A-Class 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class spy shots and rumors

[Mr. Mercedes]

I do not think that a class sedan will cost more than cla

Neither. I think the CLA will be more premium than the A-sedan.

MB Needs a CLC (4 door C coupe) ASAP.

 

[Wolfgang]

I do not think that a class sedan will cost more than cla

Neither. I think the CLA will be more premium than the A-sedan.

MB Needs a CLC (4 door C coupe) ASAP.

Yes, the new generation CLA Coupe could zoom upwards, once the alleged A-Class Sedan/Limo arrives? Presently the CLA Coupe starts at an affordable $32,400 in the USA.

View attachment 393302

 

[Monster]

Yes, the new generation CLA Coupe could zoom upwards, once the alleged A-Class Sedan/Limo arrives? Presently the CLA Coupe starts at an affordable $32,400 in the USA.

View attachment 393302

I don't see there is much room between the CLA and the C class. Currently the CLA is only about $3000 to $5000 cheaper than the C class equivalent, in some cases the C class is actually cheaper because of the surprisingly strong demand of the CLA.

 

[Wolfgang]

Mercedes-A45 AMG replacement set to breach 400bhp

German firm's next hot hatchback will take power outputs to new levels for the class

The never-ending German horse power race is set to continue with Mercedes' next generation A45 AMG.

Speaking to our sister title Auto Express, boss of Mercedes in-house skunkworks AMG, Tobias Moers, has revealed the replacement for the range-topping A-class will see power eclipse 400bhp. This will return bragging rights to Stuttgart after Audi announced its 394bhp RS3 at the Paris Motor show.

The third generation A-class is set to hit showroom floors in the latter half of 2017, so the AMG derivative will likely follow in 2018.

According to Moers, there was no further headway to be made with the present engine beyond its current 376bhp guise, with temperature management the limiting parameter prohibiting further development of the M133 engine. So, the four-cylinder, two-litre, twin-scroll turbocharged powerplant will be ditched in favour of a new motor. 'For sure, the limiting factor is the heat management in the cylinder head, so we’re not moving forward with that engine any more.'

Engineers have started work on a 'blank piece of paper', concocting a brand new, ground-up design for the supplanting engine. As with the current super hatch, power is expected to be deployed via a dual-clutch transmission, driving four wheels, courtesy of an AMG-tweaked Mercedes 4MATIC system. That combination would not only adorn the A45 with 400bhp-plus, but also give it a fighting chance of being the first hatch to crack 0-60mph in under four seconds.

Such impressive performance will likely command a considerable price, with the next generation likely to cost from around £45,000. There are rumours Mercedes will fill the gap between the flagship A-class and quickest non-AMG model, at present the A250 4MATIC, with a tamer AMG version. This would mimic the firm's approach of late, introducing '43'-badged deputies to the full-bore AMG models as seen with the GLC, C-class and E-class models.

http://www.evo.co.uk/mercedes/a45-amg/18659/mercedes-a45-amg-replacement-set-to-breach-400bhp

 

[WAND]

Hope it will have this tail lights

 

[SKY]

I think Autobild render offers a good indication of how the real deal will end up looking like.

Hopefully with the AMG pack it will look good. And, most importantly, it better have a decent interior this time around.

 

[klier]

Hope it will have this tail lights

Audi A3 lights

 

[Rolf]

They need to make it a better allrounder with more space and comfort together with a better driving chassis

 

[tennmb]

I don't see there is much room between the CLA and the C class. Currently the CLA is only about $3000 to $5000 cheaper than the C class equivalent, in some cases the C class is actually cheaper because of the surprisingly strong demand of the CLA.

Not in the US. The CLA is an unmitigated disaster. And, the CLA is not a significant savings over the C, which is so far superior in terms of size, materials and quality.

 

[Monster]

Not in the US. The CLA is an unmitigated disaster. And, the CLA is not a significant savings over the C, which is so far superior in terms of size, materials and quality.

Interesting for that info, is the sales really that bad? The CLA is running red hot still in Australia, they are still flying out of the showroom.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

^Yup! Every 2nd 25-40 year old looking for a 'sporty' Mercedes/BMW/Audi is buying a CLA250 or CLA45, despite the obvious shortcomings of the product. For most of these buyers it's their first new 'premium' branded vehicle and they don't know what they really should be expecting for their $ at this price point. They are sold by the badge and the style. To them the interior has 'flair' and the cheap plastics are easily overlooked. They couldn't give a damn about ride quality either. What's more important are the bangs and pops when the car is in sports mode.

I have 3 friends driving CLA250's, and the above summary explains their purchase decisions to a tee. I

 

[PHYBENZ]

I've got a CLA250. Leased it for three years, my lease is up in less than 6 months. I got it fully loaded with brown leather, pano, command, dark wood trim, the works which totaled about 43K. When spec'd out like this, interior-wise is actually quite nice because of the stitching on the doors and dash and wherever there is hard plastic, it at least doesn't have the hollow sound. The ride though is too rough for an MB, and now with 26K miles, the thing rattles from every direction over bumps or uneven surfaces. I see them everywhere so not sure sales-wise if they are not doing well, but I will def be upgrading to a C when my lease is up. I will say this, the a pillar trim on the CLA is much is nicer than the C, the material used on the finish in the trunk of the CLA is nicer than the C as well.

I will also say, the door panels on my CLA, do not have the hollow sound and flex that you find in the new S. MB really cut corners on the S class door panels. They may be covered in leather, but feel paper thin.

What really annoys me on the GLA is the B-pillar is hard plastic on the interior all the way up. But when the seatbelt hits the b pillar on the CLA you get a cheap hollow sounding knock.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Phy, from my observations all the new Benzes including the S, C and now E, have the light feeling doors you refer to. From my experience with the C though, after time you don't even take notice of it unless you sit next to an older model Benz back to back. You more appreciate the style, the nice surfaces, tight fit and finish and the fact the there's no creaks or rattles after 1000's of KM's despite the 'light' feel. They still close with the reassuring thunk. Mum's 2015 C now has over 20,000KM on it with not a rattle or squeak to be heard.

Audis in comparison, regardless of how tight and solid they feel and the incredible perception of quality they convey to the touch, always end up rattling somewhere or another, from my experience.

 

[tristatez28lt1]

 

[Wolfgang]

While some of these gadgets were featured in a concept S-Class at CES, Kallenius confirmed that at least some of this health tech wasn’t that far away and wouldn’t necessarily be debuting in the most luxurious models first up. In fact, they’ll debut on Mercedes most affordable model, the $30,000 A-Class.

“Some of the fit and healthy features we are working on will even be launched on the next generation A-class,” he said.

http://www.motoring.com.au/ces-2017-mercedes-benz-wants-you-fit-and-healthy-105306/

 

[Wolfgang]

The sculpture Aesthetics A previews the A-Class sedan. To premiere in Geneva.

MB Passion

 

[W201]

Says bloomberg.com:


Mercedes Redesign Starts Second Lap With Shark-Tooth Hatchback

“There’ll be a predator face at the front,” he said, adding that the new look will ratchet back some of the traits that he had introduced, such as creases in the car’s side, which will drop to one from three. “Creases have had their day.”

Full article can be found here:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...-starts-second-lap-with-shark-tooth-hatchback

P.S.
Remember when Busty said that Daimler is experimenting with larger, more imposing grille, in one of his posts? This seems to be the result, or rather, sneak peak of what is to come.

Kudos to @Busty

 

[Wolfgang]

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Says bloomberg.com:


Mercedes Redesign Starts Second Lap With Shark-Tooth Hatchback

“There’ll be a predator face at the front,” he said, adding that the new look will ratchet back some of the traits that he had introduced, such as creases in the car’s side, which will drop to one from three. “Creases have had their day.”

Full article can be found here:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...-starts-second-lap-with-shark-tooth-hatchback

P.S.
Remember when Busty said that Daimler is experimenting with larger, more imposing grille, in one of his posts? This seems to be the result, or rather, sneak peak of what is to come.

Kudos to @Busty

Interesting read. But when articles make statements like this their credibility gets shot:

"Sales of 2015’s 7-Series have been underwhelming while the 5-Series, available to customers next month, has also failed to rouse enthusiasm. Audi has similarly battled tepid responses to timid revamps like the A4 sedan. "

Based on what? The 7 Series is doing just fine as is the A4 and the 5-series hasn't even hit the market yet. It's also getting rave reviews from some of the press drives.

Also, I hope wagoner pays respect to the concept of 'vertical affinity' which was lost under Pfeiffer. New models should not massively date preceding ones and certain design elements should be evolved to create identify within a range. You know a Golf and Passat when you see them, one generation to the next, and you know an Audi TT, A4, Q5 etc when you see them one generation to the next. The same should be the case for Mercedes. They A-class etc. need to build an identity in themselves.

That sculpture does look promising though.

 

[Wolfgang]

The grille may be GT-R inspired?

Sculpture “Aesthetics A”: A study in proportions

Creases have had their day. The Design team’s “ Aesthetics A” sculpture presents the vision of a saloon car in the compact car segment which has been radically stripped down to the essential body. It also provides a clear indication of how the design philosophy of Sensual Purity will be manifested in the not too distant future.

In applying the design philosophy of Sensual Purity, with the current A-Class Mercedes‑Benz initiated a design shift whose formative influence was to extend beyond the brand itself.

The “Aesthetics A” sculpture embodies the advancement of the Mercedes‑Benz design idiom. It focuses on stripping everything down to the essentials, underscoring this with emotional highlights. “ Form and body are what remain when creases and lines are reduced to the extreme. We have the courage to apply this purism”, says Design head Gorden Wagener. “In combination with perfect proportions and sensual surface design, the upcoming generation of the compact class has the potential to herald a new design era”.

Instead of modifying the basic form with lines, the Mercedes‑B enz designers use dynamic surfaces positioned at an angle to one another to contour the body through the use of light and shade and to emphasize the proportions. This makes the essence of a body visible and communicates it in a credible way. The expressive and confident red as a new signature Mercedes‑Benz colour underscores the sensuality and emotion of the sculpture.

The concentration on proportions and form also requires special work methods. “At the beginning of the process our work is comparable to that of sculptors”, explains Wagener. “The classic techniques still form the core of our creative work. The clay model plays a central role here: one can’t carry out a final assessment of a design on a computer, because a screen is two-dimensional, while a car is three-dimensional”.

“Aesthetics A” has a 3-box design, marking a departure in the direction of new markets for the compact class. Outside of Germany and Europe, classic saloons are still much in demand in this segment.

The “Aesthetics A” sculpture is a continuation of a series of sculptures from Mercedes‑Benz which to date comprises the “ Aesthetics No. 1” (2010), “Aesthetics No. 2”, “Aesthetics 125” (both 2011) and “Aesthetics S” (2012).

Source: Daimler