By Steven D. Gatt, Automotive Editor
The Smallest Mercedes-Benz: A-Class
The new A-Class has the interior size of a mid size car, yet the exterior is only 12 feet long. The double-floor design allows for higher occupant seating position providing for greater visibility and safety in side impact collisions. Being an European only vehicle I have not driven the A-Class and don't expect to anytime soon.
A unique sandwich body structure helps the A-class provide large
car safety for a relatively small vehicle by allowing the engine,
transmission, axles, and fuel tank to be positioned underneath
the passenger cell. As a result, in a frontal collision the drivetrain
slides under the passenger compartment instead of directly into
it, providing a short but effective crumple zone to absorb crash
energy.
Safety equipment includes dual front airbags, side impact beams, front and rear crumple zones and side airbags. The new A-Class from Mercedes-Benz shows what automotive companies can do when they stretch their imagination and start with a clean sheet of paper. Unfortunately, for now Mercedes-Benz has no plans to bring the A-Class to the United States. They did say that it could come to the U.S. around 2003 as a zero-emissions electric vehicle (ZEV).
Mercedes-Benz heats up the U.S. sport-utility market with its
new M-Class
Yet another automotive company has decided to jump into the sport utility foray. This time it is Mercedes-Benz with their new M-Class All-Activity Vehicle. The new M-Class, according to a Mercedes-Benz press release earlier this month, will have more safety features than its competitors, an innovative 4-wheel drive system and sedan-like comfort making it the 'Mercedes' of sport utility vehicles.
While I haven't had the opportunity to drive the M-Class yet, I expect to before the end of the year.
Safety features on the new M-Class SUV include the usual dual front airbags, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes and 4-wheel traction control, but a first for any SUV are the door mounted side airbags.
The new 4 ETS full-time, 4-wheel drive system consists of front,
center and rear differentials and according to Mercedes-Benz,
it can continue moving even if three wheels have lost traction.
The M-Class also offers 4-wheel independent suspension for a more
sedan-like ride. An all-new, lightweight V6 engine has been designed
and will be the initial power plant for the M-Class. Look for
a V8 in about one year.
For more passenger comfort, Mercedes-Benz designed the M-Class with large doors and a long wheelbase. The long wheelbase should provide for excellent rear-seat passenger comfort and cargo space.
The M-Class is designed for off-roading as well with short overhangs for approach and departure angles.
Like most new sport-utility vehicles, the M-Class features a one piece tailgate that opens up. Shortly after production starts, a third row of seats will be available for a total passenger capacity of seven. The second row of seats fold flat individually,in thirds, and the seat can move forward three inches for even more cargo capacity.
According to other published reports, the M-Class is expected to come in at $35,000 about the same price as a loaded Explorer Limited or Grand Cherokee Limited.