Mercedes-Benz A-Class interior revealed

Mercedes-Benz has released the first interior images of its new A-Class, which will make its world debut at Geneva next month.

The interior design was made public as part of Mercedes' announcement of its new iPhone integrated media system, set to feature within the A-Class.

The technology involves hardware called Digital Kit Plus as well as a Digital DriveStyle App, and Mercedes hopes that these inclusions attract a younger generation of drivers, as previewed by Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of Daimler AG at CES 2012.

Much like the Volvo V40, which has been teased in recent weeks, it aims to go head-to-head in the Premium-C-segment market with the Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series.

The new hardware focuses on social media with enhanced connectivity with the driver's iPhone, syncing Facebook and Twitter accounts, email, music, contacts and messages.

A personalized Internet radio recommends playlists according to the driver's previously-played tracks, while Garmin mapping and internet-streamed traffic updates deal with navigation. Like the Siri voice recognition system on the iPhone 4GS, the driver can perform a variety of voice-activated functions handsfree.

The digital media system will cost around $235 and will be offered as an optional extra, as an addition to Mercedes' standard Audio 20 system and as an enhancement of the optional Comand online multimedia system.

Ralf Lamberti, the director of infotainment and telematics at Daimler and the man responsible for developing the system, said the system will be expanded to other smartphone platforms, although with no mention of an estimated date.

DriveStyle will make its debut in the new A-Class, before being rolled out to the B-Class, C-Class and E-Class ranges starting later this year.

By Rufus Thompson