2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class unveiled

2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class. Image: Mercedes-Benz via AFP Relaxnews

It seems to have been a long time coming, and there have been a number of teasers from the manufacturer as well as spy shots of the car on the internet, but the all-new fourth-generation of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class has finally been officially revealed, and it looks to have been well worth the wait.

To be fair, there are not too many surprises as there have been endless camouflaged spy shots as well as official teasers around for a while now, but that doesn’t diminish the importance of the new A-Class by any means. This is the version of the A-Class that will finally go global as it’s the first generation that will be offered in the lucrative North American market.

The exterior styling might not have been a huge departure from the previous model when the production 2019 A-Class was unveiled in Amsterdam, but the interior is where the real action is with this one as it marks the debut of the MBUX infotainment system. A unique feature of MBUX is that it has the ability to learn thanks to artificial intelligence, so the system can be adapted to suit the individual user, which Mercedes believes will create an emotional connection between the vehicle, driver and the passengers.

This A-Class has an interior that’s now been completely redesigned and boasts a modern, avant-garde look that takes the affordable Mercedes in an even more premium direction. The German luxury automaker has taken a completely new approach by revolutionizing the compact class specifically from the inside, but also delivers a greater feeling of spaciousness. And for the first time, the cowl above the cockpit has been completely done away with.

Britta Seeger, the Daimler AG board of management member with responsibility for Mercedes-Benz Cars sales, explains, “With the fourth generation of the A-Class, we are redefining modern luxury in the compact class. To do this we have opted for a combination of uncompromisingly dynamic design and an intuitive operating concept. With MBUX – the new Mercedes-Benz User Experience – we are creating a completely new customer experience.”

There will be three engine options available to European buyers, which will be two petrols and a diesel. American buyers are not going to see the diesels, and they’ll also get a different body style as this hatchback version isn’t destined for the United States market either. Instead there will be a sedan version for America that won’t be offered in Europe when the car goes on sale in the summer. JB

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