; titled Silver Slipstreams. The video pits champion downhill skateboarder Decio Lourenco against an A45 driven by former pro-racer Robbi Smith as they hurtle down Franschhoek Pass in the Western Cape of South Africa. Both man and machine were able to enjoy the full width of the road, which was closed from its usual blend of fast motorcycle and slow tourist traffic for the three days of filming. Full of great slow-mo sequences including one spectacular slide through water, the daredevil manoeuvres of Lourenco almost steal the show, but there’s wisps of tyresmoke from the A45 to prove it was hardly coasting.   Watch the Silver Slipstreams video here.   This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn    

The $74,900 A45 AMG may halve the price of entry and average cylinder count of Mercedes-Benz’s performance brand, but the hot hatch well and truly delivers on performance expectations. With claimed 0-100km/h acceleration of 4.6 seconds and a limited top speed of 270km/h, the A45’s hand-built 265kW/450Nm M133 2.0 litre turbocharged engine is touted as “the world's most powerful four-cylinder engine in series production.”   Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG Price: from $74,900 Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo; 265kW/450Nm Transmission: 7-speed auto, all-wheel-drive Thirst: 6.9L/100km                   RIVALS Price: from $64,900 Engine: 3.0L turbo six-cylinder, 235kW/450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic, RWD Thirst: 7.5L/100km, 175g/km CO2 Price: from $54,990 Engine: 2.5L turbo four-cylinder, 221kW/350Nm Transmission: 5-speed automatic, 4WD Thirst: 10.6L/100km, 249g/km CO2 Price: from $61,990 (Evolution X SST) Engine: 2.0L turbo four-cylinder, 217kW/366Nm Transmission: 6-speed dual-clutch automatic, 4WD Thirst: 10.1L/100km, 240g/km CO2  

The $74,900 A45 AMG may halve the price of entry and average cylinder count of Mercedes-Benz’s performance brand, but the hot hatch well and truly delivers on performance expectations.With claimed 0-100km/h acceleration of 4.6 seconds and a limited top speed of 270km/h, the A45’s hand-built 265kW/450Nm M133 2.0 litre turbocharged engine is touted as “the world's most powerful four-cylinder engine in series production.”Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesperson Jerry Stamoulis says the A45’s arrival “will not just revolutionise the hot hatch market, but the performance market as a whole.”Backing that up, the A45’s official 0-100km/h figure eclipses Audi’s $149,400 RS4 Avant by 0.1 seconds, and trails its $154,900 C63 AMG sedan sibling by just two-tenths.  The impressive outputs have been made possible through a combination of piezo direct-injection, twin-scroll turbocharging, water-to-air intercooling, and a forged crankshaft and pistons -- all permitting a stratospheric maximum boost pressure of 26.5psi.The A45’s grunt is channelled through a seven-speed dual-clutch auto with paddle shifters and multiple shift modes, before being sent to all four wheels via Haldex-type all-wheel drive system that splits drive up to 50 per cent when needed. Despite all this caged mechanical lunacy, the A45 uses standard start/stop to return an amazing 6.9l/100km official combined fuel figure – less than a base model Toyota Corolla.The little AMG is the first A-Class to feature all-wheel drive, and includes re-engineered front and rear suspensions and a 350mm/330mm (four piston front) brake package to contain its 1555kg kerb weight.  There’s far more to the A45 story than just performance, with the lengthy standard features list including a panoramic glass sunroof, seven inch multimedia screen, with satnav, 10GB hard-drive and internet capability, plus 12 speaker Harmon Kardon audio, dual-zone climate control and heated seats with memory adjustment. The only remaining options are ($490) blackened wheels, ($1990) 20% stiffer coil springs, a ($1990) aero package, and a spacesaver wheel to expand on the standard puncture kit. An active sports exhaust is also standard, which emits sinfully indulgent cracks and pops when Sport mode is activated, and is reminiscent of a WRC car anti-lag system when in launch-mode.The A45’s interior is unmistakably AMG, with red highlights against perforated leather and trim, flat top and bottomed leather an alcantara multifunction steering wheel, aluminium and carbon-look details, specific sports seats, and numerous AMG logos. The instrument cluster also includes a lap-timer, which is controlled by the steering wheel’s audio controls.  With standard 19 inch multispoke wheels and 235/35 tyres all round, the only remaining options for Australian A45s are ($490) blackened wheels, ($1990) 20% stiffer coil springs, a ($1990) aero package, and a spacesaver wheel to expand on the standard puncture kit.The A45’s safety gear builds on the lesser A-Class models’ five star safety rating, with three stage stability control offering three choices of safety net, plus Distronic Plus active cruise control, blind-spot and lane-keeping assist. Despite such performance potential and high state of tune, the A45 maintains Mercedes’ standard 12 month/20,000km service intervals.The first local deliveries will start on September 1, but Mercedes has already taken 1000 orders for the A45, and expects 300 of these to arrive before the years end. The current A45 waiting list stretches to March 2014, but additional volume will shorten this queue in the new year. Mr Stamoulis confirmed that Australia’s order bank for the A45 currently ranks third globally behind the UK and Japan, with 60 per cent of buyers new to the AMG brand. Those interested in A45 performance in sedan guise will be able to choose the mechanically identical CLA45 AMG from October, with a pricetag of $87,000.    This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn

The world’s fastest hatchback went on sale in Australia today -- and police have already issued a warning to its drivers. The Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG can reach the speed limit faster than a Porsche and has had it top-speed “limiter” increased from 250km/h to 270km/h -- even though there are few race tracks in Australia where such a speed could be reached. Its secret weapon is the world’s most powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Hand-built, it has more grunt than most V8s. Despite costing $75,000 it is sold out until March next year as Australia is one of the biggest “hot hatch” markets in the world. But police have a warning for drivers of the car that can outrun even the nation’s fastest highway patrol vehicles.“There is no reason for vehicles to travel above the speed limit,” said NSW Police Assistant Commissioner, John Hartley, whose highway patrol officers attended seven deaths on NSW roads on Monday in what he described as “a day of horror”.“Plenty of other performance cars are able to do the same speeds (as the Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG). We just hope manufacturers don’t encourage buyers to exploit that speed on the road,” said Mr Hartley. Speaking at the launch of the car in Melbourne today Mercedes-Benz spokesman Jerry Stamoulis said the A45 “has every piece of safety technology available to Mercedes-Benz”.“As always we encourage our (performance-car) buyers to utilise the performance of these vehicles on the race track,” said Mr Stamoulis. The Mercedes-Benz A45 will brake automatically to avoid a collision between 30km/h and 200km/h. If a crash does occur, the interior has nine airbags to protect occupants. The A45 is the most affordable car to ever wear the AMG badge. Until now it had been reserved for exclusive Mercedes-Benz V8 and V12 supercars.This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling 

When you've been making cars for more than a century you pick-up a thing or two. Mercedes-Benz has a rich history in the automobile world and brings this expertise to the new, small, A-Class five door hatch.Such a car would have been almost unthinkable from Benz of old but not now. This is a high-tech, super stylish offering that brings access to the Benz badge and technology right down into the mid-$30,000 bracket. It creates a conflict for possible buyers at this price point.What would you prefer, a “normal” car or a Benz? It's a no brainer really.ORDERSThis is reflected in the order book which shows plenty of pent-up demand for the new A-Class which, by the way, this one has absolutely nothing in common with the previous A-Class apart from the name. Extremely efficient engines range in power from 90 - 155 kW with low emissions and frugal fuel consumption. The car has a best-in-class drag coefficient of Cd 0.27.SAFETYNew A-Class doesn't compromise on safety either with standard safety spec' including a reversing camera, Pre safe crash preparation and the radar-based Collision Prevention Assist.STYLEThe A-Class is completely new, down to the last detail. Its development started with a clean sheet of paper. They came up with a dynamic, “two box”, distinctly Mercedes-Benz external design complete with a high-quality feel to the interior.All trim elements have been given an electroplated finish, resulting in real metal surfaces with “cool touch” effect. The work has been executed with considerable care and attention to detail, so that they appear to have been moulded in one piece.The instrument cluster comprises two large round instruments, each with a small dial set within it. The 3-spoke steering wheel comes with 12 function buttons and an electroplated bezel. A-Class is a five-seater despite the rear pew looking like two individual seats. With the rear seats folded, boot capacity is 1157 litres.POWERTRAINSA wide choice of engines meets nearly every power requirement. All have ECO start/stop function as standard. The engines are combined with the 7G-DCT dual clutch automatic transmission as standard, which ideally combines comfort and sportiness.The 1.6-litre petrol A180 BlueEFFICIENCY achieves 90kW/200Nm output and consumes as little as 5.8-litres/100km. The 1.8-litre diesel A 200 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY achieves 100 kW/300Nm and consumes 4.6 litres/100 km.The 1.6-litre petrol A 200 BlueEFFICIENCY achieves 115kW/250 Nm and sips a mere 6.1 litres/100 km. The 2.0-litre A 250 Sport achieves 155kW/350 Nm using 6.6 litres/100km. All engines are new as is the transmission.Thanks to the modular system it has been possible to select the optimally designed transmission for each diesel and petrol engine.DYNAMICSRefined yet sporty dynamics are aided by the car's four-link rear axle, electromechanical power steering with assistance functions and ESP with “Extended Traction Control” (XTC).The new A-Class has passed a rigorous program of crash tests. This includes not only some 30 different impact configurations, which are laid down as requirements for safety ratings and international type approval, but also nine proprietary crash tests, such as the roof-drop test or the pole impact test, developed by the brand itself.GOODIESThe Becker Map Pilot makes a low-cost 3D navigation function available for the Audio 20 head unit. The navigation system boasts voice-controlled input of destinations and an intuitive user interface.COMMANDOnline now provides internet access via various web-enabled mobile phone, plus various Mercedes-Benz services on the move.

A Mercedes-Benz that’s cheaper than a new Holden Commodore goes on sale in Australia today.Despite the $35,600 pricetag the Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatchback has more standard equipment than a $35,990 Holden Commodore SV6 sedan.The budget-priced baby Benz -- loaded with nine airbags, a rear view camera and a crash alert system, among other standard fare -- is the starkest example yet of the challenges facing local car makers.The prices of imported cars are at record lows thanks to the sustained strength of the dollar, and Australians are living it up.Imported cars now account for 90 per cent of new vehicles sold; a decade ago imports represented 75 per cent of the market. Half a century ago they represented less than half of new car sales.“Last week we had the highest order intake in our 50-plus year history in Australia,” said Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman David McCarthy. “Mercedes-Benz is no longer out of reach of the ordinary Australian.”As a further sign of our changing taste in cars, last year the Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan was the second-highest selling medium-size car behind the Toyota Camry and ahead of the Mazda6 and Subaru Liberty.Mercedes typically sells about 350 cars a week but dealer sources say this figure climbed to almost double that in the lead-up to the launch of the new model.“Half of the buyers of our new cars have never owned a Mercedes-Benz before,” McCarthy said. “That shows you they’re coming from all types of cars and all walks of life.”To ensure buyers aren’t scared off by high service costs, Mercedes has a fixed price servicing deal: $1400 covers all routine servicing for the first 50,000km. A Nissan Maxima V6 sedan costs almost $2000 to service over the same period.Tweets by @JoshuaDowling

Tenacious grip and prodigious acceleration from the four-cylinder A45 AMG convinced AMG to roll out all-wheel drive across its ever-expanding line-up. The downside is right-hand drive markets such as Australia will have to wait for all-new models, rather than mid-life updates like the E-Class, to feel the difference. AMG’s E-Class project leader Dr Gerald Thater says the go-fast division of Mercedes-Benz quickly determined there is no downside to AWD as the weight gain is more than offset by higher performance. “I’d take all-wheel drive in the E-Class because it still drives like a rear-wheel car, but the limits are greater,” he says. “It adds to the performance in the dry, especially on the racetrack. In other times, in rain or snow, it adds more safety by spreading the torque across the drivetrain.” The system uses a planetary gearset off the seven-speed wet-clutch transmission to drive. Unlike many AWD options, the AMG version fixes torque distribution at 33/67 front-to-rear. The A-Class based A45 and CLA45 will be the first all-paw AMGs in Australia when they arrive later this year. They will be followed in 2014 by a C63 model but Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman David McCarthy says rear-wheel and all-wheel drive versions will be sold. “There’s a market for both - traditional C63 buyers will still want rear drive,” McCarthy says. “That will also apply to the E-Class and CLS when the new models arrive... we plan to have both drivetrains across the range.”  

For the first time in decades, Mercedes-Benz is offering a fascinating high-performance vehicle in the compact class.The A45 AMG  due soon boasts a maximum output of 265kW (360 hp) and up to 450Nm of torque. The 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo engine is the most powerful series production four-cylinder engine in the world.It has a power density of 133kW/litre (181 hp) outstripping even the most powerful super sports cars. At the same time, the engine also boasts high efficiency and complies with the EU6 emissions standard. The A 45 AMG also leads its segment in terms of fuel consumption, running on 6.9 litres per 100 kilometres in combined mode.Mercedes says the performance-oriented AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive under the A 45 AMG sets new standards in the car's segment -- and accelerates from zero to 100 kmh in 4.6 seconds..The substance of the new Mercedes-Benz vehicle architecture, for front and all-wheel drive, provides the basis for the A45 AMG and at two other high-performance premium vehicles coming soon.