Mercedes-Benz A- and B-Class to be offered with 4MATIC

2014 Mercedes-Benz A-Class 13.11.2013

Starting January

Mercedes-Benz has announced the A- and B-Class models will be available with an optional 4MATIC all-wheel drive system starting January 2014.

The all-wheel drive arrangement will be offered in UK for the A 250 4MATIC in both AMG Sport and Engineered by AMG trims, while in the B-Class it will be compatible with the B 220 4MATIC sold in Sport trim. The system can distribute torque between the two axles with help from an electro hydraulically-controlled multi-disc clutch with variable torque distribution that can send as much as 50 percent of the torque to the rear wheels.

The A250 4MATIC begins at 28,985 GBP in the AMG Sport trim and from 30,905 GBP if you select the Engineered by AMG version. The B 220 4MATIC Sport will set you back 28,135 GBP.

In related news, Mercedes-Benz has launched A 180 CDI ECO SE and B 180 CDI ECO SE economical versions in the UK which have CO2 emissions of only 92 g/km for the A model and 98 g/km for the B model. These two will serve as replacements for the current A 180 CDI SE and B 180 CDI SE and will come with several changes such as an aerodynamic grille element, lowered suspension and underbody paneling. They also have manual gearboxes with longer ratios in the high gears, a lighter fuel tank and an upgraded energy recuperation system.

As a result of these changes, the A 180 CDI ECO SE will return 78.5 mpg UK (65.3 mpg US or 3.5 liters / 100 km) while the B 180 CDI ECO SE does 74.3 mpg UK (61.8 mpg US or 3.8 liters / 100 km).

Opt for the A 180 CDI ECO SE and you will have to pay 21,965 GBP or 22,950 GBP if you choose the B 180 CDI ECO SE model.

Additional details can be found in the press release area.