RE: Geneva 2012: Mercedes SL63 AMG and A-class

[ArosaMike]

MonkeyMatt said:

I think that the new A-class is a step back! It would maybe make a good addition but not a suitable replacement. I think a lot of current A-class owners will be disapointed.

I'm sure Mercedes can deal with the dissapointment of 50 customers.

[va1o]

Very radical move with the new A-Class. Seems almost too sporty now. Will be interesting to see what the regular 'SE' spec versions are like and how they price it.

Not sure I like the fact it now as has a Renault 1.6 petrol engine though. Previously it used proper Mercedes engines. Could they not have made a downsized version of the 4-cylinder CGI unit from the C-Class?

[RyanOakley]

I don't know how anyone can say the New A class doesn't look as good as the previous one.

I think it has taken a huge leap in the styling department and i think now the Audi A1 and the BMW 1 series has some serious competition.

Old Vs New

[anonymous-user]

ArosaMike said:

I'm sure Mercedes can deal with the dissapointment of 50 customers.

I see loads of them about! anyone got any ideas on actual sales figures?

[kambites]

va1o said:

Not sure I like the fact it now as has a Renault 1.6 petrol engine though. Previously it used proper Mercedes engines. Could they not have made a downsized version of the 4-cylinder CGI unit from the C-Class?

I'm guessing it wasn't commercially viable to engineer a transverse mounted setup for one car.

[Dr Interceptor]

The new A-Class looks superb... it'll be on my shopping list when the lease on the Fiesta comes to an end.

[MattW]

moskvich427 said:

Not impressed with the new A-Class... seems extremely unremarkable compared to the previous one.

It also reminds of the Volvo C30 for some reason, which is certainly no good thing.

I agree, if that A Class had, had a Volvo badge on the front I would not have questioned it. Perhaps it looks more MB in the metal.

[va1o]

kambites said:

va1o said:

Not sure I like the fact it now as has a Renault 1.6 petrol engine though. Previously it used proper Mercedes engines. Could they not have made a downsized version of the 4-cylinder CGI unit from the C-Class?

I'm guessing it wasn't commercially viable to engineer a transverse mounted setup for one car.

Well they have with the diesel, that's just a downsized version of the OM651 unit that you get in the C-Class and E-Class etc. And its not just one car as the B-Class has the same FWD setup

[kambites]

va1o said:

Well they have with the diesel, that's just a downsized version that you get in the C-Class and E-Class etc. And its not just one car as the B-Class has the same FWD setup

But how many petrols will they sell? I'd guess diesels outsell petrols at least 5:1 in that kind of car.

[va1o]

kambites said:

But how many petrols will they sell? I'd guess diesels outsell petrols at least 5:1 in that kind of car.

Well the A150/ A150 1.5 petrol was by far and away the most popular engine in the current shape model to be fair.

Having dug into it some more, it seems only the A180 will have the Renault engine. The A200 and A250 use the Mercedes M270 petrol engine as used in the latest B180 and B200. All are 1.6 capacity, confusing...

[kambites]

I don't think this is really going to compete in the same market as the old one. What proportion of A3s and 1-series are petrol?

[Dave Hedgehog]

if they bring out a 350bhp 4wd duel clutch version

I am very interested

[Guvernator]

I have say that I think the new A class looks fantastic, a huge improvment over the box on wheels that was it's predecessor. Clever packaging it may have been but it really was an awful shape. Really looking forward to seeing an AMG version of this new one.

As for the SL, it's growing on me, it's just a shame that they had to get rid of that fabulous 6.3 engine to keep the greenies happy. I guess that's progress for you though.

[Goa'uld]

Not as striking a shape as the concept that I saw in Paris at the tail end of last year although I suppose a 3 door does always look better (opening can of possible worms there) although from outside the MB store I did wonder why a new shape Astra was sitting inside...;





Complete with comedy Blue Peter style sticky back plastic brake discs;

[Beefmeister]

Can someone clarify - is the new A-Class FWD or RWD?

Its based around the B-Class platform so i'm guessing FWD. Shame they couldn't modify the C-Class platform to make it smaller and a true 1-Series rival.

[soad]

A-class looks good to me, very nice.

[Dr Interceptor]

Front wheel drive

With a 350bhp 4-wheel drive version to come

http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/new-mercedes-a-...

[BallsOfTitanium]

MonkeyMatt said:

ArosaMike said:

I'm sure Mercedes can deal with the dissapointment of 50 customers.

I see loads of them about! anyone got any ideas on actual sales figures?

500,000 units worldwide

[DS240]

Mercedes has gone in the right direction with this new A classe.

In one big step, it now has a very serious contender in the A3, 1 series, Golf sector.

I think it looks great, and the interior is very nice. Although to match the motorshow model it would probably take a few ticks on the options list.

I see a bit of the volvo thing, but really it does suit the merc badge and follows the direction the concept cars have been going.

It would be a tough choice between the A3 and the A classe now. 1 series styling doesn't do it for me.

[Twincharged]

Article said:

aspirateed

I'll let you off though- at least it didn't say "ass pirated".