Significant increase in output and torque with exemplary fuel consumption and comfort.......

More output, more torque and more driving pleasure – these were the development objectives for the engines in the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class, which will celebrate its world premiere at the end of June 2004 and appear in the showrooms of company-owned sales outlets and Mercedes-Benz dealerships in the autumn. The range of engines available for this innovative compact car will comprise seven four-cylinder units, including three newly developed direct-injection CDI diesels and a new, turbocharged 142 kW/193 hp petrol engine. Mercedes-Benz is also presenting its first continuously variable automatic transmission, which can be combined with any of the engines as an option. A new six-speed manual transmission is also celebrating its premiere.
Compared to the preceding series, the output of the petrol and diesel engines for the new A-Class has increased by up to 38 percent, while torque has improved by up to 46 percent. All the four-cylinder engines meet the stringent EU4 exhaust emission limits, and a particulate filter is available on request for the diesel units. Despite this higher performance the fuel consumption of the petrol engines has been significantly reduced.

The engines for the new A-Class are of a unique design which allows installation at an angle of up to 59 degrees behind the front axle. This makes the four-cylinder units important components in the intelligent safety concept: during a severe frontal collision they slide downwards to the rear without damaging the passenger cell.

The output range of the three newly developed CDI diesel engines extends from 60 kW/82 hp to 103 kW/140 hp. Major differences compared with the outgoing model include an increase in displacement from 1689 to 1991 cc, higher ignition pressures and second-generation common-rail fuel injection, which operates with dual pilot injection and a higher injection pressure (1600 bar). These and other measures lead to a significant increase in output and torque, a reduction in exhaust emissions and a noticeable improvement in noise comfort. The new A 160 CDI has a roughly nine percent greater output (60 kW/82 hp) and develops a 12.5 percent higher torque (180 Newton metres) than the previous model of the same name. The new 80 kW/109 hp diesel engine in the A 180 CDI has 14 percent more output than the power unit of the A 170 CDI and makes almost 39 percent more torque available between 1600 and 2600 rpm.

The flagship diesel model in the new A-Class is the A 200 CDI, which achieves new standards in terms of agility and driving pleasure. The direct-injection engine with a VNT turbocharger and an ignition pressure of 180 bar has an output of 103 kW/140 hp and develops a torque of 300 Newton metres over a wide engine speed range between 1600 and 3000 rpm. This guarantees rapid acceleration and brisk inter-mediate sprints. The fuel consumption of the CDI models in the new A-Class is at the same exemplary level as the previous series.

The optionally available particulate filter reduces particulate emissions by a further 99 percent. It regenerates without additives and remains effective over a high mileage.

Petrol engines: new A 200 TURBO with 142 kW/193 hp

Compared to the preceding model, the four-cylinder petrol engines for the new A-Class show an increase of up to 38 percent in output and up to 36 percent in torque. At the same time the fuel consumption, exhaust emissions and noise levels have been significantly reduced. With the A 200 TURBO the A-Class enters new realms in terms of performance: with 142 kW/193 hp this engine achieves a remarkable power-to-swept-volume ratio of approx. 70 Kilowatts per litre, making it one of the most powerful units in its displacement class. The maximum torque of 280 Newton metres remains constant throughout a wide engine speed range between 1800 and 4850 rpm. The turbocharger is a joint development by Mercedes engineers and their colleagues at DaimlerChrysler Research.

In each case the increased output and higher torque of the new A 150, A 170 and A 200 models are based on a 100 cc increase in displacement and the use of a variable intake manifold, which helps to improve pulling power at lower engine speeds.

By reducing friction losses in the piston, connecting rod and valve control system, as well as improving the mixture distribution within the combustion chambers, the specific fuel consumption of the spark-ignition engines has been even further lowered. Despite their higher performance the petrol models in the new A-Class will consume approx. ten percent less fuel that their predecessors as measured in the NEDC.

AUTOTRONIC: premiere of the first continuously variable automatic transmission by Mercedes

Mercedes-Benz is introducing a new era in transmission technology with the AUTOTRONIC automatic transmission. This operates on the principle of a continuously variable transmission, in which the ratios are changed by means of a variator pulley and a steel thrust belt. As a result the A-Class accelerates with no interruption of tractive power, and the engine reaches its maximum performance more quickly than with a conventional automatic transmission. The continuously variable AUTOTRONIC transmission also ensures a high level of ride and noise comfort.

AUTOTRONIC allows the driver to choose between two transmission programs. In the Comfort program the transmission keeps the engine speed at the lowest possible level, so that the A-Class accelerates more gently and consumes less fuel. In the Sport program AUTOTRONIC automatically recognises the individual driving style and adapts the shift strategy accordingly. A manual mode is also available in which the automatic transmission divides the ratio range into seven virtual stages. The driver shifts the gears up or down by briefly nudging the shift lever. The complete AUTOTRONIC unit has a length of only 330 millimetres, making it the world’s most compact continuously variable transmission.

Like AUTOTRONIC, the standard six-speed manual transmission of the A 180 CDI, A 200 CDI and A 200 TURBO is a new development. This unit is of compact aluminium construction and is particularly precise in operation. The tried-and-tested five-speed manual transmission is standard equipment for the other engine variants of the new A-Class. Mercedes engineers have made detailed improvements and configured this unit to suit the new engines.

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