Mercedes-Benz can be credited with inventing several niches in the auto market recently, most notably with the CLS and CLA four-door coupes (and their Shooting Brake/wagon variants). However, the German firm fell behind the competition in the smaller sedan market. While Audi has been selling the A3 Sedan since 2013 and BMW recently introduced the 1 Series Sedan in China, Stuttgart has yet to launch a similar offering. But, this will end soon and the Concept A Sedan that Mercedes unveiled at the 2017 Shanghai Auto Show proves that a four-door smaller than the CLA is in the works.

As you might have already guessed from the name, the Concept A Sedan previews a sedan version of the familiar A-Class. However, the production model won't arrive until the fourth-generation hatchback is launched, which should happen in a couple of years. Although Mercedes-Benz didn't actually confirm the A-Class sedan, the concept is described as "an outlook of the next generation of compact vehicles and a potential new body type." Take this statement and the fact that both Audi, and BMW have cars in this segment, and the A-Class sedan is pretty certain to happen.

As with all concepts, the Concept A Sedan is rather futuristic compared to the current-generation A-Class. While the front bumper and grille are very familiar, the styling is decidedly sportier and has an AMG-GT vibe to it. In the company's own words, the concept "shows that the time of creases is over" and is "the next milestone of ’Sensual Purity’ and has the potential to introduce a new design era."

All told, the show car could very well preview the design of the upcoming A-Class hatchback before finding its way onto the production sedan. On the other hand, I wouldn't bet on them being as aggressive as the concept. I also don't expect the UV-treated headlamps, which "glow" in different colors depending on light, to become a production feature.

However, Mercedes gives us a few hints as to how large this compact sedan will be. At 179.9 inches long and 73.6 inches wide, it's almost 11 inches longer and 3.5 inches wider than the current A-Class sedan. Compared to the CLA, it's only three inches shorter, but 3.5 inches wider. As expected, it slots right below the CLA, but the production model will probably be a bit shorter than the concept. On the other hand, a similar length could work as the CLA is marketed as a four-door coupe, while the A-Class sedan will be sold as a conventional four-door.

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Why it Matters

Granted, it's a bit too early to draw a proper conclusion of the production model, but it seems that Mercedes-Benz has put a lot of work into this concept car and this makes the A-Class sedan a certainty. A good decision if you ask me with the A3 Sedan already available globally. There is a possibility that the A-Class four-door will be offered in China only, just like the 1 Series Sedan, but Audi's success in this niche could prompt BMW and Mercedes-Benz to consider both Europe and the United States. After all, Merc already offers five compact vehicles (A- and B-Class, CLA and CLA Shooting Brake, and GLA crossover), and the A-Class sedan would round out an affordable, yet family-friendly lineup. You can't go wrong with that.