To be released in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2019, the Mercedes-AMG V177 A 35 4MATIC Saloon is a compact sedan. Commencing production in mid-2019, the all-wheel drive Mercedes-AMG V177 A 35 Saloon will be powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that is mated to a seven-speed double clutch transmission.
Mercedes-AMG V177 A 35 Saloon: M260 engine
The 1991 cc M260 engine for the Mercedes-AMG V177 A 35 Saloon features an aluminium crankcase, ‘ConicShape’ cylinder honing to reduce internal friction, an aluminium-silicon alloy cylinder head with chain-driven double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder actuated via roller cam followers, variable intake valve lift (‘Camtronic’), variable intake and exhaust valve timing, direct injection via piezo injectors, a twin-scroll turbocharger and multi-spark ignition. To eliminate fuel consumption when the vehicle is stationary in traffic, the M260 engine for the Mercedes-AMG V177 A 35 has an ECO start/stop function, though this is disabled in Sport and Sport+ drive modes.
The Mercedes-AMG V177 A 35 can accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. Over the combined NEDC test cycle, fuel consumption is 7.3 litres per 100 km.
Mercedes-AMG V177 A 35 Saloon: AMG Speedshift DCT
For the Mercedes-AMG V177 A 35 Saloon, the seven-speed double clutch transmission (DCT) has:
A Race-Start function;
A Temporary ‘M’ (manual) mode that can be activated by operating the steering wheel shift paddles in any driving mode; and,
For the Sport+ drive mode, double-declutching during downshifts and partial cylinder cut-off via a brief and precisely defined retardation of ignition and injection at full load.
Specifications: Mercedes-AMG V177 A 35 4MATIC Saloon
The ‘4MATIC’ all-wheel drive system for the Mercedes-AMG V177 A 35 Saloon includes:
A power take-off unit to the rear axle that is integrated into the dual clutch transmission; and,
A multi-plate clutch that is integrated into the rear axle differential and electro-mechanically controlled (previously electro-hydraulically actuated).
In normal conditions, the engine’s torque is directed to the front wheels for maximum fuel efficiency. If, however, driver behaviour and conditions are such all-wheel drive is determined to be desirable (such as an actual or expected loss of traction), then the electric motor exerts an axial force on the clutch pack – via a crown wheel and a ball ramp – to close the clutch plates so that 50 per cent of the engine’s torque is directed to the rear wheels (i.e. a 50:50 front:rear torque distribution). Factors which determine torque distribution include driving speed, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, steering angle, the difference in the rotational speed between individual wheels, gear selected and accelerator position. The advantages of this control system are:
Non- rpm-dependent operation across the entire actuation range;
Pilot control of the clutch while stationary; and,
Higher efficiency due to the ball ramp concept.
Furthermore, the rear axle differential compensates the different paths/rotational speeds of the rear wheels.
As part of the electronic stability control system, slight braking pressure would be applied to the inside rear wheel during ‘dynamic cornering’ to generate yaw about the vertical axis and reduce understeer.
Body and dimensions
The Mercedes-AMG V177 A 35 Saloon is underpinned by Mercedes-Benz’s MFA2 compact car platform. Although dimensions have not been officially announced, the V177 A 35 Saloon is understood to be approximately 4549 mm long, 1796 mm wide, 1454 mm tall and have a 2729 mm long wheelbase. Boot space is 420 litres.
Compared to the Mercedes-Benz W177 A-Class , however, changes for the Mercedes-AMG W177 A 35 are understood to include:
A ‘shear panel’ (a bolted aluminium plate under the engine to increase the torsional stiffness of the front section); and,
Two additional diagonal braces at the front of the underbody to reduce torsion and increase stiffness.
Suspension
The Mercedes-AMG V177 A 35 Saloon has MacPherson strut front suspension with a single aluminium wishbone below each wheel centre. According to Mercedes, the ‘special axle geometry’ reduces the influence of the drive on the steering. Furthermore, the AMG-specific front steering knuckle has a radially bolted brake calliper. At the rear, the four-link rear axle (three transverse arms and a trailing arm) is connected rigidly to the body via a sub-frame.
As an option, the Mercedes-AMG V177 A 35 Saloon can be specified with an ‘Adaptive Damping System’ whereby a valve in each of the four shock absorbers is electronically actuated to control oil flow and, therefore, damping characteristics. The Adaptive Damping System also enables the driver to select from three different suspension control modes. The system operates fully automatically, adapting the damping forces for each wheel according to the driving situation and road conditions.
Steering
The Mercedes-AMG V177 A 35 has rack-and-pinion steering with electric power assistance and a variable steering ratio. According to Mercedes, the rigid mounting in the integral carrier better connects the steering to the body for greater steering precision.
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Mercedes-AMG V177 A 35 Saloon includes dual front airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, front seat thorax-pelvis side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters.
The Mercedes-AMG V177 A 35 Saloon is equipped with camera and radar systems that can perceive up to 500 metres ahead of the vehicle. Fitted as standard, Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function can mitigate the consequences of collisions with vehicles or pedestrians in front of the vehicle. If a collision risk is detected, the system initially issues a visual warning. If there is a serious risk of collision, the driver receives an additional, audible warning and the required brake pressure to prevent a collision is calculated (if possible) so that it can be applied when the driver depresses the brake pedal. If the driver fails to respond, however, Active Brake Assist initiates autonomous emergency braking to mitigate or prevent the collision.
Other active safety technologies for the Mercedes-AMG V177 A 35 Saloon include:
Active Emergency Stop Assist: if it is detected that the driver is no longer actively driving the vehicle while it is moving, Active Emergency Stop Assist brings the vehicle to rest within its lane. If there is no steering wheel movement over a longer period when Active Steering Assist (see below)) is active, the system issues visual and audible prompts for the driver to place their hands on the steering wheel. If the driver fails to respond, vehicle speed is reduced until it is stationary. At speeds below 60 km/h, following traffic is warned by the hazard warning lamps; Active Distance Assist Distronic with Active Steering Assist: operating at speeds up to 210 km/h, the system can maintain a pre-set distance to the vehicle ahead. A stop-and-go function also enables the vehicle to be braked until stationary, remain stationary for up to 30 seconds and then accelerate when the traffic ahead starts moving. Active Distance Assist Distronic also combines navigation data with camera/radar inputs to conveniently adjust speed when approaching bends, junctions or roundabouts. Active Steering Assist helps the driver in keeping the vehicle in the centre of its lane by applying steering wheel torque. Active Steering Assist uses the lane markings for orientation at speeds up to 210 km/h and, at speeds up to 130 km/h, also uses the position of vehicles ahead;
Evasive Steering Assist: operating at speeds from 20-70 km/h, Evasive Steering Assist can help the driver avoid a pedestrian that is detected by the radar sensors and stereo camera. If the driver initiates an evasive manoeuvre by turning the steering wheel, the system provides ‘precisely calculated steering torque to support the movement of the steering wheel’ to avoid the pedestrian and then straighten the vehicle;
Active Lane Change Assist: operating at speeds from 80 km/h to 180 km/h, Active Lane Change Assist can perform lane changes – within 10 seconds – in response to the driver nudging the indicator stalk;
Active Lane Keeping Assist: operating at speeds from 60 km/h to 200 km/h, Active Lane Keeping Assist warns the driver if the vehicle is unintentionally drifting out of its lane via pulsed vibrations through the steering wheel. If the vehicle passes over a continuous line, the system can pull the vehicle back into its lane by applying the brakes on one side of the vehicle. In the case of a broken line, such intervention takes place only when there is a collision risk with a vehicle in the adjacent lane (including oncoming traffic);
Active Blind Spot Assist: at speeds from 12 km/h to 200 km/h, the system can provide a visual alert and audible alarm if there is a risk of a side collision when the turn indicator is actuated. As part of the Driving Assistance Package, the brakes on one side of the vehicle can be applied when travelling at speeds above 30 km/h to avoid a side collision. Furthermore, Active Blind Spot Assist can issue a visual warning in the door mirror when the vehicle is stationary and up to three minutes after the ignition has been turned off to warn of an approaching vehicle or bicycle (providing it is exceeding 2 m/s). If the driver uses the door handle at this moment, an additional acoustic warning is issued;
Pre-Safe Plus: uses the rear radar sensors to detect if a rear-end collision is imminent and, if so, flashes the rear hazard lights and prepares occupant protection measures such as the seatbelt tensioners. If the vehicle is stationary and the risk of a collision persists, the system can apply the brakes of the vehicle to reduce the risk of injuries by reducing the forward jolt caused by an impact from the rear;
Attention Assist: monitors driver behaviour for signs of fatigue and, if detected, issues visual and audible warnings; and,
Traffic Sign Assist: uses navigation data and image recognition to display – in the instrument cluster – the maximum permitted speed, restrictions on overtaking and pedestrian warnings near ‘zebra’ crossings. Traffic Sign Assist also has an extended wrong-way warning, while the detection of stop signs has been combined with the ECO start/stop function so that the engine remains on. Active Speed Limit Assist is a sub-function of Traffic Sign Assist that uses the forward-facing camera to recognise sign gantries and road works signs to set the vehicle’s maximum speed.
The Mercedes-AMG V177 A 35 Saloon has an ‘active bonnet’ which, in the event of a pedestrian collision, deploys pyrotechnical actuators to raise the height of the bonnet by around 80 mm to create additional clearance between the bonnet and components in the engine bay to reduce the risk of pedestrian injury.
Brakes
The Mercedes-AMG V177 A 35 Saloon has 350 mm front brake discs with four-piston monoblock fixed callipers and 330 mm rear discs with single piston sliding callipers. The front and rear discs are internally ventilated and perforated to better dissipate heat.
Features: Mercedes-AMG V177 A 35 Saloon
The Mercedes-AMG V177 A 35 Saloon features the ‘Mercedes-Benz User Experience’ (MBUX) multimedia system which includes two 10.25-inch displays – for a fully digital instrument display and a central touchscreen – which share glass cover and form a ‘Widescreen Cockpit’.
Inside, the Mercedes-AMG V177 A 35 Saloon has:
Seat covers in ‘Artico’ synthetic leather and ‘Dinamica’ micro-fibre;
A steering wheel rim with a flattened lower section, perforated leather in the grip area, red contrasting top-stitching and ‘Touch Control’ buttons which can be used to select the displays of the instrument cluster and the multimedia system through horizontal and vertical swiping gestures; and,
Galvanised steering wheel gearshift paddles. As an option, the steering wheel can be equipped with a round controller that has an integrated display beneath the right-hand steering-wheel spoke, and two vertically positioned colour display buttons with switches beneath the left-hand steering-wheel spoke.
Further information regarding the Mercedes-AMG V177 A 35 Saloon will be available closer to launch.
