Mercedes-Benz A-Class. Click image to enlarge

Stuttgart, Germany – Mercedes-Benz has announced it will unveil the all-new versions of its A- and B-Class models at the Auto Mobil International motor show in Leipzig, Germany in April. The models share a platform, although the A-Class is not sold in Canada.

Following an extensive facelift, the A-Class is “younger, more attractive and more environmentally friendly than ever before,” the company said. A start/stop function is available for the first time on the high-volume A150 and A170 models, which reduces fuel consumption of the BlueEFFICIENCY diesel models by up to nine per cent in city traffic. Mercedes-Benz has also developed an additional BlueEFFICIENCY package for the A160 CDI two-door model, reducing its fuel consumption to 4.5 L/100 km. The A-Class has received an internationally-valid Environmental Certificate, the world’s first compact car to receive such an accolade.

The new-generation B-Class is now available in Europe with a gasoline/natural-gas drive system for the first time, which consumes 4.9 kilograms of natural gas per 100 kilometres, and provides the equivalent of a 50 per cent fuel economy improvement over running on gasoline. As with the A-Class, the ECO start/stop function will be offered on the B150 and B170 models.

First premiered in 1997, the A-Class has sold over two million copies since its launch. The new generation will be available in a range of four-door sedan and two-door coupe versions in the spring of 2008.