MY23 Mercedes-Benz A-Class to bring mild-hybrid tech

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class range has been tweaked for the 2023 model year and the updated small luxury cars are due in local showrooms in the second quarter of next year.

The MY23 A-Class update is a minor one in terms of cosmetics and extends only to a refreshed grille, headlights, tail-lights, rear diffuser and wheels, but it’s reasonably significant in terms of powertrains, with every petrol version besides the rabid A 45 S hot hatch scoring a new 48-volt mild-hybrid system.

As with other MHEV Mercedes-Benz products, the system allows quieter and smoother start-up, lets the new model ‘sail’ along during steady cruising and can intermittently contribute an extra 10kW during hard acceleration, although the temporary power boost isn’t counted towards the powertrains’ official outputs.

The smallest Mercedes-Benz model’s global internal combustion (petrol and diesel) powertrain/variant line-up will continue to comprise the A 180, A 180d, A 200, A 200d, A 220 4MATIC, A 220d, A 250 4MATIC, AMG A 35 4MATIC and AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+.

Improvements have been made to the plug-in hybrid powertrain’s battery system in a bid to extend the all-electric driving range, but an exact improvement is yet to be floated.

Engineers have also extracted another 5kW out the electric motor (80kW/300Nm), however, the increase has made no difference to the A 250e’s 160kW/450Nm combined system outputs.

carsales understands Australia’s MY23 A-Class variant line-up will remain resolutely similar to the current one, comprising five hatches (A 180, A 250, A 250e, AMG A 35, AMG A 45 S) and three sedans (A 180, A 250, AMG A35), so just the one plug-in hybrid but no diesel.

The global portfolio will temporarily be crowned by the edgy looking ‘AMG Street Style Edition’, which is essentially an A 45 S decked out with bespoke alloy wheels, the usually optional Aerodynamics Package and a bespoke livery paired exclusively to the ‘mountain grey magno’ body finish.

This exclusive look is continued within the cabin by orange contrast stitching, orange head restraint labels and bespoke aluminium trim bits featuring the same patterning as the exterior foiling.

Mercedes says the new A-Class’ local pricing and specification details will be announced closer to the model’s launch next year, but aspiring customers should look forward to some more creature comforts across the lower grades and options packs will be streamlined to ‘save time’ during the configuration process.

Highlights across the range include a revised multifunction Nappa leather steering wheel, embossed ARTICO seat upholstery, digital instrument cluster, tweaked centre console layout, reversing camera and extra USB ports.

Naturally, the new model also comes with the latest MBUX infotainment system, accessed via the 7.0 or 10.25-inch infotainment interfaces or the expanded MBUX voice assistant.

“With perfectly balanced overall proportions, a loving and high-quality attention to detail in its design, the latest generation of MBUX and a model range that is rigorously geared to customer wishes, the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class brings something special to the compact segment and offers customers class for every day,” said Mercedes-Benz.

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