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?

[Seeker UK]

Certainly an interesting departure, design-wise, from the current A-class but aren't MB running the risk of losing a whole customer base by going from a compact 5-door sit up and beg city car to that?

Noting it's a concept, I wonder how much will actually translate into the next gen A-class?

[gumsie]

If that's the new A-Class, I'm all over it. Unfortunately it'll struggle to retain 10% of those looks so I'll take the C thanks.
It's a hell of a departure too, but I think it's Ok, I don't reckon traditional Merc buyers drive a A anyway so they wouldn't really be scaring them off.

[infernal]

i was interested until I read traverse mounted engine.. I was sort of hoping they would have put in a chopped down clc chassis, so we could have had RWD, Id have been all over it if that was the case. Shame.

[george h]

I like the looks of that, but it looks massive compared to a current A class, looks like it would make the B class obsolete.

[kambites]

Seems like a step backwards to me. The old A-class was no looker, but it was a very clever design. This is just another boring hatch like all the others.

[renrut]

Looks very Mazda to me. If you put a Mazda badge on it you could easily mistake it for a new MX-3.

[alexmckie]

Bit Alfa ish which is better than mercedes ish I suppose....

[Mr Gear]

kambites said:

Seems like a step backwards to me. The old A-class was no looker, but it was a very clever design. This is just another boring hatch like all the others.

I sort of agree. I think the old A-class didn't need a Mercedes badge to sell. It was a good car for what it did. Mercedes have lost their bottle and are chasing the 1-series customer's money now instead of trying something new and being different.

[W00DY]

infernal said:

i was interested until I read traverse mounted engine.. I was sort of hoping they would have put in a chopped down clc chassis, so we could have had RWD, Id have been all over it if that was the case. Shame.

That is crap.

Really does look like a step back in the hope to appeal to those who want a small car that "looks sporty" with a flash badge.

[Hellbound]

Mr Gear said:

kambites said:

Seems like a step backwards to me. The old A-class was no looker, but it was a very clever design. This is just another boring hatch like all the others.

I sort of agree. I think the old A-class didn't need a Mercedes badge to sell. It was a good car for what it did. Mercedes have lost their bottle and are chasing the 1-series customer's money now instead of trying something new and being different.

Yawn. Haven't we been over this? :|

[Hellbound]

Keep it pillar-less and make an AMG version.

[Mr Gear]

Hellbound said:

Yawn. Haven't we been over this? :

Not as far as I am aware. If you have had this discussion already that isn't my problem.

[nouze]

Mercedes Scirocco, nice

[CliveM]

renrut said:

Looks very Mazda to me. If you put a Mazda badge on it you could easily mistake it for a new MX-3.

My thoughts exactly - at first I thought they'd put in the wrong pictures of the back end!

[ZOLLAR]

Genuinely honest here, when I opened this thread and saw the 1st picture I actually said "Woah".


Mercedes, me like

[carlove]

Am I the only one who thinks it looks like the Lexus CT200?

[Ozzie Osmond]

Just another hatchback.

Clearly started life as the new "Lexus 1-series" concept...

[1000TCR]

Mr Gear said:

Hellbound said:

Yawn. Haven't we been over this? :

Not as far as I am aware. If you have had this discussion already that isn't my problem.

The solution for all those who want the clever design of the old A-Class is to buy the old/new B-Class. They are basically the same. Those who want a 1 Series alike car with a star on the grille go for the new A-Class. I think that was more or less the reached consensous on the topic.

[shantybeater]

renrut said:

Looks very Mazda to me. If you put a Mazda badge on it you could easily mistake it for a new MX-3.

x2!!