PKW4690190 169 series A-Class Coupés, 2008 - 2010

169 series A-Class Coupés, 2008 - 2010

In April 2008 at the "Auto Mobil International" in Leipzig, Mercedes‑Benz presented the facelifted model series 169, with a modified design and extended standard equipment. Mercedes‑Benz had not only improved the design and equipment but also the technology, economic efficiency and environmental compatibility: at the market launch of the facelifted A‑Class, three models were available as BlueEFFICIENCY models. Series production began in June 2008 at the Mercedes‑Benz plant in Rastatt.

The model's new look was apparent at first glance: among other things the headlamps and tail lights, radiator grille and front and rear bumpers had been redesigned, and the side view now featured newly designed exterior mirrors and rims. Inside there were new seat fabrics, the AVANTGARDE line featured new trim parts, and the exterior mirror housings and door handles were painted as standard in vehicle colour.

There were still two body versions to choose from, each appealing to different target groups: the three-door coupé, which combined the outstanding safety and comfort features of the A‑Class with a youthful, sporty appeal, and the five-door A‑Class, designed for everyday adaptability and functionality. Other possibilities of tailoring the vehicle to individual requirements were offered by the two lines ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE, special equipment packages and a series of useful optional extras.

As before, there were seven four-cylinder engines to choose from, combined with a five or six-speed manual transmission, depending on the torque. The continuously variable AUTOTRONIC automatic transmission was also available as an option. The output spectrum of the engines ranged from 60 kW (82 hp) to 142 kW (193 hp). With fuel consumption of 4.5 to 8.1 litres per 100 kilometres (combined NEDC consumption), the four-cylinder engines were among the most economical in their displacement and output classes.

From autumn 2008 Mercedes‑Benz offered a standard-fit BlueEFFICIENCY package for the three-door A 160 CDI with manual transmission, improving engine efficiency, aerodynamics, rolling resistance, energy management and weight. BlueEFFICIENCY was the new term for Mercedes‑Benz's commitment to reducing fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. In March 2008, Mercedes‑Benz had begun with the initial introduction of around 20 new BlueEFFICIENCY models which combined typical brand values such as safety and comfort with exemplary efficiency and environmental compatibility. The programme was offered from the A‑C lass to the S‑Class and, in addition to the ECO start/stop function, it included aerodynamic optimisation, the use of the electric ECO steering system, an intelligent lightweight construction, the use of tyres with low rolling resistance and sophisticated generator management.

The measures in the A 160 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY reduced the coupé's fuel consumption by over 8 percent to 4.5 litres per 100 kilometres. The 60 kW (82 hp) coupé's carbon dioxide emissions totalled 119 grams per kilometre. One of the features of the BlueEFFICIENCY package was an aerodynamically optimised radiator grille. It was sealed off on the inside, reducing the volume of air flowing into the engine compartment. Despite this, the CDI engine was still cooled effectively at all times. The body was also lowered by 10 millimetres to further reduce drag.

The Mercedes‑Benz engineers leveraged further potential to save fuel by dynamically controlling the power supply on board the A 160 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY to save energy. This meant that a sensor permanently checked the battery status so that the generator output could be reduced when the battery was well charged. This reduced the work required of the engine, which in turn consumed less fuel. The generator management system consistently converted the power generated during the engine's overrun phases into electrical energy, which was then used to recharge the battery in an optimum, energy-efficient manner.

The high-volume A 150 and A 170 models were also available as an option in a BlueEFFICIENCY version with a convenient ECO start/stop function which reduced petrol consumption in city traffic by up to 9 percent. The engine automatically switched off when the driver placed the manual transmission in neutral at low speed while pressing the brake pedal. The moment the clutch was pressed or the brake released, the engine sprang back to life in a fraction of a second and almost without a sound. This ability to restart the engine swiftly yet smoothly gave the ECO start/stop function a key edge over other systems of this type. Mercedes‑Benz used a starter generator which was linked to the crankshaft via the drive belt. As a result, the engine started much more rapidly and quietly than with a conventional starter. While the car was on the move, the starter generator fed electrical power to the A‑Class's on-board power supply.

Its safety and comfort equipment set the A‑Class clearly apart from other compact cars. Standard equipment included adaptive front airbags, head/thorax side airbags, adaptive belt force limiters, crash-responsive front head restraints, a multifunction steering wheel, speed-sensitive power steering, a selective damping system and air conditioning. But in this facelift Mercedes‑Benz also added further standard equipment details and new assistance systems, designed to enhance safety and comfort. These included Hill-Start Assist, adaptive, flashing brake lights, crash-responsive emergency lighting, power windows with one-touch control, Headlamp Assist and ambient and signal lights in the tailgate. Opting for the ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE created a subtly different feel, with individual comfort and design details.

The list of optional equipment included high-tech systems which can by no means be taken for granted in this vehicle class. For example the newly developed infotainment devices, which, depending on the model, featured a colour display, a Bluetooth interface, a telephone keypad and a connection for external audio devices. The new top-of-the-range Audio 50 APS and COMAND APS models offered additional functions such as Europe-wide navigation and a DVD player. COMAND APS also featured voice control as standard. The new Parking Assistant helped the driver when reversing into a parking space by automatically taking care of the required steering manoeuvres.

Mercedes‑Benz had also put together various equipment packages, made up of different optional extras, for the A‑Class. Customers could opt for the Light and Sight package, the Sports package and the new Selective package which included leather appointments, electrically adjustable, heated front seats and THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control.

From model year 2009 the designations of certain models of the series 169 line-up were changed. Petrol models with a 1.5-litre displacement became the A 160 BlueEFFICIENCY and A 160 and those with a 1.7-litre displacement became the A 180 BlueEFFICIENCY and A 180.

In spring 2009 Mercedes‑Benz introduced the A‑Class "Special Edition 2009", manufactured in a limited edition of 5500. The look of the special model was characterised by exclusive elements such as black radiator louvres, titanium silver-painted 16-inch light-alloy wheels in a new 9-spoke design (tyre size 195/55 R16) and a "Special Edition" label on the mirror triangle. Standard equipment for the exterior also included fog lamps and a free choice of metallic paintwork. Inside, the two-tone colour scheme in black and grey and the high-quality materials underlined the special status of the Special Edition 2009. The multifunction steering wheel, shift/selector lever and hand brake handle were trimmed in leather. The equipment also included the Audio 20 radio with a CD player and a Bluetooth hands-free system, plus a Light and Sight package. Another standard feature was the Seat Comfort package, with height-adjustable front passenger seat, seat cushion angle adjustment and lumbar support for the driver and front passenger. With all of these features fitted as standard, the new special model resulted in a saving of 36 percent on the price of the series-produced version. The Special Edition 2009 was available for all model variants of the A‑C lass, including models with a standard-fit BlueEFFICIENCY package.

In June 2009, the A-Class then celebrated another production anniversary: at the Rastatt plant the 750,000th vehicle of the 169 model series rolled off the assembly line. The diesel share of the A-Class at that time was around 40% worldwide, with the most popular engine variants the A 160, A 180 CDI and A 180. The top model in the Coupé range, the 142 kW/193 hp A 200 Turbo, was always the more exotic choice. By that time, its annual production figures had fallen into double figures.

While the five-door A-Class Saloon successfully held its own on the market for around 15 years, the three-door version of the 169 model series, launched in 2004, proved considerably less popular. Although the three-door model with its coupé-like lines set a visually sporty accent in the A-Class, the overall sales figures fell well short of expectations.

By way of comparison: the three-door 169 model series offered between 2004 and 2010 ran to a total production figure of around 108,000 units, while almost 820,000 units of the Saloon variant were produced over the same period. As a consequence, production of the Coupé version was discontinued as early as in July 2010.

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A 170, Coupé - C 169
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A 170, Coupé - C 169
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