Mercedes-Benz series 168

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Mercedes Benz
Mercedes-Benz A 160 (1997-2001)
Mercedes-Benz A 160 (1997-2001)
Series 168
Sales designation: A class
Production period: 09 / 1997-09 / 2004
Class : Compact class
Body versions : Station wagon
Engines:
Otto engines : 1.4–2.1 liters
(60–103 kW)
Diesel engines :
1.6–1.7 liters
(44–70 kW)
Length: 3575-3776 mm
Width: 1719 mm
Height: 1575-1603 mm
Wheelbase : 2423-2593 mm
Empty weight : 1095-1190 kg
successor Mercedes-Benz series 169
Stars in the Euro NCAP - Crash Test Crash test star 4.svg
Evolution from "NAFA" to "Study A" to the A-Class (from right to left)

The Mercedes-Benz 168 series is a compact car from Mercedes-Benz . The first Mercedes car with front-wheel drive was presented as the A-Class in autumn 1997 . The short version is known internally as the W 168, the long version introduced in spring 2001 as the V 168.

Model history

Prehistory - from concept vehicle to series production

The first development approach for smaller types was the NAFA (local vehicle, nickname "Vesperwägele", 1986). After the invention of the sandwich concept in 1991, study A could be built. Even then, a prototype with an electric drive was developed parallel to the prototype with a combustion engine. Which was presented study A first time at the IAA in September 1993. However, starting from June 1992, the serial production was internally pre-planned and promoted in parallel with the prototype development.

80 and 95 percent of the trade fair visitors surveyed at the IAA 1993 and Tokyo Motor Show 1994, respectively, were in favor of a small Mercedes-Benz of the type of this concept vehicle. This result led the Daimler-Benz board of directors to quickly decide in favor of series production. In August 1994 the first prototype could already be tested under everyday conditions.

The interior concept of the A-Class was presented at the Frankfurt IAA in September 1995. The overall length of the vehicle has now increased by 225 millimeters compared to the study. The available space increased further, especially in the trunk.

The version of the A-Class as an electric car was further developed until 1997. The capacity of the Zebra battery developed together with AEG was 30 kWh and allowed a range of 125 miles or 200 km as well as a (regulated) top speed of 80 mph / 128 km / h. For economic reasons, the version with electric drive was not taken over into series production.

Mercedes officially presented the A-Class at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1997. Two petrol engines with 1.4 l and 1.6 l displacement were available. Sales started eight weeks later in May 1997 and the car was at dealerships in October. Between March and October 1997, the new Mercedes model was presented to the public in 20 European cities at the marketing event known as the “A-Motion-Tour”. This ended on October 15, 1997 at the Rastatt plant , where the model is also manufactured. A total of around 500,000 people saw the “A-Motion Tour” show over 185 days.

Emergence

Mercedes-Benz built previously traditionally only sedans in the luxury class , the upper middle class and, from 1982 to the 190 of the middle class . The main motivation for entering smaller classes was the low growth potential in Mercedes-Benz's traditional market segments. According to Brand Board Member Jürgen Hubbert , the manufacturer was “well on the way to falling into a positioning trap. If we had been satisfied with the small numbers of units in the S-Class (49,996 in 1996), we would have found ourselves in the Rolls-Royce corner; an existential problem for the entire company ”.

In California, the CARB drafted the Clean Air Act and Zero Emission Mandate and passed it into law in 1990. It should force the automobile manufacturers to gradually introduce zero-emission automobiles. California, as the most populous state in the USA and one of the largest sales markets for automobiles worldwide, put pressure on manufacturers. This not only led to the development and production of the General Motors EV1 , but also influenced the vehicle developments of all major automobile manufacturers. The drive variant with an electric motor was therefore mainly tested in the USA and is largely unknown in Europe. After the relaxation of the Californian legislation, preparations for series production of the electric version of the A-Class were discontinued for economic reasons.

Other reasons for entering the compact class were the changed traffic conditions compared to previous decades (increasing traffic density in the city centers, lack of parking spaces, long traffic jams) and the associated changed needs of customers, on the other hand the fact that buyers of Mercedes-Benz cars were in Average got older. The reason for this was a very conservative brand image. With the A-Class, a larger proportion of young buyers should be introduced to and retained by the Mercedes-Benz brand. When designing the interior and the vehicle paintwork that was offered, the aim in the first model years was therefore to radiate youthfulness and freshness.

In fact, however, the A-Class became particularly popular with seniors. They appreciate the high seating position and good all-round visibility. Mercedes-Benz adapted to this changed buyer situation.
During the facelift in March 2001, the plastics in the vehicle interior, which looked and felt cheap, were replaced by materials with a higher quality look. In addition, from this point in time - depending on the equipment line - typical Mercedes fine wood applications were also available for the first time. Corresponding modifications have also been made to the controls, the exterior of the vehicle, the available vehicle paintwork and the price list in order to make the product look more dignified overall.

Model development

  • October 18, 1997: Market launch of the A-Class with the A 140 and A 160 engines
  • October 21, 1997: Elk test carried out by a Swedish automobile magazine
  • November 11, 1997: Production stop
  • February 26, 1998: Production resumed
  • August 1998: Introduction of the A 160 CDI and A 170 CDI engines
  • May 1999: Introduction of the A 190 engine
  • September 2000: minor facelift, modification of the handle on the tailgate
  • March 2001: major facelift; New in the range: the "extended" A-Class (V 168), the additional length of 170 mm is only used by rear passengers.

Launch problems

The 168 series became known through the so-called moose test , a non-standardized lane change driving maneuver at approx. 65 km / h, which until then was only common in vehicle tests in Sweden. During one such test of the 168 series by a Swedish auto journalist, three days after the official vehicle presentation, the vehicle tipped over on its side. First, those responsible at Daimler-Benz AG downplayed the incident and promised to equip previously produced vehicles with different tires and to equip future vehicles with an electronic stability program ESP . Shortly afterwards, however, it was decided to stop sales and retrofitted all vehicles built so far with ESP and modified chassis.

The moose test earned the A-Class nicknames like “Elch Class” or “Purzel”, but also a lot of ridicule. Most common in the vernacular was the term “smallest tipper in the world” or that Mercedes was dubbed a “two-wheeler factory”. The interim storage facility for the vehicles that had not yet been converted was located in Kippenheim in Baden , which further fueled the irony.

The reason for the failure in the elk test were the 65 mm tires with their flexible flanks together with the soft suspension setup. The tires were changed from 175 / 65R15 to 195 / 50R15, with a thicker casing and slightly harder springs and shock absorbers.

In 2019 it became known that the tilting of the A-Class “during the moose test because of the high center of gravity” was also due to “that the vehicle had an underbody to accommodate such a [new type of ceramic] battery. However, due to technical problems and the high price at the time, it remained empty. ”Originally, an electric drive variant with a Zebra battery was planned .

Motorization

Petrol engines

The transversely installed petrol engine M 166 is an inline four-cylinder with eight valves and an overhead camshaft (OHC) driven by a timing chain . The cylinder head and cylinder block are cast from light metal and the crankshaft has five bearings. The fuel injection is electronically controlled. The engine was available in the displacement variants 1397 cm³, 1598 cm³, 1898 cm³ (from 1999), and 2084 cm³ (from 2002).

Diesel engines

The OM 668 diesel engine , also with four cylinders in line and across, has common rail injection and is equipped with a turbocharger and an intercooler . With a bore of 80 mm and a stroke of 84 mm, this results in a displacement of 1689 cm³. The common rail direct injection works with a pressure of 1350 bar. The engine has 16 valves and two overhead camshafts (DOHC) driven by a timing chain . The compression is 19: 1. The turbocharger has a wastegate control .

The engine was available in four variants, all of which had the same mechanical structure:

The variant with engine code 668.940 (A 170 CDI up to 2001) is the original version. The 668.941 variant (A 160 CDI up to 2001) does less because the intercooler is missing.

The facelift variants 668.942 (A 170 CDI from 2001) and 668.940 red. (A 160 CDI from 2001) have a slightly higher engine output, due to a modified camshaft and a modified exhaust gas turbine. The torque has remained the same at 160 Nm for the A 160 CDI and 150 Nm for the A 170 CDI, but the new engines provide this over a larger speed range:

  • For the A 160 CDI before 2001: 160 Nm at 1500–2400 rpm; after 2001: 160 Nm at 1500-2800 rpm.
  • For the A 170 CDI before 2001: 180 Nm at 1600–3200 rpm; after 2001: 180 Nm at 1600–3600 rpm.

The facelift variant 668.940 red. (A 160 CDI from 2001) now also has an intercooler.

A longer gear ratio was used in the A 160 CDI, so that the engine speed level and thus the fuel consumption were lower overall than in the A 170 CDI.

Technical specifications

Saloon (W 168)

model construction time Model Engine designation Engine code Displacement power Torque
Petrol engines
A 140 1997-2004 168.031 M 166 E 14 166,940 1397 cc 60 kW (82 PS) at 5000 rpm 130 Nm at 3750 rpm
A 140 (automatic) 2000-2004 168.031 M 166 E 16 red. 166.960 red. 1598 cc 60 kW (82 PS) at 5000 rpm 140 Nm at 2500 rpm
A 160 1997-2004 168.033 M 166 E 16 166.960 1598 cc 75 kW (102 PS) at 5250 rpm 150 Nm at 4000 rpm
A 190 1999-2004 168.032 M 166 E 19 166,990 1898 cc 92 kW (125 PS) at 5500 rpm 180 Nm at 4000 rpm
A 210 evolution 2002-2004 168.035 M 166 E 21 166.995 2084 cc 103 kW (140 PS) at 5500 rpm 205 Nm at 4000 rpm
Diesel engines
A 160 CDI 1998-2001 168.007 OM 668 DE 17 A red. 668.941 1689 cc 44 kW (60 PS) at 3600 rpm 160 Nm at 1500-2400 rpm
A 160 CDI (facelift) 2001-2004 168.006 OM 668 DE 17 LA red. 668.940 red. 1689 cc 55 kW (75 PS) at 3600 rpm 160 Nm at 1500-2800 rpm
A 170 CDI 1998-2001 168.008 OM 668 DE 17 LA 668.940 1689 cc 66 kW (90 PS) at 4200 rpm 180 Nm at 1600–3200 rpm
A 170 CDI (facelift) 2001-2004 168.009 OM 668 DE 17 LA 668,942 1689 cc 70 kW (95 PS) at 4200 rpm 180 Nm at 1600–3600 rpm

Long version (V 168)

model construction time Model Engine designation Engine code Displacement power Torque
Petrol engines
A 140 L 2001-2004 168.131 M 166 E 14 166,940 1397 cc 60 kW (82 PS) at 5000 rpm 130 Nm at 3750 rpm
A 140 L (automatic) 2001-2004 168.131 M 166 E 16 red. 166.960 red. 1598 cc 60 kW (82 PS) at 5000 rpm 140 Nm at 2500 rpm
A 160 L 2001-2004 168.133 M 166 E 16 166.960 1598 cc 75 kW (102 PS) at 5250 rpm 150 Nm at 4000 rpm
A 190 L 2001-2004 168.132 M 166 E 19 166,990 1898 cc 92 kW (125 PS) at 5500 rpm 180 Nm at 4000 rpm
A 210 Evolution L 2002-2004 168.135 M 166 E 21 166.995 2084 cc 103 kW (140 PS) at 5500 rpm 205 Nm at 4000 rpm
Diesel engines
A 170 CDI L 2001-2004 168.109 OM 668 DE 17 LA 668,942 1689 cc 70 kW (95 PS) at 4200 rpm 180 Nm at 1600–3600 rpm

alternative drives

drive model construction time Model Engine name power
Electric zebra 1997 168.085 AEG Batteries Zebra 50 kW
Hybrid HyPer 1999 OM 668 DE 17 LA 92 kW (125 PS)
PEMFC Necar 3 1997 Ballard Mark 700 50 kW (68 hp)
Necar 4 1999 Ballard Mark 700 70 kW (95 PS)
Necar 4 Advanced 2000 Ballard Mark 900 75 kW (102 PS)
Necar 5 2000 Ballard Mark 900 75 kW (102 PS)
Necar 5.2 2001 Ballard Mark 901 75 kW (102 PS)
F-Cell 2003 168.186 Ballard Mark 902 65 kW (87 PS)

Remarks:

  • The specified model number corresponds to digits 4 to 9 of the vehicle identification number .
  • Digit 11 of the vehicle identification number is always “J” or (from the millionth A-Class built) “K” for the Mercedes plant in Rastatt .
  • The engine names are encoded as follows: M = engine, OM = oil engine , E = intake manifold / port injection, DE = direct injection, L = charge air cooling, A = exhaust gas turbocharger, red. = reduced performance.
  • When the fully automatic transmission was ordered, the A 140 was equipped with the throttled engine from the A 160.
  • The A 160 CDI was only available with a fully automatic transmission from 2001.
  • The A 160 CDI was not available with an extended wheelbase.
  • The F-Cell was produced as a small series with 60 vehicles.

body

Originally only 3575 mm long, the first version of the A-Class, the W 168, was significantly more compact than other Mercedes-Benz passenger car models. From 2001, a version with a 170 mm longer wheelbase was also offered, which is internally referred to as the V 168. The additional space in the V 168 is fully used by the passengers in the back seat. The extended version can be recognized by the longer rear doors. With the rear bench seat pushed back completely, this vehicle has an interior length of 2005 mm, 27 mm more than the S-Class .

Innovations in the first A-Class included the sandwich construction and the engine arrangement with a sloping front wall facing the passenger cell, through which some of the units (engine, transmission and axles) could be accommodated in a particularly space-saving manner. In the event of a frontal crash, the drive unit dips under the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The A-Class also received an interior variability that was previously not common in this vehicle segment.

Technology and security

The stable floor system consisting of a combination of straight longitudinal and transverse beams was part of the new safety concept. At the front end of the side members was an aluminum front module with two side crash boxes. For the first time in mass production at Mercedes-Benz, plastic was used for the front fenders, which after a minor collision returns to its original shape without the need for repairs or painting. The tailgate was also made of plastic to save weight. The repair-friendly construction of the A-Class not only reduced the repair costs after an accident, but also resulted in a low classification in the comprehensive insurance.

The restraint systems installed as standard, which were specially adapted to the concept of the A-Class with its short deformation paths, also belonged to the passive safety. They included full-size airbags for the driver and front passenger, automatic seat belts that were fitted with belt tensioners on the front and outer rear seats, and seat belt force limiters on the front seats.

The new active service system ASSYST , which continuously analyzes the oil quality in the engine, enabled needs-based maintenance intervals for all A-Class engines, which were adapted to the operating conditions and thus extended to up to 40,000 kilometers.

The chassis of the A-Class was newly developed: At the front, a modified MacPherson strut system was used with struts, wishbones, coil springs, twin-tube gas pressure shock absorbers and a torsion bar stabilizer. The axle components, together with the rack-and-pinion steering gear and the motor-gearbox unit, were mounted on a subframe that was bolted to the body at eight points. The rear wheels were individually suspended on swing arms ( trailing arm axle ) with coil springs, single-tube gas pressure shock absorbers and a torsion bar stabilizer. This axle construction could be arranged below the loading floor without impairing the space in the interior. Shock absorbers and springs are located in an otherwise unusable space at an angle in front of the center of the wheel. The low instantaneous center of this axle construction contributes to the increased tendency to roll. Thanks to the new type of engine arrangement and construction of the front structure, the engine can slide under the passenger compartment in the event of a frontal collision, thus reducing the consequences of an accident for the occupants. Thanks to the sandwich construction, the occupants sit significantly higher than in other vehicles, which is also an advantage in side impact accidents. Disadvantages of the tall structure are strong rolling movements and the high sensitivity to cross winds.

Standard equipment lines

The following three equipment lines were available for the A-Class in 1997:

Classic (basic version)
Elegance (additional equipment features compared to the Classic version)
  • Alloy wheels
  • Radiator grille and exterior mirror housing painted in body color
  • Chrome inserts in the door handles
  • two-tone taillight lenses
  • Chrome strip on unpainted door handles

since MoPf 03.2001:

  • Root wood applications in the interior
  • Door handles painted in body color
Avantgarde (upscale equipment variant)
  • Light alloy wheels with wide tires
  • silver painted radiator grille
  • Exterior mirror housings in body color
  • monochrome rear light glasses

since MoPf 03.2001:

  • Plastic applications in carbon look in the interior
  • Door handles painted in body color (with chrome strips)

Equipment options

A so-called lamella sunroof was available for the first time in the 168 series. This consists of five metal slats, which slide over one another when opened to the rear and, when fully open, reveal a large roof opening extending over the rear. When the roof is closed, the front lamella can be set up for ventilation. Initially there were problems with the leakproofness of the louvre sliding roof.

There was a choice of three transmission variants: manual transmission, automatic transmission and a manual transmission with semi-automatic. Vehicles with semi-automatic transmission do not have the clutch pedal, as the clutch is automatically activated when the gear is changed.

The rear bench seat was removable, and optionally the front passenger seat. As a result, the entire interior, with the exception of the driver's seat, can be used as storage space with a level floor.

Special models

Actually not a special model in the conventional sense, but as the top model of the 168 series, the A 210 Evolution was presented in 2002. In addition to an enlarged M166 engine, it has leather seats , aluminum panels in the interior, the body kit (front & rear apron and side skirts) of the Mercedes tuner AMG , a sports steering wheel , a sports suspension (without lowering), stainless steel sports pedals, wide tires , mirror indicators , new ones 17-inch aluminum wheels , clear-glass headlights , shimmering blue front indicators, a modified radiator grille, two tear-off edges on the rear window and red decorative stripes on the sides. The A 210 is the only model in this series to have two stainless steel tailpipes. Initially, an A 21 AMG with a supercharged engine was planned, but at that time the transmission and clutch of the A-Class could not transmit its higher torque. For this reason, the maximum torque of the A 170 CDI had to be reduced. This is how the A 21 AMG became an A 210 Evolution.

In 1999 the special model "F1 Edition" came onto the market. Limited to 250 units, half was delivered as a Coulthard version , the others as a Häkkinen version. The basic model was the A 160 Elegance, which was upgraded with some special equipment. In addition to the paintwork matching the Formula 1 racing car, there was, among other things, the shift knob from the SLK with identification, AMG wheels and a design leather covering for the interior.

During the entire construction period, special models such as the Classic Fun, Classic Spirit, Classic Style and Picadilly were offered, each of which had integrated a slightly upgraded standard equipment.

Heavily modified A-Class vehicles

At HWA, the 354 hp V6 supercharged engine known from the SLK 32 AMG was used in the vehicle called A 32 Supercharged A-Class. From the outside it is kept relatively inconspicuous. HWA not only built the engine, but also the complete drive technology of the SLK and its braking system in the A-Class, which now had rear-wheel drive. The chassis was also heavily modified and the 5-speed automatic built into the SLK was specially adapted for the A-Class. Because of the longer engine, the dashboard and seats have been moved back. This vehicle should accelerate to 100 km / h in approx. 5 seconds and reach a top speed of 230 km / h. The numbers built vary between one and ten, depending on the source.

AMG took a slightly different route with its A 38 AMG. Two A-190 engines were used in the A-Class. One stayed in its usual place, the other was built under the trunk. The A-Class now had all-wheel drive, but thanks to the sandwich construction, the trunk was almost completely preserved. The rear motor can be switched off. Together they generate 184 kW (250 hp) and deliver 360 Nm of torque. A special automatic clutch ensures the power transmission. The circuit with the H gate was retained. Around 230 km / h are also possible here. The car got a new front apron, a modified chassis and the braking system of the E 55 AMG. Four of them were produced, the first customers also included the McLaren-Mercedes drivers at the time, Häkkinen and Coulthard.

Production numbers

A little more than 1.1 million vehicles of the 168 series were sold worldwide.

successor

The successor model series 169 with a revised design and many technical innovations was presented in September 2004. In March 2005, the T 245 (sales designation B-Class ) appeared, which is often seen as the successor to the long version V 168: The W 169 falls behind the V 168, especially in terms of the size of the footwell in the rear, so that owners of a V 168 often replace their vehicle with a T 245 instead of the W 169. The T 245 is based on the same platform as the 169 series and also has the same engines.

defects

The Dekra Defects Report 2011 for the 168 series shows an above-average number of defects for all driving performance ranges compared to the average of all examined cars in the same class (average values ​​in brackets). Breaking chassis springs, rust (especially on door edges and under rubber seals) and engine damage are common in older models. Typical defects are also worn out rear axle bearings and porous brake hoses.

module 0-50mm 1 50-100 mm 100-150mm
Chassis, steering 5.8% (2.0%) 13.1% (8.0%) 21.5% (16.5%)
Engine, environment 2.4% (2.4%) 5.6% (8.7%) 11.3% (18.2%)
Body, Frame, Interior 1.1% (0.8%) 2.0% (1.8%) 3.6% (3.5%)
Braking system 10.4% (3.7%) 21.7% (11.6%) 28.2% (18.9%)
Electrics, electronics, light 11.0% (5.9%) 21.5% (16.8%) 38.0% (32.6%)
Dekra defects index - - -
1 1 mm = 1000 km

The ADAC breakdown statistics 2007 certify that the A-Class has good breakdown frequency values ​​for vehicles with first registration from 2002 to 2004. Defects frequently include battery problems in all registration years, broken windshield wiper arms (2002/03), malfunctions in engine management (petrol engines up to 2003), defective starters (Gasoline engine until 2003), as well as defective clutches mentioned.

literature

  • Werner Oswald: Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars, Volume 3 + 4, since 1986, Motorbuchverlag, Stuttgart 1987

Individual evidence

  1. Crash test Mercedes-Benz A-Class (1999)
  2. a b c Anja Rother: Crisis Communication in the Automotive Industry. A content analysis study using the example of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class . (PDF; 1.2 MB) Retrieved December 22, 2019 . , Tübingen 2003
  3. Brochure of Daimler-Benz AG, 12/1997: The A-Class Electric Vehicle, Powered by the ZEBRA Battery System PDF brochure, accessed January 23, 2012
  4. Mercedes and the Elk: The perfect embarrassment . In: Welt online , October 21, 2007. Accessed January 23, 2012.
  5. The W168 - Fall, Rise, and End. In: elchfans.de. Retrieved October 4, 2019 .
  6. Manfred Schulze: Store electricity with table salt and nickel . In: VDI-Nachrichten . October 4, 2019, p. 14 (Interview with Michael Stelter, Deputy Director of the Hermsdorf Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems (IKTS)).
  7. Brochure of Daimler-Benz AG, 12/1997: The A-Class Electric Vehicle, Powered by the ZEBRA Battery System PDF brochure, accessed on January 18, 2012.
  8. auto motor sport 22/2002: Runners World ( Memento from October 5, 2015 in the Internet Archive )
  9. AMG weapon: The A38 with 250 HP and 2 engines , on elchfans.de/
  10. Mercedes plant Rastatt celebrates 1.5 million A-Classes . Wiersch Media. December 4, 2006. Retrieved October 25, 2009.
  11. Dekra Deficiency Report 2011 . Dekra eV. 2011. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
  12. ADAC breakdown statistics 2007 . ADAC eV. 2008. Retrieved November 3, 2011.

Web links

Commons : Mercedes-Benz series 168  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files