Mercedes has unveiled its new A-class, complete with a range of petrol and diesel Euro 4 engines and newly developed transmissions – as well as an offer to fly buyers to the German factory to collect their new car at no extra cost.

Prices will range from £13,655 to £19,995 when the new model goes on sale on February 19.

The new A-class will be available for the first time in a five-door and three-door body style. The new entry level A-Class, the A150 Classic starts at £13,655 OTR.

For the first time Mercedes-Benz-developed AUTOTRONIC – a continuously variable transmission – appears in the A-Class as does an all new 6-speed manual gearbox.

The final addition to the A-Class family will be a newly developed 193bhp 2.0-litre turbo-charged petrol engine. This package will be introduced to the UK in autumn 2005.

Engines

The new A-Class models are split into Classic, Classic SE, Elegance SE and Avantgarde SE trimlines.

Customers can upgrade from Classic to Classic SE trim for £300. This option adds air conditioning, front fog lights, Audio 20 radio/CD player and disc storage.

Available on the A-Class for the first time is the COMAND satellite navigation and ‘infotainment’ system, bi-xenon headlights with active cornering lights, Luxury Climate Control and 18-inch AMG alloy wheels.

The COMAND system links together telephone, radio, CD player with DVD based satellite navigation, which covers 16 European countries in detail, via a colour LCD screen. Later in 2005, TMC (Traffic Message Channel) will be available on the new A-Class COMAND system. TMC will use real time traffic reports and divert the user around any trouble spots.

Every new A-Class sold through an authorised Mercedes-Benz Retailer in the UK comes with a three-year unlimited mileage warranty as standard.

With every new A-Class, customers can choose to collect their car from the factory at Rastatt, Germany, for no extra cost. Flights there, overnight accommodation and return travel are all included in the standard delivery charge.

On the road prices