Upgraded Mercedes A and B-Class in showrooms

Mercedes-Benz has announced a 2009 upgrade for both its A-Class and B-Class model ranges. As we reported earlier, the cosmetic tweaks for the two cars are subtle, but there's more news under the skin. Unfortunately, that news doesn't extend to the Eco-stop/start facility mentioned in the original report -- for the moment.

However, the A-Class range is now joined by a diesel variant, the A 180 CDI, and such features as Parking Assist and adaptive brake lights are available across the range. The Parking Assist function is standard for the B 200 Turbo and optional for the other B-Class variants and all A-Class models. Adaptive brake lights are standard for all A and B-Class vehicles. Basically, the system flashes the brake lights continuously, under heavy braking.

Parking Assist employs ultrasonics to gauge the size of a parking spot. Provided the spot is at least 1.3 metres longer than the length of the Mercedes, the facility will back the vehicle into the spot. Unlike the Lexus system, the Mercedes driver is still responsible for the feathering of brake and accelerator during the parking manoeuvre. For the system to initiate the manoeuvre, the vehicle must be travelling at a speed no higher than 18km/h in a forward direction and the driver must signal to the vehicle that Parking Assist is to take over by pressing an up-arrow button on the left steering wheel spoke first. After that, the driver selects reverse gear and -- as the driver feathers the brake pedal -- the car turns the wheels and steers for the driver.

The adaptive brake lights and Parking Assist are the two prominent features new to A and B-Class models, but the changes don't end there.

Beginning with the exterior, the A-Class features a new headlight design, restyled tail lights and revised radiator grille and bumpers. Mirrors and wheels are also new, with C-Class-style larger mirrors finished in the body colour.

Inside, new fabrics have been adopted and Avantgarde variants gain new decorative trim. This -- and different radiator grilles -- serves to distinguish the Avantgarde trim level from the Elegance grade. Mercedes-Benz has upgraded information and entertainment systems with additional functions and also offers the options of a Logic7 surround-sound system and an interactive media interface for the coupling of external music sources for the audio system. The Comand APS facility, also an option, features a hard-disk drive, navigation with map display and Linguatronic voice control.

New to the model range, the A 180 CDI five-door is powered by a turbodiesel four-cylinder engine developing 80kW of power and 250Nm of torque. The engine drives to the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission and the diesel 'A' can reach 100km/h from a standing start in 10.8 seconds. Fuel consumption is 5.2L/100km, according to Benz.

Prices start from $35,500 for the A 170 three-door with five-speed manual, moving up to $37,900 for the same vehicle as a five-door. Only available in the five-door body, the A 180 CDI is priced at $39,900. The naturally-aspirated A 200 is $45,900 for the three-door with the standard CVT or $47,900 for the five-door model. For $49,500, buyers can opt for the A 200 Turbo three-door with CVT.

As for the A-Class, the larger B-Class has been mildly facelifted for the new model year. Visual changes include redesigned bonnet, grille and bumpers, plus the C-Class-style exterior mirrors, body-colour door handles and new alloy wheel designs.

Interior trim fabrics are new and the decorative trim is a 'diagonally-brushed aluminium'.

Standard equipment added to the B-Class specification includes: Headlamp Assist, stability control (ESP) with hill-start assist, interactive system for external music sources (USB/iPod/MP3) and manual reach adjustment for the steering column.

Optional features that are new to the B-Class range are similar in scope to those of the A-Class: Surround-sound and Comand APS.

Pricing for the B-Class is $46,200 for the B 180 CDI and B 200 or $52,800 for the B 200 Turbo.

Mercedes-Benz has launched the facelifted M-Class in Australia also and reviews of that vehicle and the A and B-Class models will be published shortly.