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Mercedes A-Class scooped

1:4-scale clay design model reveals striking look of next Mercedes A-Class.

2012 Mercedes A-Class side

By Tom Phillips

25th January 2011

Meet the new Mercedes A-Class! Our spies have scooped pictures of a 1:4-scale clay styling model of the new car ahead of the full-size version’s reveal later this year.

Despite its size, the design model reveals that Mercedes has toned down the current car’s innovative hatchback MPV bodystyle. The model is clearly inspired Mercedes’ BlueZero F-Cell concept (which is the full-size green-gold car hidden by a cover in our pictures).

The clay model shows that the radical LED headlights have been toned down from the concept for the new car, codenamed W176. The striking creases of the concept have been included – the top one which runs back front the top of the front wheelarch, references the new CLS, while the larger, which rises from the sills to the taillights adds interesting shadows, to make the car look more dynamic. 

The entry-level engines will come from Mercedes’ new tie-up with Renault, with the A-Class getting 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre petrols and a 1.6-litre diesel from the French firm. The rest of the all-four-cylinder line-up will be sourced from Mercedes, with the 1.8-litre direct injection petrol and 2.1-litre diesel. 

An A22 AMG is also in the pipeline, using a 270bhp unit. The A-Class will become the second Mercedes model to feature a seven-speed DSG gearbox as standard, after the SLS AMG.

Three and five-door models will come first, with a small SUV to take on the BMW X1 in the pipeline too. UK A-Class models will be front-wheel-drive, with 4Matic four-wheel-drive models being offered in other markets. 

The new A-Class has been designed to appeal to younger buyers. It’ll be cheaper to build than before, thanks to the firm ditching the expensive and complex sandwich floor for a more conventional platform. 

The new B-Class will share the same underpinnings, but will be aimed at buyers of the VW Touran and Ford C-MAX, and offered with five or seven seats.

For an alternative review of the latest Mercedes-Benz A-Class visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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6 Comments

A-Class is B-Class

This is not the A-class, but the B-class (or better, one of the clay proposals for the upcoming B-class). Look for the renderings of the A-class at www.autobild.de. It will be a sleek and sportive hatchback targetting at Gol and Astra

By Netherlands on 25 January, 2011, 5:37pm

Poor Judgement......

Looking at this car....there's nothing that hints it to be dubbed A Class model, the shape is more like an M Class model judging by the size & shape of the model wheels. What is this thing with AE always spreading vague rumours? See the link below and check it against this model

car.http://jalopnik.com/photogallery/ML420CDI/1000929210

AE has good spies i'll give you that!

By kevolution1 on 27 January, 2011, 7:23am

All things to all men....

One of the problems I feel is that the major manufacturers are trying to do everything - small hatch, small SUV, small saloon, small convertible, 4 door coupe etc etc etc. The lesson Jag learnt with the X-Type has been forgotten - if you have too many people running around with your badge then it loses it's exclusivity. Merc might do well to ditch the A altogether, the problem is the emissions regulations which require manufacturers to reduce across the range. Hence the proposal for a mini Aston. There's too much competition in the small car sector. Merc would do better by building a serious premium replacement for the Grand Voyager - there isn't a large luxury MPV with the flexibility of Stow and Go seats on the market - totally untapped.....

By Tony27nine on 27 January, 2011, 7:37am

W245 base goes more basic

The curves sighted could be easily reversed engineered by Ssangyong although China is the world leader in Reverse Engineering while Japan remains in the Copy Here Copy There stage. The A-class is a goner but the B-class has to continue sad to say they are both front-wheeler - born to lose

By judeanauto on 27 January, 2011, 9:18am

I went to the address you posted and I would have to agree with your comment. What happened? Designer's block?

By rome_rod on 27 January, 2011, 11:54am

looks more like a FORD than MERC

Whatever apart from Porsche all german cars need scooping up with the Dog litter..

By liverpool on 16 August, 2011, 8:18pm

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Pictures

2012 Mercedes A-Class side
2012 Mercedes A-Class
2012 Mercedes A-Class rear

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