We moved to Sibenik in Croatia to test the new Mercedes compact, the A-Class. Without losing the design language of its predecessor and even though it seems at first glance that it had not undergone many changes, I assure you that the pioneering contribution in technology of the In addition to the profound aesthetic modifications, the new A-Class is a true caprice adapted to the luxury that the new generations demand, a car that is avant-garde in technology and design.
And technology is of no use to us if it is not useful to us. As we will see later, this car does not only offer you technology. It also has artificial intelligence capable of enriching itself with our day-to-day habits. As our virtual assistant “Mercedes” receives and recording experience and content, our routine will be less routine.
The new A-Class is also the first Mercedes-Benz vehicle to have been developed at the new Technology Center for Driving Safety (TFS). The knowledge acquired in the investigation of real accidents has been taken into account for the configuration of the vehicle structure. Thus, each element of the raw body has been specifically developed in terms of its geometry, material thickness, assembly technique and material quality (higher proportion of high and maximum resistance steels).
The core of the body’s safety configuration is the highly resistant cabin. Above all, the increasing use of high and maximum strength steels, as well as pressure-formed steel plates, contributes to its high stability in situations of maximum stress, such as in a frontal, lateral and rear collision, and in the event of a rollover. .
Both the driver and the passenger have three-point seat belts with tension limitation and pretensioner.
In combination with the PRE-SAFE® system (optional equipment) the front seats are equipped with reversible pretensioners . The rear end seats have a three-point seatbelt, with belt pretensioner and tension limitation.
The new A-Class is equipped as standard with an airbag for the driver and front passenger, a knee airbag for the driver and windowbags. Unlike many competitor’s models, the windowbag covers the entire area, including the A-pillar, thus offering better occupant protection. Pelvic and chest airbags are also fitted as standard at the front, and as an option at the rear.
Mercedes-Benz User Experience, the future present
The new generation of the MBUX infotainment system also starts a series of new and improved Mercedes me connect services. These include the navigation functions based on Car-to-X-Communication (information transmitted from one vehicle to another about circumstances recorded by the sensors, such as an emergency braking or the intervention of ESP®, or manual system communications transmitted by the driver, e.g. in the event of an accident), the location of the vehicle (which makes it easier to find the parked car again) and an alert in the event that the vehicle has been hit or towed while parked (predictably available at as of June 2018).
The Mercedes me App collection can be represented with an icon on the screen, for easy access to services. Like the other main applications, it can be freely arranged on the main screen. Additionally, Internet content such as current fuel prices at gas stations or the availability of free parking spaces can be optionally displayed on MBUX. The online update makes it easy to make new content available on MBUX.
The new A-Class is now ready for private car sharing. Through Mercedes it is possible for me to share the new compact model with friends and relatives (predictably available from August 2018). Operation via the Mercedes-Benz Mercedes me App Car Sharing is simple and safe.
The new Mercedes me connect On-Street Prediction , Real-Time Information and Off-Street Information services help Mercedes-Benz drivers save valuable time. At the same time, they alleviate the stress of finding parking and help reduce fuel consumption and emissions. The real-time information is based in part on data from other Mercedes-Benz vehicles that have just vacated a space, or have passed a free parking space.
