The 1/3 : 2/3 split rear seat bench allows the A-Class to be adapted quickly and easily according to the transportation job in hand. The basic principle is “rearrangement first”. The seat cushions and then the backrests can be folded forwards either individually or as a unit in a single movement, increasing the reach of the load compartment from 649 to 1372 millimetres and the boot capacity from 435 to as much as 980 litres. Plus, the 2/3-section of the seat cushion in the five-door version can be completely removed and stowed under the height-adjustable load compartment floor in order to create more space for luggage and leisure or sports equipment. This pushes load capacity up to a maximum 1485 litres – territory normally reserved for minivans. An overview of the vital statistics:

Five-door A-Class

Figures in accordance with VDA measuring method

With a width of 1010 millimetres and a depth of 723 millimetres, the boot offers sufficient space in which to transport a medium-sized pram – without having to fold for-ward or remove the rear seats.

Mercedes experts used a luggage set to demonstrate the benefits of the new dimensions to a family preparing for a trip away. With the rear seat bench in the standard position and the luggage area to be filled to roof level, passengers in the outgoing A Class could take one suitcase with capacity of 86 litres, another offering 69 litres and a small case with wheels (25 litres) with them on holiday. In the new A-Class, on the other hand, they have significantly greater load capacity at their disposal, with the same seating position leaving enough space in the boot for a second 86-litre suit-case, a sports holdall and a beauty case.

When the rear seat backrest is folded forwards, the load compartment floor – which is height-adjustable through 90 millimetres – allows a level loading surface to be created in the rear of the car. As the new A-Class comes as standard with the innovative TIREFIT tyre sealant kit, the spare wheel well serves as a practical and concealed stowage area. The load compartment floor has a capacity of 67 or 118 litres, depending on its position. A further stowage compartment (4 litres) is located behind a flap in the panelling on the right-hand side of the boot area.

EASY-VARIO-PLUS increases load capacity to as much as 1995 litres

Mercedes-Benz has developed the EASY-VARIO system (optional) for customers who demand that much more in terms of interior variability. In the three-door A-Class, the package includes a height-adjustable load compartment floor and removable rear seat cushions (1/3 and 2/3 sections).

The EASY-VARIO-PLUS system, which is available as an option for the five-door version, transforms the interior of the new A-Class into that of a goods carrier:

• Both rear seats can be completely removed – either individually or as a unit - and the seat cushion bases can be folded neatly away. When the following are removed, load capacity increases accordingly:
• 1/3 rear seat to 710 litres (with load up to roof level: 945 litres)
• 2/3 rear seat to 870 litres (with load up to roof level: 1185 litres)
• both rear seats to 1150 litres (with load up to roof level: 1580 litres)
• The backrest of the front passenger seat folds forwards, extending the load area from tailgate to instrument panel to around 2.34 meters in length.
• The front passenger seat can be completely removed. This allows the A-Class to offer maximum load capacity of up to 1995 litres, whilst the load area – from the tailgate to the front footwells – then measures some 2.75 meters in length.

The seats: two-zone upholstery ensures impressive comfort

Mercedes engineers were not satisfied with merely upping the spaciousness of the interior, improving its ergonomic design and achieving peerless variability in the development of the new A-Class – they also devoted special attention to the seats. And the results of this commitment are impressive indeed. The seats show considerably improvements over the predecessor model’s in terms of comfort, side stability, design and perceived quality. Plus, they also offer greater scope for individual adjustment and a more extensive range of optional extras, laying the foundations for exceptional seating comfort.

The seats for the driver and front passenger represent the fruits of new manufacturing technology, which sees the single-piece foamed seat cushions split into separate zones of differing hardness. The foamed material in the raised side bolsters has a stiffer composition in order to ensure good lateral support for the driver and front passenger when cornering and turning off, whilst the softer properties of the seat surfaces allow pressure to be distributed evenly and offer enviable levels of comfort as a result. The depth of the front seat surfaces now measures 512 millimetres, up from the previous 502 mm, whilst 14 millimetres have been added to the width of the cushion, which now spans 513 mm.

The new A-Class sees the frame-type head restraints of the outgoing model replaced by fully padded active variants, which can be adjusted in height and angle. The front seat backrests, meanwhile, are fitted with head/thorax bags – another of the safety systems fitted as standard in the new A-Class. These newly developed airbags further improve occupant protection in the event of a side collision.

The scope of adjustment for the front seats is the same as that in the predecessor model. The reach of the driver’s seat can be modified through up to 260 millimetres and its height by 56 millimetres. If the driver alters the height of the seat, the tilt an-gle of the seat cushion is adjusted automatically through up to six degrees. A full range of adjustment for the driver and front passenger backrests means that they can be reclined fully, if desired.

The front seats of the three-door A-Class are fitted with a system which allows the rear passengers to climb in and out of the car comfortably and easily. When the front seat backrests are folded forwards, the EASY-ENTRY function allows the seats to slide all the way forward in a single movement, creating extra room to get in or out of the car.