Mercedes on Friday announced it will launch its next-generation A-Class compact car at the Auto Mobil International motor show in Leipzig, Germany that takes place on April 5-13. Like its predecessor, the car will be available in either 3- or 5-door hatchback body styles and with a range of gasoline and diesel engines for markets other than North America.

Like in its new, bigger B-class stablemate that will also debut at AMI, Mercedes used an ECO start/stop system on two variants of the A-class. The feature will be available on the gasoline-engined, high-volume models that are A 150 and A 170 BlueEfficiency for up to 9 percent better fuel efficiency in city traffic and less emissions.
The ultra-efficient A160 CDI BlueEfficiency is powered by a direct injection diesel engine that, combined with many electronic and aero tweaks, means the car achieves a fuel economy of 4.5 liters per 100 km on the European NEDC combined cycle, or about a 52 mpg equivalent. This performance earned the model an Environmental Certificate from international ISO standard 14062 "Design For Environment," becoming the first compact car to do so.
The new A-class hatchbacks are distinguished thanks to a new hood, fascia, headlights grille up front, with a new rear fascia and taillights out back. Avantgarde trim get a unique front bumper. The door handles and new, larger mirrors are now body-colored, and receive 15-inch restyled wheels on base models and 16s on higher trims. The interiors feature new seat fabrics and door trim, with the Avantgarde trim receiving diagonally brushed aluminum and the Elegance models sporting wood trim. A larger center console storage compartment and a redesigned cup holder round out interior changes.
Other, more functional changes include making Headlamp Assist and ESP with hill-start assist as standard equipment across the range. For a more comfortable driving position, a telescoping steering wheel has been integrated into the 2009 B-Class as well. Flashing brake lights after a crash are a new safety measure which works to warn other drivers.
New technology includes an optional active parking assist system which helps drivers find a suitable parallel parking spot by measuring it with ultrasonic sensors to see if there is enough space and then steering the car into it, similar to the Lexus system used on its flagship LS sedan.
The newly designed Audio 50 APS infotainment system offers Bluetooth, a color display and Europe-wide navigation and DVD drive. Mercedes' Comand APS navigation and voice command system is optional, and also includes HDD navigation, Music Register, and SD memory card slots. A fresh media interface provides MP3 player and USB connections.
Since its launch in 1997, over two million A-class compacts were sold.

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