Even the best optimization system is useless if customers don’t accept it. That’s why we offer a solution that truly sets Mercedes-type standards.” You might say that Andreas Francina is the “coach” for the A- and B-Class. The project manager and his team have been responsible for both Mercedes-Benz model series since their respective production launches. What’s more, the team supervises everything from quality assurance and cost control to model updates and adaptations that enable the vehicle to meet specific market requirements the world over.

A 150 BlueEFFICIENCY: Fuel savings with automatic start-stop function

It’s also possible to save on fuel even while immobile, thanks to the “belt-driven starter-generator,” a device that’s included in high-displacement A- and B-Class models such as the Mercedes-Benz A 150 BlueEFFICIENCY and which works as follows: Instead of continuing to needlessly burn fuel when the vehicle comes to a standstill at a red light or in a traffic jam, the start-stop system automatically shuts off the engine after a few seconds. The system then restarts the engine when the vehicle is again set to move – and it does this more rapidly and smoothly than a normal starter would ever be able to. Andreas Francina, project manager for the Mercedes-Benz A- and B-Class, has nothing but praise for the subtle system. “You get used to it very quickly and then never want to do without it again,” he says. The start-stop-system’s intuitive functionality would never have been possible without the knowledge gained from the customer database, which engineers combed through to find the most diverse types of driving situations. “Even the best system is useless if customers don’t accept it,” says Francina. “That’s why we offer a solution that truly sets Mercedes-type standards.” The latter statement also reflects Francina’s belief that automatic engine shutdown in the start-stop feature may soon be as common as turning off the lights when you leave the house.

B-Class 170 NGT BlueEFFICIENCY: Natural gas alternative with a long range

Humans are creatures of habit, which is why you need good arguments to persuade them to do things differently. The Mercedes-Benz B-Class with natural gas drive emits only 135 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer (217 grams per mile) – a major bonus in terms of environmental protection. However, because those who created the vehicle didn’t want to rely on moral persuasion alone, they also decided to make the natural gas drive “bivalent,” which means the compact Mercedes-Benz can also run on conventional fuel in situations where no natural gas filling station is nearby. “This results in a combined range of approximately 1,000 km (600 miles),” says Francina. Drivers simply fill up on natural gas when it’s convenient. And because natural gas is comparatively inexpensive in many countries, drivers can cut their operating costs by up to half.