A-Class (W176) New A class based sedan?

[Amat46]

Did Daimler officials accidentally spill the beans

Earlier reports had said that Daimler would build the GLA crossover in Aguascalientes as part of a joint venture with Nissan. But Daimler executives told Manager Magazin that the company plans to build the next-generation CLA and a new A-class sedan variant at the factory.

http://europe.autonews.com/article/20140623/ANE/140629964/daimler-set-to-approve-mercedes-output-in-mexico-report-says

As the Manager magazine further reports, Mercedes-Benz plans, in addition to the construction of the CLA and the production of a new conventional sedan version of the compact A-Class

http://www.mercedes-fans.de/news/news_artikel/geruecht__mercedes_baut_neue_limousine_auf_basis_der_a-klasse/id=7171

 

[Serpens]

I was wondering when this was going to happen. Makes sense...this can more squarely go against the A3.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

They will need to up the ante if they aim to be more competitive with the A3. Having owned the an A3 sedan for almost a fortnight now and driving my aunts CLA numerous times over the last 6 months, the A3 is clearly the better vehicle.

 

[fortuner]

I knew something like this will be on its way...

 

[Rainer271]

Mercedes to make an India-friendly traditional A-Class sedan at Mexican factory

According to a report, Daimler will approve production of the next generation Mercedes CLA, and a compact sedan at a Nissan plant in Mexico.

While it was earlier reported that Mercedes would be making the GLA crossover here, company executives told a German publication that Mercedes intends on making a new sedan based on the A Class and the next generation CLA Class at this plant located in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

A traditional three-box based on the A Class could be designed to offer better leg and head room than the CLA, besides a larger boot.

Analysts expect Mercedes cars made in this plant to be exported to the United States in 2017. The annual output is expected to range between 100,000 to 150,000 units. Apart from the A Class sedan and next gen CLA, a compact Infiniti model based on the MFA platform will also be made here.

This is likely to be the Infiniti Q30, which was revealed in concept form at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year. With soft-roader looks, the Q30 would rival the Mercedes GLA crossover when it goes on sale in mid-2015.

The Infiniti Q30 is based on the MFA platform that underpins the A Class.

Thanks to cheap and skilled labor, and proximity to the U.S., Mexico is given a lot of attention by car makers. Audi announced that the next generation Q5 will be built at their upcoming Mexican plant from mid-2016, and rival BMW could open a plant in Mexico (decision to be made by July 30) to produce the 1 and 3 Series along with Mini models.

Mercedes A Class sedan & next gen CLA to be made in Mexico

 

[Rainer271]

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan envisioned as a smaller and cheaper CLA

Would compete with the A3 Sedan and upcoming 1-Series Sedan
Theophilus Chin decided to digitally illustrate an entry-level Mercedes-Benz sedan to sit below the "four-door coupe" CLA.

Earlier this year we heard Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche saying there won't be a smaller model to slot below the A-Class, thus putting an end to rumors concerning a potential X-Class co-developed with Renault. Filling the gap between the Smart and the A-Class, the model was allegedly supposed to come out in 2018 riding on the Clio platform and with a starting price of less than 20,000 EUR.

Now, Theophilus Chin has decided to show us his vision of a smaller and cheaper model within the A-Class family. It's a proper sedan unlike the "four-door coupe" CLA and also comes with a shorter front overhang for a more compact size. Such a model would be an adversary of the Audi A3 Sedan and a probable BMW 1-Series Sedan scheduled to come out in 2017 with a front-wheel drive layout, just like its German rivals.

Mercedes-Benz does have expansion plans for its entry-level family but it only involves a CLA Shooting Brake, the fourth member after the A-Class, CLA and GLA. There could even be a fifth member in the form of a GLA Coupe as hinted recently by the firm's head of research and development Thomas Weber who said more crossovers are on the way.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan envisioned as a smaller and cheaper CLA

 

[ZicZachZo]

"It's a proper sedan unlike the "four-door-coupe" CLA"

Uhm, the CLA is a sedan no matter what the marketing department tries to call it. It has 4 doors and a trunk. It is a proper sedan. This A-class sedan makes no sense to me at all. AFIK the CLA is a direct competitor to the A3 sedan and the upcoming 1 series sedan. So what gives...?

 

[Serpens]

"It's a proper sedan unlike the "four-door-coupe" CLA"

Uhm, the CLA is a sedan no matter what the marketing department tries to call it. It has 4 doors and a trunk. It is a proper sedan. This A-class sedan makes no sense to me at all. AFIK the CLA is a direct competitor to the A3 sedan and the upcoming 1 series sedan. So what gives...?

I'm OK with an A-class sedan actually. It could have more headroom in the back and could be equipped with a softer suspension.

 

[Wolfgang]

The above A-Class sedan may fit into the gap between the A-Class with 4.29m and the CLA with 4.63m?

That's where the B-Class resides already, with 4.36m.

B-Class, 4.36m long, now available in the USA with electric drive. The ones I've checked come with suspension code 485 (comfort suspension).

 

[hannaz]

"It's a proper sedan unlike the "four-door-coupe" CLA"

Uhm, the CLA is a sedan no matter what the marketing department tries to call it. It has 4 doors and a trunk. It is a proper sedan. This A-class sedan makes no sense to me at all. AFIK the CLA is a direct competitor to the A3 sedan and the upcoming 1 series sedan. So what gives...?

I too have the same opinion. Even if A-class sedan is considered, it would effect CLA sales badly, hence I doubt whether MB will make such a move.

 

[Rolf]

Would be a good addition to the range as I am sure both Audi and BMW will bring out a 4 door coupe version of A3 and 1 series/2 series GC to rival CLA