W176 is the internal designation for the third-generation of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, which is a range of 5-door hatchbacks produced by Daimler AG under the Mercedes-Benz brand from July 2012 to May 2018. The model was introduced at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show officially as a subcompact executive / C-segment model for the first time after being a supermini / B-segment for fifteen years. This model does not offer a 3-door model, due to the decreasing popularity of 3-door models and its larger size. The W176 was available in some markets from September 2012. Models in the Japanese market went on sale in January 2013.

The A-Class is generally seen as a sportier and smaller alternative to the more practical and larger B-Class. Additionally, the W176 is the second vehicle to use the global, front-wheel-drive MFA platform (Modular Front Architecture), after the W246 which had arrived in November 2011, and before the C117, which had arrived in January 2013. Unlike the B-Class, which was available in a range of petrol, diesel, battery electric, and fuel cell, the A-Class is available only in petrol and diesel configurations. It is intended to be more dynamic than its predecessor and is focused primarily on younger owners, adopting a more sportier and upmarket design and a lower height.

The design for the third generation of A-Class was based on the 2011 Concept A-Class and was unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatches new level of refinement for its class The facelifted model of the W176 was presented in Q3 2015. Orders for the facelifted model had started in July 2015, and mass production started in September. The facelift had added updated lights, technology, and models. The model was initially built exclusively in Rastatt, however from late 2013 was built in Uusikaupunki, Finland, for specific countries.

Production of the W176 had ended in May 2018. It was replaced by the heavily related W177 which was presented on 2 February 2018, and was later released in May of that year. The new model was available in sedan form for the first time.

History of development The Concept A-Class is a 3-door concept car that previewed the design of the third generation A-Class and was unveiled at the 2011 New York Auto Show.Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class hatches ahead of New York and Shanghai It featured the M270 four-cylinder petrol engine rated at , radar-based collision warning system with adaptive brake assist, and exterior design language from Mercedes-Benz's F800 concept.

In mid-2011, patent images of the W176 were leaked. The structural innovation was made by the chief developers for the body in white and safety at Mercedes-Benz. Jorg Prigl, Mercedes' head of development and design, states "the MFA also gives us the package room to fit a battery pack, fuel cell stack, hydrogen tanks and CNG tanks," stated Prigl. "It will allow us to build either an internal combustion or electrically driven vehicle, as well as a number of body styles." The brand additionally describes the A- and B-Class as "the first cars of the next chapter". The brand had also announced that three initial grades would be available: the "Urban", the "Style," and the range-topping "AMG Sport", and that it would go on sale in September 2012.

The base model as well as the AMG model were both spied in 2012. The spied AMG model had the grille and the logo being covered by a large appendage. It was announced by Mercedes that the AMG A 45 model would feature a straight-four engine with an all-wheel drive powertrain. American magazine Car and Driver had guessed an A 25 AMG model would be available, although this prediction had never came to fruition. A 5-door hatchback, the model belongs to the C-segment category and is collectively referred to as the W176.

By July 2012—a few days before its production start—the W176 had already received 40,000 pre-orders in Europe, even before its September launch. By late August 2012, 50,000 pre-orders had already been made, while by mid-November 90,000 orders had already been made, according to Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche. This number, according to news agency Reuters, is double what the VII VW Golf had received, which was released at around the same time. This makes the A-Class' launch the brand's most successful one of all time.

The official series manufacture of this model began on 17 July 2012 at the Rastatt plant, while it had become available in most countries from September of that year.Mercedes A-Class enters production, utility variant confirmed The MFA platform which the W176 utilizes, was used on the Infiniti Q30 and QX30.

Mercedes-Benz signed an agreement with the Finnish supplier Valmet Automotive to expand A-Class vehicle production, where Valmet would produce more than 100,000 units for Daimler from 2013 through 2016, the agreement was later continued to cover the rest of the production time of the third version which came to an end when production of the fourth version began in 2018. It's predicted that no less than 202,149 of the A-Class W176, B-Class W246, and the CLA C117 have been delivered in the first seven months of 2013, which is a 62.7 per cent raise from 2012. In 2017 Mercedes-Benz signed a new agreement with the Finnish supplier for the fourth version.Daimler Expands Production Capacities for the New Mercedes-Benz A-ClassMercedes-Benz taps Valmet to build new A-Class

During the A-Class production period, former CEO Tim Reuss intended to market the third-generation A-Class in Canada, motivated by the success of the best-selling B-Class, which was unavailable in the United States. The recent free-trade agreement between Canada and the EU was signed in the autumn of 2016; however, there were no initiatives undertaken to implement the UNECE regulations, which ultimately did not take effect.

Production of A-series BlueDirect 4-cylinder engines took place at Mercedes-Benz engine production plant in Kölleda, Germany.

Design and specifications Exterior In terms of length and width, the W176 has grown by and respectively, while its height has lowered by up to and its wheelbase has enlarged by . The production model follows the design of the concept model which Gorden Wagener states "translating the new dynamic style of Mercedes-Benz into the compact class was a challenge that was great fun to tackle". Wagener also states that "no other car in this segment is as progressive as the A-Class" and that "the character lines, in particular on its sides, lend the A-Class structure and terseness." The W176 features the characteristic V-shape and the typical radiator grille with twin slats to either side of the car. The light modules and LEDs behind the headlamp cover glass were designed to create to cue called the "flare effect" for the daytime running lamps and indicators. The roof spoiler hides the aerials of the vehicle, giving the W176 a sportier look, as well as structure to the roof. A line is positioned right in front of the rear wheel arch, which slowly fades away. Its drag coefficient had reached 0.26, down from the 0.31 figure of the previous model. Its drag coefficient is relatively good for the small family hatchback class, in comparison to the 8V Audi A3 and the F20 BMW 1 Series, which both have a 0.32 figure. The center of gravity and seating position were lowered by and respectively. Its lower center of gravity was possible, thanks to the brand's decision to ditch the sandwich construction. For the first time, the A-Class is a available in optional full-LED lamps.

Features and practicality Standard features include: climate control air-conditioning, cruise control with adjustable speed limiter function, automatic windscreen wipers, and automatic headlights. Standard interior luxuries include Nappa leather trim on the steering wheel, multimedia system with a CD player, digital radio, USB input, 8.0-inch colour display, and around six speakers. Other assistance systems include satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity for phone calls and audio streaming. Apple CarPlay is featured and MirrorLink can project the phone's display unto the car's screen.

Safety systems include: reversing camera, parking sensors front and rear, active parking assist, and hill start assist. On the A45, the Sport+ mode replaces the Eco. The model features nine airbags (standard in Australia), electronic stability control, autonomous braking, driver drowsiness detection (Attention Assist), and blind-spot alert. The W176 was also equipped with the Pre-Safe function which is activated by emergency braking, Collision Prevention Assist, which is operated at speeds between , can detect a collision at speeds of between , and can detect stationary objects at up to . The model also features a redesigned electromechanical power steering (EPS) system in which the electric motor of the servo assistance system is located on the steering gear serving as a dual pinion system. The EPS featured systems consisting of: Countersteering, corrective steering, and Active Park Assist. The Euro NCAP tested model had received a rating of five stars.

Like the W246 B-Class which the A-Class shares its platform with, the W176 has MacPherson strut front suspension, while featuring a four-link setup at the rear. The BlueEFFICIENCY is featured on the third-generation A-Class, which is a series of measures which reduce fuel consumption and emissions. These features include: start/stop function which switches off the engine temporarily when the vehicle is stationary, alternator management for regenerative braking, and optimised tyres for rolling resistance which have low energy requirements while driving and also help to reduce fuel consumption. The A 180 BlueEFFICIENCY model was available from launch.

The W176 offers of boot space with seats up, with rear seats down. Seats fold in a 60/40 split. The W176 features a three-spoke multi-function steering wheel, adjustable in both width and height, and three-point seat belts on all seats. Additionally the W176 features a folding rear seat. The A 180 models feature steel 195/65R15 wheels with covers in a 10-hole design, while the A 200 feature steel 205/55R16 wheels with covers in 10-hole design. The high-spec models feature 10-spoke 225/45R17 wheels with light alloy rims.

Trim levels Europe