AMSTERDAM: Mercedes-Benz has officially launched its latest A-Class (W177) and the company touts it to be as youthful and dynamic as ever, but grown-up and comfortable like never before.

The new 'baby merc' is set to rival the compact competition with more luxury and technology and comes in two choices of body styles - hatchback or sedan, and is set to hit European markets in March (about the same time as the Geneva motor show).

For choice, there's going to be four model variants, three engines and two transmissions (six-speed manual or 7G-DCT) and a standard 43-litre or optional 51-litre fuel tank.

The A 200 sets the standard with its M 282 turbocharged 1.4-litre engine producing 163hp and 250Nm of torque, while the M 260 2.0-litre turbocharged mill for tghe A 250 gives out 224hp and 350Nm of torque and the OM 608 1.5-litre turbodiesel for the A 180 d serves 116hp and 260Nm of torque.

Visually, the W177 looks very much status quo, but take a closer look reveals a sharper sloping bonnet, nee grille, newly designed LED headlights and daytime running lights, larger wheel arches and an increase in overall size.

The new W177 now has a 2,729mm (+30mm) wheelbase and measureas in at 4,419mm-long (+127mm), 1,796mm-wide (+16mm) and 1,440mm-tall (+7mm). Only the A 250 is 5mm-taller at 1,445mm.

Inside, the cabin's been completely revamped which features a pair of free-standing instrument panels - the first time a cowl above the cockpit has been omitted, that makes up the Widescreen cockpit with touchscreen operation.

The instrument panels can be made up of two 7.0-inch displays or a combination of a 7.0 and 10.25-inch displays or even two 10.25-inch displays

For safety, the A-Class will be equipped with Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC as part of the Driving Assistance package is able to support the driver in numerous route-specific situations, and predictively and conveniently adjust the speed when approaching bends, junctions or roundabouts. Also on board are Active Emergency Stop Assist and intuitively understandable Active Lane Change Assist.

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