Mercedes-Benz Concept A Revealed for Shanghai

[bmer]

It's now really evident how MB is moving to more organic designs. This is going to be quite revolutionary compared to the current A-Class, which is a good thing. I wonder if we'll see Concept B-Class as well (like last time with the Vision CST).

Does anybody know who's the lead exterior designer for this concept?

 

[Zafiro]

May I remind you this is Concept, as usual there will be some changes for the production car.

 

[SKY]

Where have you seen the 1er...you knew about this A concept before anyone else on here great job...hey does your source twll you when the A will be invield and howmuch it will be toned down..

This concept is just the same as the CLS one. Or oven closer to production. Only the interior doesn´t seem definitive. It has tactile door handles, which of course won´t reach production, and too futuristic graphics in the grille and front air intake. The rear is pretty much exact to what we are going to see in the dealers. Maybe that light strip that joins the rearlights won´t reach production.

I would like to ask any of our photoshopers is they could put some AMG rims in the concept, as I´m not 100% convinced by the look of them.

 

[SCOTT27]

90% mi very first car in a year and a half. Specially after having see the new 1er.

Wait till you see the 3dr 1er SportHatch the roof line gets sleeker towards the rear you might like it more in the M-Sport Packet?

In early 1er competition sketches some designs actually had wider kidney grilles surrounded by smaller intricate headlight units , The grilles were even bigger than the 7er if you can imagine that.

Whilst the 3dr looks sporty and more dynamic. I believe the 5dr will probably be a bit more conservative and less sleeker, given the need for increased headroom in the rear. But I like what I see so far lets hope for their sake they dont completely commercialize it from this into something bland and forgettable.

 

[PHYBENZ]

Great looking car, the only thing I don't like is the shape of the headlights closest to the grill and they incorporate with the grill. Looks a little odd to me, but other than that looks great. Also hope the 3rd brake light moves to the window.

 

[SKY]

Wait till you see the 3dr 1er SportHatch the roof line gets sleeker towards the rear you might like it more in the M-Sport Packet?

In early 1er competition sketches some designs actually had wider kidney grilles surrounded by smaller intricate headlight units , The grilles were even bigger than the 7er if you can imagine that.

Whilst the 3dr looks sporty and more dynamic. I believe the 5dr will probably be a bit more conservative and less sleeker, given the need for increased headroom in the rear. But I like what I see so far lets hope for their sake they dont completely commercialize it from this into something bland and forgettable.

I have much time to wait, but some key elemments, as the rearlights or the front ones, look more interesting on this car. It´s a concept afterall, it has to be thrilling.

 

[tennmb]

Would love to have seen those lights and that grille on the new ML.

As far as production. You can scrap the whole interior. Tone down the headlights. scrap the sideview mirros and lower bumper trim. I'd say mute nearly all the other distinctive elements as well.

Distinctly MB? Hardly. Apart from the grille, it could be a concept Mazda, Nissan, Hyundai, or Scion. But, if you are going down scale, I guess MB thinks this is the kind of buyer you have to reach. It may work in Europe and other markets, but not the US.

Here, most buyers are buying practical 4 door sedans and SUVs. Toyota Camry, Honda Accord. Then those brands can grow that customer into a Lexus or Acura. The difference is that buyer is not going from a boy racer to a luxury car. They are going from a nice sized car to a more upscale version.

IMO, Mercedes has this all wrong. They think they can take someone from a Scion level into the Mercedes brand. Basically skipping an entire market period. But that is the only way they perceive being able to tap that price point. They certainly aren't going to offer a $25k C-class or $35 E-class.

When I think about who the buyer this type of vehicle appeals to, I do not get excited. My question becomes, what does this really offer over say, a Toyota Matrix, or a Mazda 3. A higher price point, gouging on options, and less choices for service. As a 13 year Mercedes sales rep, it makes me ask, "Just what heck am I selling here?"

I do think this reveals some styling cues for the next generation C. Basically that Mercedes is now well behind BMW. If you look at the head-on shots, you see the same design element the 3-series introduced. That is where the front fender is rolled into the hood. Giving the front the appearance that it was sculpted. Nothing wrong with it. But BMW has been using this for a long while. It is an obvious element of their current styling. One I really like.

Certainly looks better than the original A-class, but it also seems to lose a lot of the usable space.

 

[martinbo]

If the new CLS and E-Class have that magical Benz "feel" about them, this simply doesn't. I know it's a concept car but it's still overwrought, overstyled and incongruous. It just has too much going on - it's got a weird Germano-Korean vibe happening. Bizarre.

 

[SKY]

Try to remember MB is an europena brand afterall. I can´t hardly imagine the US in MB´s mind when designing this car. This is aimed to compete againts the 1er, the Golf and the A3, cars that use to sell very good here in Europe. Young customers, precisely what MB is looking for with this car, like to buy 118d M here, or a Golf R-Line and so on. They have money to afford them, but are young enough not to need anything bigger. And of course run out of the horrid A-Class that has been on sale since 1998.

This car is going to sell well in Europe, that´s for sure. I ain´t know if it´s gonna rule the market or not, but it will seel.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

If the new CLS and E-Class have that magical Benz "feel" about them, this simply doesn't. I know it's a concept car but it's still overwrought, overstyled and incongruous. It just has too much going on - it's got a weird Germano-Korean vibe happening. Bizarre.

Considering the customer Benz would be targeting with this car, it would be perfect. If the production A looks anything similar to this the 1 series will be dead on arrival.

 

[montana]

The man in the video, Mark Fetherston, explains the lines of the car. According to him, the lines definates it's positive and negative surface. I really don't hope the S-Class gets one of these. I like straight lines. However, the A will probably get those bent ones.

 

[bmwownage]

Considering the customer Benz would be targeting with this car, it would be perfect. If the production A looks anything similar to this the 1 series will be dead on arrival.

who's MB targeting with this car? as a young individual i wouldn't want this thing, a "wannabe" benz that doesn't look like a benz with lines just randomly placed on the side.. Pretty much, the front end of the new age MBs will be the same, with this kind of grille, and similar lines, and that's the reason for the weirdo shape headlights, to differentiate. rear lights are nonsense, even worse than the VW Polo lights on the 1er.

 

[bmwownage]

The man in the video, Mark Fetherston, explains the lines of the car. According to him, the lines definates it's positive and negative surface. I really don't hope the S-Class gets one of these. I like straight lines. However, the A will probably get those bent ones.

I think you will be disappointed. As soon as MB invents something, they apply it to every model. Obviously they think the positive negative surface (what the???? what's a positive surface?? the side with protons? negative surface is the side with electrons?) is their iconic feature and they will apply it. I just hope the next S won't get this kind of grille.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

who's MB targeting with this car? as a young individual i wouldn't want this thing, a "wannabe" benz that doesn't look like a benz with lines just randomly placed on the side.. Pretty much, the front end of the new age MBs will be the same, with this kind of grille, and similar lines, and that's the reason for the weirdo shape headlights, to differentiate. rear lights are nonsense, even worse than the VW Polo lights on the 1er.

A "wannabe" Benz made by Benz? That makes no sense.

I think your thinking about that old world Benz thinking. We aren't talking about the "well to do" Benz owners. This is about getting a new generation of buyers. If this was a S-class concept then their might be some concerns.

We all know that will not be the interior of the new A-class. That is common sense. I'm sure the interior will look someone similar to the current line up. As far as exterior it's very similar to the CLS on the side. The headlights are outstanding and different. Younger buyers like to stand out.

Then again I'm sure MB will observe there target markets reaction when this is shown at the show. By then they will know if they have a winner on their hand or not.

IMO the car looks outstanding!

 

[montana]

I think you will be disappointed. As soon as MB invents something, they apply it to every model. Obviously they think the positive negative surface (what the???? what's a positive surface?? the side with protons? negative surface is the side with electrons?) is their iconic feature and they will apply it. I just hope the next S won't get this kind of grille.

Positive and negative surfaces describes how the upper part of the side is bending outwards, while the bottom part is bending back "into" the car. The character line separates these two. (Weird explanation, hope it makes any sense, lol).

And I agree about the S. Should be kinda "vanilla" imo, with a clean design (yet sharp).

 

[SKY]

Considering the customer Benz would be targeting with this car, it would be perfect. If the production A looks anything similar to this the 1 series will be dead on arrival.

I can really understand you excitement, as the car really deserves to be praised. But mind what we´ve seen of the new 1er is just an ugly pic, an ugly color, 5dr, and without any M Pack. And this is 3dr, with specific rims, and so on. Let´s wait til the 1er 3dr M is presented, then I will choose.

 

[bum-man]

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Wow that looks great in motion, front lights look much better. I think it would be great if the hidden 3rd brake light linking the two rear ones would make it to production. Seems like an original idea. To bad it will be FWD though.

 

[Michael]

This could be what we see in future Mercedes Benz cars.

This concept reminds me of an Acura concept. Sorry MB lovers. I like it, though. It reminds me of something that Chris Bangle would design. The Z4 ish flame surfacing seems to be on the sides.

I like it, but there is something about it that strikes me as un-mercedes like. Dunno.

 

[SCOTT27]

When you talk about progresses in automobile design it reminds me of some of the great philosophists. When they say " Darwin was right"

Chris Bangle was right.

 

[PHYBENZ]

^^^^ In theory Bangle may have been right, but def not in practice.