Tuesday 19th April 2011

Wraps Come Off Mercedes Concept A-Class

Take away the jewellery and you're looking at the next A-class

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Mercedes has taken the wraps off its latest show car, the chunky-looking Concept A-Class, at the Shanghai motor show.

The new car might be billed as a concept, however, but it's likely that a significant proportion of the chunky, fighter-plane-inspired styling will find its way into the next A-class, the car that htis conept is previewing.

Basically, strip away the big wheels and motor show glitz, tone down the interior and you've got the next A-class.

But although the new car will cut a more convention hatchback figure, and drops the innovative 'sandwich' platform construction of the current car, there's plenty of clever technology built in. This includes a new range of turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engines, a dual-clutch transmission and a radar-based collision warning system (a world-first for the class) and adaptive Brake Assist.

More interestingly, the new four-cylinder petrol engine range from the new M270 series (designed specifically for a transverse installation), is topped by a 2.0-litre turbo version developing a fairly impressive 210hp.

[Douglas Arfempty]

Looks lovely, with a certain hint of new 'Rocco to it.

Question is, will we get a manual box and decent handling, or will they target it at those who gain no pleasure from driving, ala old A-Class?