2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan unveiled

MERCEDES-BENZ has revealed its all-new A-Class sedan to the world, and claims its slippery silhouette makes it the most aerodynamic car in production.

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The first-generation body-style will begin production in Mexico later this year, before a second factory in Germany adds to production volume of the four-door in 2019. A long-wheelbase version of the A-Class sedan will also be built and sold exclusively in China.

Mercedes-Benz believes the A-Class sedan will have the lowest drag coefficient of any production vehicle in the world when it goes on sale, something it has worked hard to achieve in order to make it as fuel efficient as possible.

The German brand says the sedan has a drag coefficient of just 0.22, which is equal to Merc’s previous record-holder, the CLA Coupe, but the new body style has a smaller frontal area of 2.19m².

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Two engines will be available for the A-Class sedan at launch. A200 variants get a 120kW/250Nm turbocharged petrol engine, while the A180d is powered by an 85kW/260Nm turbo-diesel. Both will be mated to seven-speed dual-clutch transmissions with claimed combined fuel economy of 5.4-5.2L/100km and 4.3-4.0L/100km respectively.

A-Class engineers have also worked hard to increase interior room for front passengers in all dimensions: headroom, elbow room, shoulder room, and legroom. Rear occupants haven’t been forgotten, with efforts made there to make the back seat more accommodating than the CLA Coupe, which has a sloping roofline that robs some interior space.

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Measuring in at 4.5-metres long, the A-Class sedan has a 2729mm wheelbase – longer than an A3 sedan – and 420-litres of seats-up luggage capacity, which about on par with rivals.

The same cutting-edge MBUX infotainment system that debuted with the A-Class hatch will be standard in the sedan, along with advanced driver assistance systems brought down from the flagship S-Class, such as active brake assist and active lane keeping assist.

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A-Class sedans can be optioned with four exterior design packs, including Style, Progressive, AMG Line, and Night Package.

Underpinning the A-Class sedan is Merc’s MFA II platform, with McPherson suspension up front for all variants, and either a torsion-beam or independent rear suspension set-up depending on engine output, drivetrain layout (FWD vs AWD), adaptive damping fitment, and wheel size.

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The A-Class sedan will make its public debut at the Paris Motor Show on October 4.