Pricing announced for the new-generation A and B-Class

Melbourne – Mercedes-Benz Australia have announced pricing and specifications for their new-generation A- and B-Class. From Spring 2008, the completely upgraded A- and B-Class will arrive in Mercedes-Benz showrooms nationwide with a host of new features, including Active Parking Assist and the new NTG 2.5 Telematics platform.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class: An even more pronounced styling emphasis.

The completely upgraded A-Class five-door Saloon and the three-door Coupé now appear more youthful and self-confident than before. The sweeping lines of the newly designed headlamps harmoniously combine the front end and flanks, which literally appear to be cast from a single mould. The redesigned front bumper reinforces this impression; its lower air intake is now much larger, emphasising the width of the body. The radiator grille is also in a new design which underlines the progressive aura of the A-Class.

Mercedes-Benz B-Class: Sports Tourer in better shape than ever.

The restyled front end injects the B-Class with more poise and assurance than before. This is primarily thanks to the radiator grille with its three chromed cross fins painted in metallic grey and the Mercedes-Benz star integrated into its centre. However, the more imposing appearance of the B-Class also stems from the new look bumper-whose design emphasises the large air intake at the bottom, as well as the modified bonnet. This new design idiom makes the front look broad and, as a consequence, especially powerful, symbolising the sporty attributes of the B-Class even more clearly than before. The design at the sides seems more harmonious and elegant than before, because the exterior mirror housings, door handles and skirt panels are now painted to match the body colour on all model variants.

The rear styling picks up on the dynamic flow of lines at the front and along the sides. A direct visual link is created by the tail light assemblies, whose upper edges merge seamlessly with the character line along the vehicle's sides. The tail lights sport a new high-brilliance look and draw the gaze to the large tailgate, which now comes with an ergonomically enhanced chrome handle strip.

Active Parking Assist: ultrasound and electric steering for easier parking

In both the new-generation A- and B-Class, the Metro package now includes Mercedes-Benz Active Parking Assist. Through the use of enhanced side-mounted ultrasonic sensors, the system identifies suitable parallel parking spaces on both sides of the road in passing. A “P” on the instrument cluster indicates that the search is in progress, which is active up to 35km/h and measures the length and depth of possible parking spaces between two cars.

When the system identifies a suitable park, an arrow appears on the display to inform the drivers which side of the road the parking space is located. If the driver engages reverse, they are asked to accept Active Parking Assist on the display. Once activated, the system automatically takes over the steering and manoeuvres the car into the parking space, leaving the driver to simply operate the brake and accelerator accordingly.

A 180 CDI: the new entry point to Mercedes-Benz diesel technology

Mercedes-Benz Australia have unveiled a new entry point to their class-leading diesel technology with the introduction of the A 180 CDI Saloon. Priced from only $39,900*, A-Class customers are now given the opportunity to experience the refinement and sophistication of Mercedes-Benz diesel engines. With constantly rising fuel prices, the A 180 CDI is set to become an instant success with a fuel consumption of just 5.2L / 100km combined cycle (Fuel consumption according to ADR 81/01).