In June 2004, Prof. Jürgen Hubbert, CEO of the then Mercedes Car Group, presented the second generation of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class on a club cruise ship in Greek waters. The market launch of the new 169 series was scheduled for September of that year. Two body variants were now available for the first time, but – in contrast to the preceding model series – only one wheelbase. The choice was between the 5-Door Saloon (W 169) and the sportified 3-Door Coupé (C 169), both with the same wheelbase of 2568 mm.
The basic design of the new A-Class followed the familiar sandwich concept that had already technically distinguished the first generation. The engine and transmission were installed in an inclined position of up to 59°, partly in front of and partly under the passenger compartment. In the event of a severe frontal crash, the rigid drive unit did not shift in the direction of the interior, but instead slid down the front floor of the car, which was also inclined. Thanks to this arrangement of the engine and transmission, a greater effective deformation length was available in the short front section of the A-Class, which on the one hand resulted in the high safety margin for the vehicle occupants that is typical of the brand, and on the other allowed exemplary use of space in combination with astonishing interior variability.
At market launch, the 169 series was available in six engine variants. For the diesel models, the A 160 CDI 160 with 60 kW/82 hp was the entry level to the world of A-Class Coupés, followed by the A 180 CDI with 80 kW/109 hp and the A 200 CDI, which already showed an emphatic power delivery with 103 kW/140 hp. The same turbodiesel engine was used in each case, namely the newly developed 2.0-litre four-cylinder OM 640, which was configured for three power levels and was at the cutting edge of diesel engine development with four-valve technology, two overhead camshafts and second-generation common rail injection, ensuring good power delivery combined with fuel economy. All the diesel engines already bettered the limits of the Euro 4 emission standard. An additional particulate filter system was initially available as an optional extra and became standard equipment from summer 2005.
The petrol-engined models, the A 150 with 70 kW/95 hp, the A 170 with 85 kW/115 hp and the A 200 generating 100 kW/136 hp, were each powered by a four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine of the M 266 series, but had different displacements of 1498 cc, 1699 cc and 2034 cc. The engine family consisted of revised versions of the M 166 engines already used in the first A-Class generation from 1997. Though also presented in 2004, the top model of the 169 series, the A 200 Turbo, was only introduced in the following year. It also featured the 2.0-litre version of the M 266 with turbocharging and intercooling, and delivered 142 kW/193 hp to the driven front wheels. This made it possible to achieve a performance level significantly higher than that of the other A-Class Saloons: while their top speeds were between 170 km/h and 200 km/h, the A 200 Turbo was capable of almost 230 km/h. The petrol engines were also certified according to Euro 4 and had up to 10 % lower fuel consumption and commensurately reduced exhaust emissions compared to the corresponding preceding models of the 168 series.
As standard, power transmission in the A 160 CDI, A 150, A 170 and A 200 was by a manual 5-speed transmission, while the A 180 CDI, A 200 CDI and A 200 Turbo made six manually shifted forward gears available. Alternatively, the newly developed AUTOTRONIC CVT automatic transmission could be ordered for all models – a technical first at Mercedes-Benz. In this case the ratios were continuously variable thanks to a cone pulley variator and thrust link belt, so that vehicles equipped with the AUTOTRONIC could accelerate with no interruption of tractive power.
Although the 5-Door Saloon was on the same technical basis with the 3-Door Coupé, it differed in design and appearance. In the former, the side silhouette was characterized by a solid line arching from the front to the steeply sloping rear. Two main lines delineated the vehicle's flanks and visually lowered the height. One was the beltline, which began in front of the mirror triangle, ascended towards the rear and swung sharply towards the heavily slanted C-pillar, where the broad rear window protruded into the side in an arrow shape together with the tail lights, giving a fresh touch to the exterior appearance of the new A-Class. In addition, a new window configuration with significantly larger side windows than in the preceding model created a more airy sense of space and at the same time offered an improved view to the rear.
Secondly, a sharply delineated bead rising steeply backwards to the large tail lights formed a striking shoulder line. The wings with pronounced wheel arch edges were generously dimensioned and made the considerable height of the new A-Class appear lower. In the rear design, both body variants showed the same design idiom, with the rear and side sections harmonising particularly well because the surface of the rear window visually extended into the flanks.
The appearance of the redesigned A-Class was rounded off by 15-inch wheels with a new hub cap in the "Classic" equipment line, 15-inch light-alloy wheels in a 7-hole design as standard on the "Elegance" models and 16-inch light-alloy wheels in a 5-spoke design in the "Avantgarde" line. 17-inch and 18-inch wheels were also available as optional extras. The "Elegance" and "Avantgarde" versions were also equipped with rubbing strips along the sides.
Although barely apparent at first glance, the body dimensions of the new A-Class were very different from those of the preceding series. The vehicle length had increased by 232 mm and the width by 45 mm, which in combination with the extended wheelbase ensured slightly modified proportions and noticeably more space in the interior.
With its fully galvanised body, this new vehicle generation also offered long-term corrosion protection in line with the quality standards of the Mercedes-Benz brand. Highly exposed structural areas such as the front side members, the upper side member level, the side sills and the rear wheel arches were also protected by cavity preservation.
The second A-Class generation underlined its reputation as a technological trendsetter with numerous pioneering innovations with respect to handling safety and comfort. In addition to the well-known sandwich concept, the newly developed belt and airbag system, which included adaptive, two-stage front airbags, belt tensioners in the front and on the outer rear seats, adaptive belt force limiters and newly developed head/thorax side airbags instead of the previous sidebags, ensured a very high level of protection. The same applied to the increased use of high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel alloys, high-strength adhesive bonding and additional reinforcing sections in the body structure.
As for the suspension, the spherical parabolic rear axle represented the most significant innovation in the new A-Class. This axle design was characterised by particularly precise wheel guidance and good roll support when cornering. The new rear axle therefore played a significant role in the safe, dynamic and at the same time comfortable handling of all models of the 169 series. As a further special feature, the suspension offered a new type of damping system as standard, which was used in this form for the first time in automobile engineering. In principle it employed twin-tube gas pressure shock absorbers, which came with selective, amplitude-dependent damping adjustment. Its particular advantage was that it worked purely hydromechanically, without the complex sensors and electronics otherwise necessary, yet it adapted the shock absorber forces to the respective driving situation in a similar way to highly technical systems.
Another central area of focus in the development of the 169 series was the reduction of noise in the interior. To further reduce the already significantly lower noise level of the A-Class vehicles compared to competitors, a number of additional measures were taken. These included a firewall of composite sheet metal as well as bonded metal sheets in three areas of the main floor and the spare wheel well to provide additional, vibration-damping rigidity.
When designing and equipping the interior of the new A-Class models, the developers placed great emphasis on the look and feel of the materials used, so as to match up to the premium claims of Mercedes-Benz in the compact class segment as well. In the same way, the latest ergonomic findings were taken into account with respect to seating position and ease of operation. This also included the then unusual use of a multifunction steering wheel in this vehicle segment, which had already proven itself in other Mercedes-Benz model series. This allowed convenient control of the telephone, radio and central display functions. Also unusual in this vehicle class was the inclusion of an air conditioning system with automatic temperature control and humidity sensor as standard equipment. The THERMOTRONIC automatic air conditioning system was also available as an optional extra, and regulated the interior climate on the basis of sensor data for the temperature, the position of the sun, humidity and pollutant content of the outside air.
The boot capacity of the new A-Class exceeded that of the preceding model by up to 15 %, and set standards in the competitive line-up at 435 litres, particularly with regard to further improved variability concept, which now followed the principle of "reconfiguration rather than removal": without removing the rear seats, the interior could be adapted to the given transport task in just a few steps. Thanks to the 1/3 to 2/3 split-folding rear seat system with foldable seat cushions and backrests, a completely level loading floor could be created. This increased the capacity of the luggage compartment to up to 1370 litres (according to the VDA measurement method). To create even more space for luggage, recreational or sports equipment, the rear seat cushion of the foldable 2/3 section could be removed and stowed under the height-adjustable load compartment floor. In conjunction with the optionally available EASY-VARIO-PLUS system, both rear seat cushions and the rear seat backrests could even be removed from the Saloon. This system also made it possible to fold the backrest of the front passenger seat forward or completely remove the seat. This increased the length of the loading area to 2.75 metres and the capacity to up to 1995 litres.
At the time of market launch in autumn 2004, the gross list prices of the new A-Class Coupé covered a range from 17,632.00 euros for the entry-level model into the Mercedes-Benz world, the petrol-powered A 150, to 24,302.00 euros for the diesel version A 200 CDI. The already announced A 200 Turbo, which only became available from July 2005, was priced at 25,462.00 euros – hardly more expensive than the top diesel model despite its high engine output.
After an exceptionally successful market launch, with more than 200,000 units of the 169 series having already been delivered within a year, the first special model named the "Polar Star " followed in 2006 and was available for both body variants of the new A-Class. The features of the corresponding equipment package were added to those included in the "Classic", "Elegance" and "Avantgarde" lines. The "Polar Star " models were equipped with an "Audio 5" radio with CD player and 6 speakers, cruise control including variable SPEEDTRONIC control, the Exterior Light & Sight Package, a leather steering wheel, silver-edged floor mats with Edition lettering, specially designed seat upholstery materials and a number of Edition-specific trim elements both inside and out. Three different metallic paint finishes and 16-inch light-alloy wheels in a 7-spoke design rounded off the added value of the "Polar Star" models.
In the case of the Saloon, the gross list price ranged from 20,938.00 euros for an A 150 in the "Classic" version to 26,912.00 euros for an A 200 Turbo with "Elegance" or "Avantgarde" equipment. The customer advantage compared to a standard model was up to 800.00 euros, depending on the selected basic equipment.
In the autumn of the following year, the threshold of 500,000 model series 169 vehicles was already reached, and at the same time, with the special "Edition 10" model, Mercedes-Benz highlighted the fact that the A-Class had already been part of the model portfolio for ten years. The "Edition 10" models were enhanced with particularly high-quality and extensive additional equipment. External distinguishing features included 16-inch light-alloy wheels in a 7-twin-spoke design, a matt silver-painted radiator grille with perforated louvres and the panoramic sliding sunroof, which was also included in the Edition package. Metallic paintwork and an Edition plaque in the mirror triangle subtly rounded of the exterior look.
The interior features included seats in a black fabric/leather ARTICO material mix, a leather steering wheel, the "Audio 5" radio with 6 speakers and CD player, velour floor mats with silver edging and embroidered "Edition" logo as well as specially designed aluminium trim in the optional equipment package.
Another unusual highlight of the "Edition 10" was a service contract offered by Mercedes-Benz for 10.00 euros per month, which covered all servicing and repair work and thus made the maintenance costs calculable in a customer-friendly manner.
The special models were available in combination with both the Saloon and Coupé body variants and all engines, with the special equipment package once again supplementing the individual lines. The corresponding gross list price started at 22,431.50 euros for an A 150 in the "Classic" line and ended at 28,589.75 euros for an A 200 Turbo in the "Elegance" version.
Until the major model facelift scheduled for spring 2008, there were no further significant changes to the specifications of the A-Class Limousine. The updated vehicles were first presented to the public at the "Auto Mobil International" (AMI) trade fair in Leipzig in April of that year.
The new A-Class generation had by then been able to meet all expectations in terms of unit sales. Around 540,000 Saloon models alone had left the Mercedes-Benz plant in Rastatt by the time the facelifted versions were introduced, the compact class vehicles enjoying particularly high demand in Germany. The A 180 CDI secured first place in the production statistics with around 180,000 units, followed by the A 150 as the most successful petrol model with around 150,000 units. They were followed by the second petrol-powered A-Class, the A 170, with just under 120,000 Saloon models produced. All other models remained low in the five-digit range. However the powerful A 200 Turbo still fell well behind even this: not even 3,000 units had been produced in the first production cycle from 2005 to 2008.
