By Kap Maceda Aguila

FIRST revealed globally at this year’s edition of the Geneva Motor Show, the fourth-generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class has now made its way into the Philippines. Auto Nation Group, official distributor of Mercedes-Benz in the country, last week unveiled the newest addition to its pantheon of vehicles while effectively serving as the entry point into its portfolio.
The subcompact executive hatch starts off strong visually, boasting the so-called “predator face,” also seen in the new CLS and is to be expected in only the brand’s “most progressive cars,” according to Mercedes-Benz chief design officer Gorden Wagener in a CarAdvice interview.
The all-new A-Class is the first model to wield the company’s new, completely revamped infotainment system MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) which is said to “[usher] in a new era in automotive connectivity.”
“Twenty years after it was first introduced in 1997, this vehicle is now smarter and sportier for the new generation. It is the synergy of modern luxury and technological breakthrough, and I believe you will agree with me the moment you see it for yourself,” said Francis Jonathan C. Ang, chief operating officer of the Auto Nation Group, in a speech during the launch at a Pasay City entertainment complex.
The MBUX features a learning ability, thanks to artificial intelligence, which allows it to be customized while adapting to suit the user. At the heart of the system are a 10.25-inch touch screen, center console touch pad, and touch-control buttons in the steering wheel — all highlighting what Mercedes-Benz calls its “touch operation concept.”
Meanwhile, a virtual assistant can be activated by pressing a button or by saying “Hey, Mercedes.” It opens the system to a host of commands to execute infotainment functions like destination input, music selection, climate control and ambient lighting. The MBUX comes with a speech recognition ability that helps it “recognize and understand nearly all sentences from the fields of multimedia and vehicle operation.”
Positioned as young and dynamic, the A-Class design idea is fancied as a “combination of uncompromisingly dynamic design and an intuitive operating concept,” seeking “sensual purity.” The aforementioned “predator face” is complemented by a low bonnet, flat LED headlamps with chrome accents, and “torch-like” daytime driving lamps.
The interior has been redesigned for spaciousness and an avant-garde feel. Along with the MBUX elements is an all-digital instrument panel display with three modes: Classic, Understated and Sport. The turbine-inspired air vents and leather multifunction sports steering wheel completes the look. Also of significant note is the large, freestanding widescreen, which dispenses with cockpit cowls above the instrument display.
Other highlights of the A-Class include standard Mercedes-Benz safety and assistive features such as Active Brake Assist, Active Parking Assist with Parktronic and rearview camera, along with seven airbags. It also has an anti-theft alarm package and Tirefit with tire inflator in case of road emergencies. Doing away with a spare wheel (and spare wheel well) saves on space and weight. The Tirefit system is composed of a tire sealant and electric pump, in addition to a tire pressure-loss warning indicator which lights up in the instrument cluster in the event of significant pressure loss.
Powering the A200 Edition 1 and A200 Progressive variants is a new powerful, fuel-efficient 1.3-liter engine delivering 163hp and 250Nm, mated to a seven-speed DCT. The A180 Progressive has a 1.3-liter engine and a seven-speed DCT system as well, this time delivering 136hp and 200Nm.
All Mercedes-Benz dealerships nationwide (EDSA Greenhills, Alabang, Bonifacio Global City, and Cebu) are now accepting pre-orders and reservations. Pricing is as follows: A200 Edition 1 (P3.29 million), A200 Progressive (P2.99 million), and A180 Progressive (P2.49 million).