The Mercedes-Benz A-Class is a supermini, now a small family car, produced by the German automobile manufacturer Mercedes-Benz. The first generation (W168) was introduced in 1997, the second generation model (W169) appeared in late 2004, and the all-new generation model W176 launched in late 2012. Originally launched only as a five-door hatchback in 1997, the second generation W169 introduced a three-door hatchback to sit six inches below the five-door. In the markets that the A-Class is or has been sold in, it has represented the entry level model of Mercedes-Benz.
Launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in the autumn of 1997, the W168 A-Class was quite unusual for Mercedes-Benz featuring a front wheel drive layout and unusual tall yet short body. One innovation of the W168 was a frontal-impact absorption system called the "Sandwich" (see patents DE4326 9 and DE4400132 in the name of Mercedes-Benz). In the event of a violent frontal impact, the engine and transmission would slide underneath the floor below the pedals rather than entering the passenger compartment.
The W168 became infamous in 1997 after flipping over during the traditional performed by the Swedish automobile publication Teknikens Värld. According to the report, the W168 overturned when manoeuvring to avoid the "elk". Mercedes initially denied the problem, but then took the surprising step of recalling all units sold to date (2,600) and suspending sales for three months until the problem was solved by adding electronic stability control and modifying the suspension.The company spent DM 2.5 billion in developing the car, with a further DM 300 million to fix it.
Between 1997 and 2004, 1.1 million first generation A-Class models had been sold.
The A-Class was facelifted in 2001, with minor alterations to the front and rear bumper design and the addition of a new 170 mm (6.7 in) longer wheelbase version. It was launched at the GenevaMotor Show.
Engines
All A-Class models are powered by four-cylinder engines, with 1.4 L and 1.6 L petrol models at launch (M 166 series), followed by two versions of a 1.7 L diesel engine (OM 668 series). In 1999, a larger 1.9 L petrol model was added, with the 2.1 the last W168 version to be launched in 2002.| Model | Year | Motor | Rated Power | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A160 CDI | 1998–2000 | 1.7L diesel (1689cc) | 44 kW (60 PS; 59 hp) | 158 km/h (98 mph) |
| A160 CDI | 2000–2004 | 1.7L diesel (1689cc) | 55 kW (75 PS; 74 hp) | 163 km/h (101 mph) |
| A170 CDI | 1998–2000 | 1.7L diesel (1689cc) | 66 kW (90 PS; 89 hp) | 175 km/h (109 mph) |
| A170 CDI | 2000–2004 | 1.7L diesel (1689cc) | 70 kW (95 PS; 94 hp) | 182 km/h (113 mph) |
| A140 | 1998–2004 | 1.4L petrol (1397cc) | 60 kW (82 PS; 80 hp) | 170 km/h (106 mph) |
| A140 Auto | 2000–2004 | 1.6L petrol | 60 kW (82 PS; 80 hp) | 166 km/h (103 mph) |
| A160 | 1998–2004 | 1.6L petrol (1598cc) | 75 kW (102 PS; 101 hp) | 182 km/h (113 mph) |
| A190 | 1999–2004 | 1.9L petrol (1898cc) | 92 kW (125 PS; 123 hp) | 198 km/h (123 mph) |
| A210 Evolution | 2002–2004 | 2.1L petrol (2084cc) | 103 kW (140 PS; 138 hp) | 203 km/h (126 mph) |
Production
DaimlerChrysler invested EUR 900 million in developing the Rastatt plant where the A-Class is produced, and created 1600 new jobs (for a total of 4700). A further 600 people work on the industrial estate (palatial estates for upper management) at the plant site.Studies of the time dictated that the project plan from the factory to the city of Campinas, in São Paulo, would be the most suitable for the production of a car in Brazil. Apart from being next to the airport of Viracopos, had adequate space for both the new factory of Mercedes-Benz, and for the installation of suppliers.
In 1992, the governor of São Paulo, Mário Covas, did not accept the fiscal renouncement proposal by Mercedes-Benz. A feasibility study of the construction unit of Mercedes-Benz in Juiz de Fora started being made in 1995. In April 1996, signed the memorandum of understanding between the government and Mercedes-Benz.
The factory was built in an area of 2.8 million square meters, in BR-040, 28 miles from the center of Juiz de Fora and comprised four industrial buildings, park vendors, test track and training center.
It took away Paraibuna River bed, build a bus terminal, a bridge and a railway branch, improve road access and long distance connection to natural gas supply. SEBRAE offered training providers and SENAI a training program for employees. In 1997, construction began unit of Mercedes-Benz in Brazil and in less than seven months later, the first equipment was installed.
While many things were still being defined, the construction was in full swing. The European version was barely out of the oven in mid-1997 and Mercedes-Benz announced that "The Class" would be manufactured in the region of Itamar Franco from December 1998. On April 23, 1999, the unit was inaugurated Juiz de Fora.
Mercedes-Benz began W168 production on 17 February 1999 at its new Brazilian facility in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais. The Brazilian plant was the company's first factory in South America dedicated to passenger cars, with an investment of USD 840 million and 10,000 employees. The factory initially produced A-Class and C-Class models, assembling them from pieces manufactured in Germany. The target for the cars was regional markets (from Argentina to Mexico) with modifications made to the cars to suit local conditions, like a protection for the motor base. On 15 August 2005 the factory stopped production of A-Class cars.
No comments:
Post a Comment