MERCEDES is on the attack with its all-new A-Class premium compact car which was the star of its Geneva Motor Show offerings.

The German luxury car maker says its designers and engineers were given a blank canvas when it came to creating this all-new model.

And it certainly is a head-turner with much of its futuristic lines carried over from the concept model seen a couple of years ago.

It won't be in UK showrooms until December but despite a radical upgrade in body style and engineering Mercedes says it will cost the same as the outgoing model starting at around £15,700.

It certainly has a striking and dramatic appearance with tightly defined edges and concave and convex lines and a purposeful front which exudes sportiness with the three-pointed star at the centre of the grille plus daytime running lights.

The interior is completely new with the finest of materials being used for seating and panels.

The instrument panel incorporates five round vents which have a high quality electroplate finish and in the centre is a large multi-purpose screen which houses the navigation system, phone system, music and is even capable of allowing e-mail messages through the internet.

A new engine range, both petrol and diesel, has been scheduled for the new A-Class and for first time a Mercedes-Benz will produce emissions of just 99g of CO per kilometre which means it will avoid road tax.

Petrol engines include 1.6 and 2.0 litres ranges from 115 bhp in the A180 and 156 bhp in the A200 through to 211 bhp in the A250. All have direct injection and turbo charging.

All engines in the new A-Class have a stop/start economy fuel saving system as standard and there is a choice of a new six-speed manual transmission or, as an option, with the 7G-DCT dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Safety and driving assistance features, some which will be optional, include, attention assist, brake hold, hill-start assist, adaptive high beam assist, blind spot and lane keeping, speed limit monitor, parking assist and reversing camera.

Since its launch 15 years ago more than 2.1 million A-Class motors have been sold.

At the Geneva show Mercedes said: "The A now stands for attack," and this is the model which will lead the charge.