Christmas may be over, but the spirit still lives on with some new spy shot gifts. These new images show off two Mercedes A-Class prototypes, one painted in red and one in white, with a little less camouflage than before. With the drop in attire, the new A-Class has revealed new details for the front and rear, as well as a shot of it’s new interior.
The A-Class’ new interior looks very much like the one found on the new B-Class, which would make sense considering the A-Class shares a few features with the B-Class, including its engine lineup. Expect to see a range of five gasoline engines with power ranging from 109 to 204 HP and four diesel models with power ranging from 122 to 204 HP. Previous spy shots have also revealed that Mercedes is working on an AMG version that will be powered by a turbocharged 2.0L four cylinder engine with an output of about 325 HP. A Convertible version is also in the works.
Expect to see the new A-Class launched in early 2012.
Updated 01/20/12: Mercedes has unveiled a first teaser video for the new generation A-Class set to be unveiled in March at the Geneva Motor Show.
After Mercedes unveiled the A-Class Concept last year at the Shanghai Auto Show, people started to talk about a production version, one that included an AMG version for the next A-Class. Now, it turns out that more than just an AMG version of the A-Class will be in Mercedes’ future plans: a convertible A-Class will also be offered where it will take on models like Audi A3 Cabriolet, BMW 1-Series Convertible and Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet.
The announcement was made by Mercedes CEO Dr. Dieter Zetsche during the official presentation of the new B-Class. He said that Mercedes has five new compact cars to offer: the B-Class, A-Class hatch, the upcoming BLK and a baby CLS four-door coupe. The fifth one of course is the A-Class Convertible.
The car will be built on the same front-wheel-drive platform and will be offered with a fabric roof. As for the engine line-up, next to the usual 1.6-liter petrol turbo and 1.8 diesel, Mercedes will be also offering a turbocharged 2.0-liter petrol engine with an output of about 200 HP while an AMG version will be offered with a twin-turbo 2.0-liter engine and 350 HP.
The new Mercedes A-Class Convertible will be launched sometime in 2014.
Mercedes has gone to great lengths to improve their washed up hatchback model and although we are still waiting for the debut of the next generation A-Class, our spy photographers have already captured images of what looks to be its AMG version. This car is no SLK55 AMG, but certain AMG modifications have found their way to the compact A-Class to make it bigger and better.
These images give way to typical AMG enhancements that help the vehicle deal with the increase in power. The larger wheels and brakes stick out like a sore thumb, as do the bigger air intakes and bigger exhaust. Whether there will be a duo pipe or quad layout is still up in the air, but our spy photographers say this AMG model sounds much better than the normal A-Class prototypes they have seen.
So, why all of the added AMG accessories? The A-Class AMG, or A25 AMG as speculated by fellow journalists, is expected to get between 320 HP and 350 HP. This power will be sent to all four wheels by a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Engine specifications have yet to be revealed, but power may come from a turbocharged 2.0L BlueEFFICIENCY four cylinder engine.
The prototype caught testing was shaking it up with a Volkswagen Golf R so the competition is clearly stated. In addition to the V-Dub, the Mercedes A-Class AMG should do battle with the Audi RS3 and the BMW 1-series M Coupe.
UPDATE 09/01/2011: Check out our new rendering of the Mercedes A-Class AMG!
Mercedes has already previewed the next generation A-Class with the concept version, and as the concept shows, the next A-Class has nothing in common with the model it replaces. The A-Class has been called outdated, unimpressive, and even ugly, but Mercedes hopes the next generation will change all of that.
This new generation A-Class heads straight for the BMW 1-Series and the Audi A3 in terms of its compact shape which it will take directly from the concept. It will drop the current box design and will be offered in both hatchback - to be revealed first - and sedan versions. Rumors suggest that Mercedes will also bring a three door hatch, as well as a convertible version.
As for the engine line-up, it is rumored that the next A-Class will be offered with the same engines as the C-Class. This would mean an array of both petrol and diesel engines ranging from 120 to 306 HP. An AMG version will also be offered.
Expect the new A-Class to be revealed in early 2012 with sales beginning shortly thereafter.
Just when there were doubts about the future of Mercedes’ A-Class, the German automaker comes out and releases what is arguably the hottest looking hatchback concept we’ve seen in a while.
This is the Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class, and oh dear Lord, does it look mighty divine. We can’t get enough of the concept’s overall design, especially that sharp as a tack, starry, starry night-inspired grille. Of course, we don’t expect each and every element of the Concept A-Class to make it to the production version, but at the very least, we know the direction Mercedes is taking with their hatch-segment models.
Yeah, no more of those box-shaped, minivan-looking cars whose only redeeming value was that it had the brand’s tri-star logo on it. But the new Concept A-Class really is something else. it’s got edge, it’s got attitude, and it’s got class.
UPDATE 04/20/2011: Car and Driver had their way with Mercedes and ended up coaxing some wonderful news coming out of the New York Auto Show. The Mercedes Concept A-Class is indeed headed to the production line and it will also find its way over to the States. Sweet!
UPDATE 09/08/11: The Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class is getting some serious technological juice courtesy of a range of new connectivity functions, including Twitter and Facebook integration, text-to-speech translation of email messages and status updates. The whole concept may still be year’s from being produced commercially, but it does give us an idea on what the future Mercedes infotainment system is going to look like. Check out the video to find out more about the Concept A-Class’ fancy new digs.
UPDATE 10/15/11:Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes in the building of a concept car, especially one that packs all the technology that comes with a concept like the Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class? Well, you won’t need to wonder anymore because the German automaker has released a video detailing exactly how the whole deal goes down. Check it out by clicking the photo above.
Details on the Concept A-Class after the jump.
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