Benza Mercedes A

 The first generation (W168) was introduced in 1997, the second generation model (W169) appeared in late 2004 & the all-new generation late model W176 launched in late 2012. Launched as a five-door hatchback in 1997, the second generation W169 introduced a three-door hatchback to sit six inches below the five-door. In the markets that the A-Class is or has been sold in, it has represented the entry level model of Mercedes-Benz.



Production of the W168 A-Class began in 1997. Its front engine, front wheel drive layout was quite unusual for Mercedes. To date, about 1.6 million units have been sold worldwide.

One innovation of the W168 was a frontal-impact absorption system called the "Sandwich" (see patents DE4326 9 and DE4400132 in the name of Mercedes-Benz). In the event of a violent frontal impact, the engine and transmission would slide underneath the floor below the pedals rather than entering the passenger compartment.

The W168 became infamous in 1997 after flipping over during the traditional "elk test" performed by the Swedish automobile publication Teknikens Värld. According to the report, the W168 overturned when manoeuvring to avoid the "elk". Mercedes initially denied the problem, but then took the surprising step of recalling all units sold to date (2,600) and suspending distribution until the problem was solved by adding electronic stability control and modifying the suspension.

Mercedes-Benz facelifted the W168 in 2001.

DaimlerChrysler invested EUR 900 million in developing the Rastatt plant where the A-Class is produced, and created 1600 new jobs (for a total of 4700). A further 600 people work on the industrial estate (palatial estates for upper management) at the plant site.

Mercedes-Benz began W168 production on 17 February 1999 at its new Brazilian facility in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais. The Brazilian plant was the company's first factory in South America dedicated to passenger cars, with an investment of USD 840 million and 10,000 employees. The factory initially produced A-Class and C-Class models, assembling them from pieces manufactured in Germany. The target for the cars was regional markets (from Argentina to Mexico) with modifications made to the cars to suit local conditions, like a protection for the motor base. On 15 August 2005 the factory stopped production of A-Class cars.

A160 CDI (1998–2000)    44 kW (60 PS; 59 hp)    1.7L Diesel
A160 CDI (2000)             55 kW (75 PS; 74 hp)    1.7L Diesel
A170 CDI (1998–2000)    66 kW (90 PS; 89 hp)    1.7L Diesel
A170 CDI (2000)             70 kW (95 PS; 94 hp)    1.7L Diesel
A140                                 60 kW (82 PS; 80 hp)    1.4L Petrol
A140 (2000) Automatic only    60 kW (82 PS; 80 hp)    1.6L Petrol
A160                                      75 kW (102 PS; 101 hp)    1.6L Petrol
A190 (2000)                           92 kW (125 PS; 123 hp)    1.9L Petrol
A210 Evo (2000)                    103 kW (140 PS; 138 hp)    2.1L Petrol