By 2025, when the all-new A-Class becomes fully electric, Mercedes will try to keep its customers happy with a model update – albeit very gentle – for the base model and the larger B-Class. In any case, not much will change for the next model year. Visually, there are only minor touch-ups on the front mask, hood and rear. If you didn’t know better, you would hardly know him.
Despite the facelift, those interested in LED headlights for classes A and B will still have to pay extra. The small seven-inch instrument cluster in the cockpit has also not been changed. Two contemporary, larger 10.25-inch digital displays are available for an additional cost only. Distinctive features such as the reversing camera, USB package or leather steering wheel are now standard in Mercedes.
Electric gasoline engines
The technical changes are somewhat more extensive than the visual ones. The petrol engine range has been electrified. It includes four-cylinder units with seven- or eight-speed dual-clutch transmissions. As mild hybrids, they are equipped with a 48-volt electrical system that provides an increase of ten kilowatts during start-up and reduces consumption.
The A 250e’s plug-in hybrid drive offers more electric power in the A-Class, powered by a small 1.4-liter turbo four-cylinder 109 hp (80 kW) electric motor. The majestic total power of 218 hp and 450 Nm is balanced by a standard consumption of 1.0 liters per 100 kilometers and an all-electric range of more than 80 kilometers. It accelerates to 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds from standstill and has a top speed of 230 km/h.
In addition, the A-Class continues to be offered as A 180 and A 200 with 136 and 163 hp as front-wheel drive vehicles. The A 220 and A 250 versions offer 190 and 224 hp and 4×4 respectively. In addition to the economical diesels, there are still the sporty AMG A35 and AMG A45 with 306 and 421 hp respectively.
Almost nothing new in the B-Class
In terms of driving and standard equipment, the visually also gently renewed B-Class offers no difference. Here, too, the 218 hp plug-in hybrid or the B 250 4matic, the most powerful 4×4 variant with 224 hp, should be the highest volume variants.
With these few tweaks, Mercedes probably wants to emphasize that they don’t want to completely ignore their bread and butter models despite its announced luxury strategy. Only: real innovations for the base models can only be expected from 2025 with the all-new A-Class.