Mercedes 2012 Annual Report Download - page 37

The best or nothing: Thanks to its unique emotional appeal, the
A-Class is rapidly acquiring more and more admirers. In particu-
lar, this small Mercedes-Benz is thrilling new young customers.
It is fulfilling their desire for sporty yet elegant driving pleasure
by offering a broad range of engines, a dynamic handling pack-
age, and two sports models with top-performance engines. The
A-Class chassis effortlessly delivers maximum agility and the
sense of security that is typical of the brand.
Like every new Mercedes-Benz, the A-Class defines new
technical benchmarks in its segment. It combines pure driving
pleasure with exemplary efficiency and safety. With up to 28%
lower fuel consumption, low emission values starting at 92
grams of CO2 per kilometer, its best-in-class cd values starting
at 0.26, and compliance with the EURO 6 emissions standard
for all of its gasoline engines, the A-Class gets top marks for
environmental friendliness. E see pages 164 f
A car as fascinating as this creates its own economic boom.
Even before the official start of sales, readers of Auto Bild
magazine named the new A-Class “Germany’s most beautiful
car.” The model’s market launch was also outstanding. The
A-Class effortlessly collected additional German and interna-
tional awards, such as the “Yellow Angel 2013” prize from the
ADAC, which is presented to Germany’s favorite car. In order
to keep up with the enormous demand, the Mercedes-Benz
plant in Rastatt has hired 500 additional employees working
in three shifts to produce the new model. We are creating
additional capacity for A-Class production by commissioning
the Finnish production specialist Valmet.
Sports-car seats and “Cool Touch” surfaces, a beautifully designed instrument panel and air
vents reminiscent of jet engines characterize the young and sporty interior of the A-Class.
The new A-Class is a real eyecatcher. This compact sports car
is the right product at the right time — and it’s already making
a big splash in the market.
“If you were to get into the new A-Class
with your eyes shut and then open them,
you’d never think you were sitting in a
compact car.”
Jan Kaul, designer of the A-Class interior, Sindelfingen
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