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Mercedes unveils the facelifted A-Class
By Yoann Besnard on 28 March 2008 | 
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Mercedes has unveiled the first pictures of the facelifted A-Class due to be launched at next week’s Leipzig motor show.
The facelift is very subtle. The A-Class features new front and rear bumpers, redesigned headlights, a new grille and new tail lamps. On the inside,there are a range of newupholstery fabrics and door trim. What’s interesting about the revamped A-Class is what you can’t see: environment and safety.
The German carmaker claims the revamped A-Class is more environmentally friendly thanks to a new start/stop function featured on a new BlueEfficiency package only available on the A 150, A170 and A 160 CDI. The system automatically switches the engine off when the driver shifts to neutral at low speed whilst depressing the brake pedal. A special display in the instrument cluster informs the driver if the conditions for switching off the engine are met The moment the clutch is pressed or the brake pedal released, the engine springs back to life almost noiselessly and in a fraction of a second.
Mercedes has also enhanced safety in the A-Class by featuring adaptive brake lights. During emergency braking when travelling at more than 50 km/h, the brake lights flash at high frequency to warn drivers behind who can consequently react faster and are in a better position to prevent an accident. The revamped A-Class also sets new standards in this market segment in the area of occupant protection with two-stage front airbags, belt tensioners for the front and outer rear seats, belt force limiters, active front head restraints and head/thorax sidebags. Mercedes has added a crash-responsive emergency lighting in the interior, which comes on automatically after an accident of a defined severity to provide occupants with better orientation and make the task of the emergency services easier.
The optional equipment becomes more luxurious with reverse parking detectors and new navigation systems offering Bluetooth, colour display and Europe-wide navigation.
The facelifted A-Class will go on sale in the UK from June.
