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

[Mr. Mercedes]

Fantastic Al. Glad you got to see it so soon. I guess driving it was out of the question?

Did you manage to try the 'command online' functions?

How did the white A-class look on the freeway? The white doesn't hide the lines too much does it? I'm getting very tempted to change the colour.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Also any interior shots?

 

[fortuner]

Well I got to check out the new A class today and boy what a gorgeous thing it is. Inside and out I am super impressed. Particularly outside I really am suprised, I dont think photos have seen of it so far really do it justice. this one was an A200 CDI with AMG pack and it looked a treat. I really do like the styling externally very much and sitting inside fit and finish is to a very good standard.

Those rear exhausts are actually quite big and the 18" wheels dont look too big on the car. This one was fitted with the MOE contisport run flats. the A250 sport ofcourse comes with the standard non run flats and with the can of goo which I confirmed.

The panaromic sun roof is a beauty and makes the cabin internal feel quite light and airy wihtout it given the low slung feel to the car can imagine some might feel the roof running quite low. Sitting in the back seats theres plenty of room and again fit and finish back there is faultless.

the rear view is definitely limited but not terrible and good to see the rear view camera in action on reversing. smart phone integration seems seamless picking up the vodaphone 3G network. Scrolling though the options on the main screen seemed like a pretty simple task including pulling up the DAB+ digital radio thats included as part of the command pack.

The boot is perhaps a tad smaller than in cars this type, but I'd say adequate for most uses, and with the bonus can lay the back seats flat if need the extra room.

Overall a fantastic car, I love the nice touches around the place, really pleased finally got to see this car in red and can see this being quite a success for Mercedes.

I grabbed a few shots and I'll say again photos dont do it justice.

ps later in the day heading home I actually saw a similar white A class on the freeway....spotted it from a distance. It really is quite distinctive. So there you go must be atleast a couple of A classes running around the traps here

still cant wait to drive an A250 see what its like on the road.

Awesome mate did you manage to get a ride I am thinking of a diesel A 220 CDI

 

[alebonau]

hi kd, yeah not everyones a fan of sun roofs, my previous car had a full glass roof and absolutely loved it. current car has a sun roof and so couldnt get a car without one now really pleased how big it is too as feels like glass roof in my previous car.

mr merc, I didnt ask to drive I distinctly got the impression this was for looks only but not for driving, so am still waiting for a drive in an a250. didnt try the command online functions sorry. the A class on the freeway looked excellent. as a car it rides quite low and flat. White I think a colour works with it very well. the contrasting black grills, mirrors, glass sunroof etc works well. Mercs have always looked great in white though. the red & black contrasts probably look great on a a250.

re black rims have never been a huge fan of those on a car but must admit they do look good on the red & white cars with the other black features. I'll stick to the stock wheels though I think

ps I did ask re the tinting on the windows and apparetely standard with the amg pack, which am also impressed with. really gave the car "the look". theres also the merc signs that light up as you open the doors. And got to see the stalk on the right of the steering wheel that allows you to change into gear, then use the paddles and eco, sport etc modes. the electric park brake is a nice thing on the right of the dash to engage. I've never owned a merc before and see all these things as nice additions to a car.

no interior shots sorry mr merc. Having seen so many internal shots of the A class amg pack interiors on the net I didnt bother. But yeah it really looked very swish and a nice space to be in behind the wheel

 

[alebonau]

Awesome mate did you manage to get a ride I am thinking of a diesel A 220 CDI

thanks, unfortunately this was really just to check out inside and out, have a sit in it etc. I didnt ask to drive, I figured dealer would have offered if was an option. these are just first released to merc head office guys I get the impression. Probably what will go out to journalists to test drive locally and hopefully in time they will have some demo cars for people to drive

A220 CDI not something we're getting but imagine that being a very good option to the a250.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Have you ordered your car Al?

Still no sign of the car here in Brisbane.

I wonder where Wolf is hiding these days. If you're around mate, can you please confirm if the Command Online is now iPhone compatible as of January, as previously reported.

 

[alebonau]

hey mr merc, mine is like yours conditional. red a250 with command pack what am after.

yeah wonder where the a250s are ? apparently atleast one in the country but still hanging out to drive one

 

[Wolfgang]

can you please confirm if the Command Online is now iPhone compatible as of January, as previously reported.

Here you go, Mr. Mercedes.

Option A: Connect iPhone® via the Drive Kit Plus with cable:

With the drive kit plus for the iPhone® your iPhone® 4/4S
is extensively integrated into the A-Class. The matching
Digital DriveStyle App is available free of charge in the
iTunes® App Store. This means that with the Audio 20 CD
and COMAND Online you have access to the fundamental
contents of your iPhone®, which are shown in the vehicle
display and can be easily and safely operated via the
Controller on the centre armrest.

With the integration of the iPhone® into the vehicle and the
revolutionary user interface design you can seamlessly
continue your digital lifestyle in the vehicle. This means that,
amongst other things, you have access to the progressive
navigation solution from Garmin® with internet-based realtime
traffic information, an online POI search and 3D map
display. A further highlight is the personalised internet radio
from AUPEO! Personal Radio, a customised music program.
Following access via genre or artist, tracks matching your
personal taste are played. A social/interactive experience
is also possible with sharing, posting via Facebook®, Twitter®
and Glympse™ and the integration of music plus other
contents from the social networks including a text-to-speech
function. In addition, an intuitive Car Finder automatically
stores the location of the vehicle. Thanks to pedestrian
navigation this enables the vehicle to be found again easily.

http://www2.mercedes-benz.com.au/co...els/a-class/w176/facts_/catalogue_prices.html
http://drive-kit-plus.com/en/#s/start


Option B: Connect iPhone® via Bluetooth

COMAND Online will support the Bluetooth PAN profile starting with model year 2014. Model year 2013 COMAND Online can probably NOT be upgraded to support PAN. MY2013 COMAND Online can still use Option A listed above, instead.

 

[Gianclaudio]

Where have you been Wolf?

 

[Wolfgang]

Why, did I miss anything, Gian? More iPhone news:

Las Vegas, U.S.A., January 10, 2013
Consumer Electronics Show
Viva Las Vegas – Mercedes supports Siri integration for iPhone 4S

• Mercedes-Benz will support Siri, Apple’s intelligent assistant that allows drivers to get things done just by asking, into its vehicles spring 2013 for drivers using iPhone 4S
• Up-to-date Digital DriveStyle App hardware and software will be available beginning Spring 2013

While the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has opened its doors to trade visitors from all over the globe, Mercedes-Benz is showing a premiere of a special kind: the integration of Siri, Apple’s intelligent assistant that allows drivers to get things done just by asking, into the new E-Class for its drivers using iPhone 4S.
http://www.daimler.com/dccom/0-5-658451-1-1564631-1-0-0-0-0-0-16694-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.html

 

[Gianclaudio]

Why, did I miss anything, Gian?

Actually the inverse, I was missing the up to date info you always provide

 

[Wolfgang]

More SIRI/iPhone info

http://

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Here you go, Mr. Mercedes.

Option A: Connect iPhone® via the Drive Kit Plus with cable:

With the drive kit plus for the iPhone® your iPhone® 4/4S
is extensively integrated into the A-Class. The matching
Digital DriveStyle App is available free of charge in the
iTunes® App Store. This means that with the Audio 20 CD
and COMAND Online you have access to the fundamental
contents of your iPhone®, which are shown in the vehicle
display and can be easily and safely operated via the
Controller on the centre armrest.

With the integration of the iPhone® into the vehicle and the
revolutionary user interface design you can seamlessly
continue your digital lifestyle in the vehicle. This means that,
amongst other things, you have access to the progressive
navigation solution from Garmin® with internet-based realtime
traffic information, an online POI search and 3D map
display. A further highlight is the personalised internet radio
from AUPEO! Personal Radio, a customised music program.
Following access via genre or artist, tracks matching your
personal taste are played. A social/interactive experience
is also possible with sharing, posting via Facebook®, Twitter®
and Glympse™ and the integration of music plus other
contents from the social networks including a text-to-speech
function. In addition, an intuitive Car Finder automatically
stores the location of the vehicle. Thanks to pedestrian
navigation this enables the vehicle to be found again easily.

http://www2.mercedes-benz.com.au/co...els/a-class/w176/facts_/catalogue_prices.html
http://drive-kit-plus.com/en/#s/start


Option B: Connect iPhone® via Bluetooth

COMAND Online will support the Bluetooth PAN profile starting with model year 2014. Model year 2013 COMAND Online can probably NOT be upgraded to support PAN. MY2013 COMAND Online can still use Option A listed above, instead.

Wolf you have been in hiding! You're seriously unbelievable with information! Thank you very much.

MB Australia has confirmed that Drive Kit Plus will NOT be available in Australia for the time being. Given that it now seems older Command Online systems can not likely be upgraded to support PAN (just as I expected!), the only option for Australians is to ensure that their car comes with the updated Command Online. In this regard, are you able to confirm when MY2014 production started? All I know for the time being is my car is a January build, but I'm not sure of the exact date.

 

[Wolfgang]

The CLA is expected to start with a compatible COMAND Online Bluetooth profile from the start of production, and dealer introduction is presently scheduled for mid April 2013. Those will likely be the very first units, with the A-Class to follow shortly thereafter. Usually the production switchover to a new model year happens in June.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Crap! So January onward built A's wont be compatible as previously reported? This is really unfortunate. I very much doubt I will go ahead with my March delivered A then. And if that's the case a whole host of other vehicles come into the equation. Very disappointing.

 

[Wolfgang]

^ Agreed. Early ones would require the Drive Kit Plus. It may be the better solution anyways, since it charges the phone as well.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

It probably will be the better solution, but MB Australia has told me in writing that for the time being drive kit plus will not be available here due to some legal issues.

 

[Wolfgang]

An update: http://mbworld.org/forums/new-m-class-w166/477331-australia-internet-connection.html

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

If the information you supplied this morning is correct, that iPhone compatibility for command online will only be available for the 2014 model year, then that post at MBworld is incorrect and based on the old information which indicated the update would occur in January 2013.

I simply don't understand why it is so difficult to get a straightforward answer from Mercedes Australia and Mercedes Germany for what is an issue that I'm sure thousands of people want to know about.

 

[Wolfgang]

You might want to call benzmodz. He prob can explain it better than MB Australia.