Mercedes-Benz A-Class Features

The German luxury car major, Mercedes-Benz is all set to launch the much anticipated premium hatchback, the A-Class in India on May 30th. And the car deserves the much attention it has been getting from all over, as it is likely to be the most affordable Merc ever, to be positioned below the all new B-Class. The A-Class is the second vehicle to have been built on the company's newly developed front-wheel drive MFA platform. The B-Class is the other vehicle based on the similar platform.

Having a plenty of exciting features, the A-Class proves it to be a great value for money product. So, we list down the features the premium hatchback has to offer to its buyers.

Safer driving: Attention Assist

Like all Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, the new A-Class is built according to an integrated safety concept. It ensures the many passive and active protection systems work together to enhance safety in every situation – helping to bring our vision of accident-free driving another step closer. Particularly beneficial on long journeys, Attention Assist is a system for detecting fatigue. Between speeds of approximately 50 and 110 mph, it assesses the driver's behaviour via an array of sensors, compares it to the behaviour patterns already stored for that driver and thus registers unexpected changes that may indicate an increase in tiredness or inattentiveness.

Protecting occupants and pedestrians: Active Bonnet

If a pedestrian or cyclist hits the front of the A-Class, the rear of its bonnet is lifted by 8.5 centimetres, helping to reduce the risk of injury. Active Bonnet deploys automatically at speeds of between approx. 15 and 35 mph.

Protecting occupants and pedestrians: Airbags

In conjunction with the robust body shell and high-strength passenger compartment, the seven standard airbags ensure occupants enjoy optimum crash protection. In addition to dual-stage front airbags, there are window bags that stretch from the A- to the C-pillars, front seat side bags that also offer protection for the thorax and pelvis areas and a driver's knee bag that helps to further reduce the risk of injury in the event of an impact.

Memory Package

The Memory Package adds full electrical adjustment to both front seats. It also allows three sets of positions for the driver's seat, steering column and exterior mirrors to be saved and recalled at any time.

7G-DCT 7-speed automatic transmission

The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission is an ideal blend of comfort, performance and efficiency. It consists of two independent gearbox units for the odd and even gears respectively, each with its own separate clutch. Under acceleration or deceleration, the currently inactive unit is able to preselect the next ratio ready for the anticipated up- or downshift. This makes for smoother, more immediate sequential shifts with no loss of power. With a choice of ‘Economy', ‘Sport' and ‘Manual' modes, engaged via a button on the centre console, 7G-DCT also allows you to choose between the comfort and convenience of automatic shifts or the greater involvement of manual gear changes. ‘Economy' and ‘Sport' modes offer different shift characteristics and speeds, with upshifts coming at higher revs in ‘Sport' mode than in ‘Economy' and downshifts performed earlier. In ‘Manual' mode, you determine the shift points yourself via gear shift paddles on the steering wheel. 7G DCT also features an ergonomic Direct Select gear shift lever and cruise control with Speedtronic variable speed limiter.