A-Class (W176) [Official] Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W176)

[Mr. Mercedes]

That he has nothing to do with Mercedes or cars hardly matters. Since when has a 'face' of any product had to be relevant to the product itself?

Anyhow, apart from Geneva, I doubt they'll have anything long term going with Usher. Rumour has it, Adele is going to be used to launch the S in May.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Since when has a 'face' of any product had to be relevant to the product itself?

I know, you're right. But it doesn't mean that just because everybody else is doing it, so should MB. People who would buy a car based on the fact Usher, or any other celebrity, has accepted a wad load of cash to be photographed next to it, shouldn't be let loose behind the wheel in the first place.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

LOL. True.

 

[SCOTT27]

It's a performance car therefore it should embody some aspect of performance without celebrity endorsement or as somebody mentioned at Geneva - Famewhore.
When I mention the term "Zoolander" I take it you have heard that story ? I found it hilarious at first but now I am not at all surprised.

 

[Giannis]

I really feel ashamed as a car fan, when brands use singers or any other type of artists and celebrities to promote cars. The way I see it, the car is a machine, not a fashion item. The fact that a brand chooses to see their product as a fashion item and not as a mashine, is a major turn down for me, as if they are not taking it seriously.

There are times like this, that I am happy to drive a Volvo. If it was to be associated with some kind of a singer, he/she would sing Opera

 

[SCOTT27]

A

I really feel ashamed as a car fan, when brands use singers or any other type of artists and celebrities to promote cars. The way I see it, the car is a machine, not a fashion item. The fact that a brand chooses to see their product as a fashion item and not as a mashine, is a major turn down for me, as if they are not taking it seriously.

There are times like this, that I am happy to drive a Volvo. If it was to be associated with some kind of a singer, he/she would sing Opera

I agree. I prefer engineers and designers to illustrate why you should buy this product , they know more about it personally , than be handed a script and a briefcase full of money to read over in a penthouse hotel suite. Product placement is fine because that does not extend the hard-sell to the customer.

 

[linkumpoot]

I really feel ashamed as a car fan, when brands use singers or any other type of artists and celebrities to promote cars. The way I see it, the car is a machine, not a fashion item. The fact that a brand chooses to see their product as a fashion item and not as a mashine, is a major turn down for me, as if they are not taking it seriously.

There are times like this, that I am happy to drive a Volvo. If it was to be associated with some kind of a singer, he/she would sing Opera

Haha Volvo hired Jeremy Lin. Audi has Justin timberlake, Lexus has kylie minogue etc etc. Every brand will have a celebrity, heck every model that is launched will have a celebrity haha.

 

[Deckhook]

Its almost as ridiculous as someone watching F1/LeMans/Rallying/Touring Car and thinking his road car is closely linked. Advertising comes in many forms but at the end of the day they are all done to sell more cars.

 

[Wolfgang]

couple pics from his facebook page

 

[Wolfgang]

Rastatt is working in 3 shifts around the clock at present, but more capacity is needed.


Mercedes' car plant in Rastatt, Germany, where the company builds the A- and B-class cars, has negotiated 21 extra weekend work shifts to raise production, Zetsche said. The company lacks capacity to meet demand for compacts and SUVs, he added.

Source: Automotive News Europe

 

[Wolfgang]

A Valmet update.


Valmet Automotive, the experienced service provider for automotive industry, is making Finnish industrial history with the series production of the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

Valmet Automotive has made the all-time largest industrial robot deal in Finland for the brand new Mercedes-Benz A-Class dedicated body shop. Production will commence in the middle of 2013.

Source: Valmet Automotive

 

[alebonau]

finally drove the a250,

I am very pleased. my worries was ride, but I have to say have no idea what some press are on about. because I found it just right. firm enough you do feel the road. and so you should on a hot hatch. but not harsh not hard. with comments read I was expecting it to be crashing and banging, my teeth chattering and a sore back after it. but nothing like that. Didnt find it that different in comfort to my mk6 golf gti. ride was well controlled and took it on a nice drive on a back road and felt great.

few things really noticed. you sit low in this car. vs the golf gti where sit higher. Got comfortable pretty easily and quickly in the merc. Its a more refined car than the golf. the gti is more gruff which some might like ?

definitely a difference in eco, sport and manual modes. eco for just cruising, sport for all the upshifts downshifts it does and manual if want more control.

I liked that there is an ECO button just to switch the start stop system on/off. excellent unlike the alfa guilietta which there is no way to switch off. works well too.

the self park is an absolute beauty. very impressed and wife is going to love that !

didnt find huge difference in rear view vs the golf. the rear window is tinted so a bit darker looking through but because both golf and merc have large rear head rests didnt find hugely different looking in the rear mirror of the merc. Perhaps something get more handle off in more extended use. but the rear camera of the merc is a pretty handy thing too I must say.

the electric park is a very smart thing. like how it self over rides.

one thing realy found myself missing is looking for the gear selector hehe and that have to use the stalk on the steering wheel instead. will definitely take some getting used to

iphone no probs works through bluetooth am told. also a connector in centre console for an ipod so can plug one in there for music permanently as I do now.

the large sunroof gives a nice airy feel. with powered shade blind if needed

one thing for sure driving this car is really feels technology wise to be a step forward from my golf gti even though that car only 3 years old. its a great driving environment overall where feel comfortable and secure. and yet I think fits the mould well of the golf gti of everyday daily drive that can add a bit of fun factor when needed

ps my car has just landed at the dealership as well. great to see in the flesh ! the red lip of the a250 am very pleased blends in well with the red duco. now the wait for my lease on the golf gti to finish !

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Finally Al!

BTW which GTI do you have? It's interesting to hear a first hand review from a current GTI owner. Having driven the car twice, I do think that the reviews of the A250's suspension may have been exaggerated or skewed by a certain preconception about how compliant a Mercedes suspension should be, or actually have been of A250's fitted with runflats (European reviews).

So when will your GTI lease be up and when will you be picking up your A? Did you happen to take any photos of your red A250? I've seen White, Black and South Sea Blue. I really want to see Cosmos Black and Mountain Grey.

 

[alebonau]

hi mr merc, I have current model mk6 golf gti. yeah I can put down some of the review comments either to the euro a250 that have run flats which I know I am not a fan off when experineced with bmws and the like. or as you say perhaps they are expecting a ride which sort of insulates from the road ? like perhaps one of the big MB limousines. cant see how you can do that and keep road feel ? Its not somethign you want from a hot hatch to be that disconnected from the road !

april fools day was day of pick up hehe but its a public holiday here so day after hopefully. the d@mn lease company is very frustrating to deal with I must say I really hope they dont muck something up that messes up pick up date or something ! I'll have to stay on their backs !

your right I have never seen a red a250 yet, colours so far seen are black and white. And I did think after leaving the dealership that perhaps should have taken a picture, but in hind sight car looked like just off the ship with stickers and all, so probably not in its best presentable state. will leave the pics for pick up day

 

[fortuner]

HI GUYS

I have been offered the following fro delivery mid March

A220 CDI RED /black ARTICO
235 active park assist (what is this )
345 rain sensor
413 pano roof
543 ill sun visors
810 hk sound
u25 ill door sills
u62 light and sight not sure what this is

this is R 387000,00 rands

I am tempted as its not loaded so I wont loose when I sell though I see it has no packages and it don't have LED
I am not sure how it will looks with out the led and the normal standard pack inside and out

anyone can help with pictures to help me decide I have to answer by Tuesday.I was thinking of a A250 but this will be my daily car a A220 cdi will be perfect.

 

[Kdcorp]

A few shots from GVA yesterday...after which i went to the MB Lounge to get wasted for 8 hours with the guy who sold me mine...

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

HI GUYS

I have been offered the following fro delivery mid March

A220 CDI RED /black ARTICO
235 active park assist (what is this )
345 rain sensor
413 pano roof
543 ill sun visors
810 hk sound
u25 ill door sills
u62 light and sight not sure what this is

this is R 387000,00 rands

I am tempted as its not loaded so I wont loose when I sell though I see it has no packages and it don't have LED
I am not sure how it will looks with out the led and the normal standard pack inside and out

anyone can help with pictures to help me decide I have to answer by Tuesday.I was thinking of a A250 but this will be my daily car a A220 cdi will be perfect.

I would suggest you get a vehicle with Bi-Xenons at the least. The visual difference is huge. Here's a picture Monster took of the base headlight unit.

Active Park Assist is the automatic parallel (reverse) parking system. All you have to do is press the accelerator and the brake. The steering wheel moves by itself.

Light and Sight Package consists of ambient night lighting within the interior, automatic headlights and rain sensing wipers.

 

[fortuner]

Thanks I'll have to find out if it has bi xenon..Doubt it.
Problem is this I can get Mid April next car I can get is September which is far..

They have a white but that has a lot of extras and its like 60 thousand more which is like 7500 US dollars.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

May be worth phoning a few dealerships around the country. There has to be something somewhere.

It really depends though on how important you feel the bi-xenons are to the looks of the vehicle. If you don't mind the standard unit, then don't worry about it. To me personally the bi-xenons are a must have.

 

[alebonau]

guys a question I know the mercs are iphone 4/4S capable and 5 is a no huge question mark as to when. but wonder if they work with 5th gen ipod touch ? I know different connector but do they still work ?
am just thinking whether to update the ipod touch I leave permanently in my current car for music, its getting a bit long in tooth its a 4th gen touch and thinking maybe time to upgrade, but wont if not compatible.