OREANDA-NEWS. January 18, 2013. When choosing a new car, consumers see the "Gelber Engel" as a sort of seal of approval as it doesn't just look at design and image, but also takes into account criteria such as the vehicle's price-performance ratio, functionality, efficiency, safety and eco-friendliness. Around 290,000 readers of the ADAC's Motorwelt magazine as well as users of the club's internet presence took part in this year's vote. All-in-all, 52 cars were up for election, all of which came on to the market in 2012 for the first time. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class beat all of these to the top spot and is thus the favourite car of the Germans, being awarded the "Gelber Engel 2013" by Europe's largest automobile club.

The A-Class impresses with its progressive design. Its exterior demonstrates a particularly independent, sporty character and is complemented by an innovative interior which exudes both class and quality. What's more, the A-Class offers excellent driving dynamics and engines which shine with great performance as well as modern, environmentally-friendly technology. The performance figures range from 80 kW (109 hp) to 155 kW (211 hp). (Fuel consumption, combined cycle: 6,4 - 3,8 l/100km, CO2 emissions, combined: 148 - 98 g/km, energy efficiency class: C-A+)*. The A 180 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Edition with its NEDC consumption of just 3.6 l/100 km and a CO2 value of a mere 92 g/km is the most frugal Mercedes-Benz of all time.

At the same time, the A-Class once again highlights the fact that safety at Mercedes-Benz is not a question of price. Amongst other systems, the COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST radar-based assistance system is fitted as standard. Furthermore, Mercedes-Benz has achieved yet another world first by comprehensively integrating the iPhone® into the vehicle's operating and display concept.

The exceptional position of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class in its segment had incidentally already been agreed upon by readers of AUTO BILD – a specialist magazine with massive circulation figures. The magazine had already voted the compact star the most attractive car in Germany as well as bestowing it the coveted AUTO BILD Design Award 2012.

* The figures are provided in accordance with the German PKW-EnVKV and apply only to the German market. They do not concern an individual vehicle and are not part of the offer; they are provided solely for the purposes of comparison between different types of vehicles.