Award-winning Mercedes A-Class now in India at Rs22 lakh

Mercedes-Benz India today launched its much-anticipated A-Class line of compact luxury cars in Mumbai, with an 'introductory' price of Rs. 21,93,500 for the A180 CDI and Rs22,73,500 for the A180 Sport.

The A-Class is powered by a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine and a disel variant that sports a 2.2 litre, four-cylinder diesel engine, with streamlined aerodynamic design ensuring a low drag coefficient of 0.27.

The car has a 7G-DCT automated 7-speed dual clutch transmission, 11 drive assistance systems, direct-injection turbocharger technology, 14.7 cm infotainment display system, and multifunctional sporty steering wheels with paddle shifts.

It features seven airbags, an electronic stability programme to help minimise the loss of control of the car during emergency braking, acceleration skid control, electric parking brake, brake assist system, attention assist and hill start assist in cohesion to make it safe for Indian roads.

The A-Class boasts F1-inspired seats and a dashboard design that give the feel of a sports car. Features like the ergonomic cockpit and ample visual highlights underline excellent interior quality of the car.

The car has 341 litres boot capacity, which is the best in the class.

"With the new A-Class Mercedes-Benz now pioneers the compact luxury segment in India which reflects the changing customer trend of compact being equated to cool and trendy. It is the safest cars with 11 drive assistance systems; and is India's most fuel efficient luxury car giving 1,000 km on a full tank of diesel,'' said Eberhard Kern, managing director and chief executive officer, Mercedes-Benz India.

Globally, Mercedes-Benz has received more than 90,000 bookings within months of launch of the A-Class. It has also received a number of awards for its progressive design.

It won The Red Dot Design Award 2013 for its unique design and product concept. It was also named "Germany's Most Beautiful Car" at the 2012 AUTO BILD Design Award. Further, the A-Class was also awarded the Yellow Angel 2013 by Europe's largest automobile club.