2005 Mercedes Benz A-Class Next Week
Seven years ago, Mercedes Benz showcased it’s first front-wheel drive car that was set to redesign how passenger cars were going to be designed. At least in Mercedes Benz’s eyes. The compact hatchback had an innovative safety feature where the engine moves under the passanger compartment in the event of a frontal collision.
The 2005 Mercedes Benz A-Class
It was the poor man’s Mercedes Benz, but we did not see many on Malaysia’s streets because it was ridiculous to spend more than RM150,000 on such a small car. However, we’re getting there with the Honda Jazz which costs about RM100,000, but that’s another matter altogether. Worldwide sales for the past 7 years have amounted to a total of 1.1 million units.
DaimlerChrysler Malaysia Sdn Bhd is set to launch the second generation Mercedes Benz A-class next week here in Malaysia. It’s expected to be priced at less than RM200,000.
Nice sporty interior.
This second generation A-class is an improvement over it’s predecessor in terms of wheelbase, interior dimensions and boot capacity.
The drivetrain will be a Mercedes Benz’s Autronic, which is what Mercedes Benz calls it’s first ever CVT transmission. This means driving the new A-class will be significantly more comfortable than the previous incarnation.
The 3-door version of the 2005 A-Class
The A170 Avant Garde trim will be fully imported, and will be powered by a 1.7 liter 4 cylinder petrol engine making 166 horsepower. There are 3-door and 5-door versions of the compact hatch but DaimlerChrysler Malaysia Sdn Bhd will only be bringing in the 5-door version a the moment. The top of the line A-Class comes with a 2.0 turbocharged engine making 193hp. That would be a fun drive.
Safety is top notch, with the car grabbing a 5 out of 5 star rating in European NCAP standard crash tests for occupatn protection, winning it the best in it’s class award for the Small Family Cars class. The car obtained 4 stars for child protection and 2 stars for pedestrian protection.
DaimlerChrysler Malaysia Sdn Bhd’s vice president of sales and marketing Konstantinos Tskinas said the company is set to launch a new model every month from now till the end of the year to maintain it’s position as the leader of the premium luxury segment of the Malaysian automotive sector. Among models to be launched are the smart forfour, the new CLS, CLK, CLK cabriolet, M-Class, B-Class and S-Class.
The new A-Class will be launched with a campaigned themed “Follow your own star”. They have a microsite up with a preview of the new car. You can check it out here.
July 12, 2005 @ 2:14 am
what a beauty with a beautiful price too
July 12, 2005 @ 2:20 am
Wow, I want, I want! Much sexier than the BMW I dreamt of.
July 12, 2005 @ 4:36 am
never compare bmw with merc…it just 2 very diff kinda cars..1 ist for old fat rich man…und another ist for bad nasty rich boy!
July 12, 2005 @ 10:12 am
well….
buy a A Class at >RM150K….. cannot afford !
then buy a Honda Jazz at >RM100K…… still cannot afford !
this one sure can afford…. buy a Perodua MyVi at below RM50,000
July 12, 2005 @ 10:14 am
wah…
hanyi 2.14am
lilian 2.20am
deutsche volk 4.36am
u guy do not sleep ka
July 12, 2005 @ 4:04 pm
deutsche volk, i like what you have said man, to think about it, its pretty true, we shall never compare merc and beamers…hah
July 12, 2005 @ 5:09 pm
edw-im from DE
July 12, 2005 @ 5:50 pm
deutsche volk…. cool man.
July 12, 2005 @ 11:08 pm
hmm deutsche volk stand for German Folk right, used to watch DE tv while studying abroad…
July 13, 2005 @ 10:39 am
yap..ur right thou..
September 26, 2005 @ 5:23 pm
my dream car… and i still dreaming until now…
i named it mercedes baby
isn’t she cute…
August 14, 2006 @ 2:41 am
[...] The B-Class (as well as the new A-Class) is part of Mercedes-Benz plan to re-energize the marque to be more inviting to a new generation of owners-to-be, which has migrated to its arch rival of late. This is after all a new concept using the famed sandwich platform of the A-Class, in extended wheelbase dimension. Mercedes dubs this a Compact Sports Tourer – combining spaciousness, sportiness, versatility as well as dynamism. Despite mixing various different vehicle concepts into a hatchback form, it is still unmistakably Mercedes, with a somewhat chunky but sporty contour, extending from the wedge shape bonnet sweeping up the roof pillar to the muscular rear. Obligatory of any new generation Benz (e.g. A, SLK, CLS, S-Class), up-sweeping flank lines are distinct bilaterally, further emphasizing the B200T wide stance. [...]