A-Class (W176) [Official] Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W176)

Wolfgang · Apr 17, 2012

^ Final approval for the three door coupe and cabrio is not expected before mid 2013 AFAIK.

Mercedes-Benz Concept A -- AutoGuide

Wolfgang · May 1, 2012

some standard A-Class pics, without options.

speed_kills · May 1, 2012

The interior is fine in standard. The exterior loses the appeal in standard trim, needs a little bigger wheels, it's not exactly a problem of the A class but most new cars. They need the biggest rim to looks sporty.

Wolfgang · May 11, 2012

2012 Mercedes A-Class preview - updated

http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/2012-mercedes-a-class-preview-updated/262770

soulless · May 11, 2012

like it!

klier · May 12, 2012

That interior looks very poor imo.

The whole car doesn't look like an MB at all. More like a Citroen DS.

Wunderkind · May 12, 2012

I suppose if the pricing is right, then it should do well.

The dashboard is quite boring, especially in black. The one in the picture has the sports steering wheel and electric seats and all. The lesser models with less features will look even more boring.

It looks no worse than the contemporary 1-series or the compact Lexus.

SKY · May 12, 2012

klier said:
That interior looks very poor imo.

The whole car doesn't look like an MB at all. More like a Citroen DS.

I agree, the car lacks of taste. It wants too hard to appeal to the younger audience, it's overdesigned at best.

Wolfgang · May 12, 2012

Agree the A doesn't look that

in some of those pics above.

Together with other Benzes:

http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=de&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http://de.auto.de/magazin/showArticle/article/77425/Mercedes-A-Klassen-Antriebe-Eine-neue-(Effizienz-)Generation&act=url

tennmb · May 12, 2012

You can be sure of one thing. Price sells in this segment. It will not sell simply because it's a Benz.
As a US dealer, I have my doubts as to whether MB has the skills to market and sell this thing. MB is still charging for Keyless Go on a $100k SL550.
They falied with the R, and it's funny because now many of the other brands are introducing new vehicles that fit that segment, as MB is bailing on it. They have failed with SMART for the same reasons.

Wolfgang · May 12, 2012

tennmb said:
They falied with the R, and it's funny because now many of the other brands are introducing new vehicles that fit that segment, as MB is bailing on it.

True. In my neighborhood the R is popular.

Some recent pics I saw posted on MB world:

http://mbworld.org/forums/r-class-w251/446876-they-call-ugly-pics-my-r.html

tennmb · May 12, 2012

The base model interior is awful. WE have a Hyundai Sonata on the lot that has a better looking radio head unit than that. Some 18-22 year old female might like that nasty quartz blue, but if you took away the star, you couldn't convince me this wasn't the latest Mazda 3. If they offer it in the US with the diesel, and some nice interior trim, maybe.

K-A · May 12, 2012

klier said:
That interior looks very poor imo.

The whole car doesn't look like an MB at all. More like a Citroen DS.

Troll!

Na, you're right. The interior looks very mundane without all the glitzy fashion pics we've seen used to show it so far. After being in Europe, I can now see just how generically overdesigned and "Hey, kids! Look! We're cool!" this Hatch design is. Lots of (mostly French it seemed) cars look similar.

Also, it's insane to see how much M-B is pushing this car, in that pic where they put it next to dull colored M-B's, all with standard basic body cladding, and the A in a loud color with what seems like a highly equipped package. They're literally talking down their main cars to talk up the A.

Wolfgang · May 12, 2012

Suspect an A-Class diesel is unlikely in the USA. Suggest Golf/Jetta/A3 instead.

http://www.hybridcars.com/market-dashboard.html

Human · May 13, 2012

K-A said:
Troll!

Na, you're right. The interior looks very mundane without all the glitzy fashion pics we've seen used to show it so far. After being in Europe, I can now see just how generically overdesigned and "Hey, kids! Look! We're cool!" this Hatch design is. Lots of (mostly French it seemed) cars look similar.

Also, it's insane to see how much M-B is pushing this car, in that pic where they put it next to dull colored M-B's, all with standard basic body cladding, and the A in a loud color with what seems like a highly equipped package. They're literally talking down their main cars to talk up the A.

On the other hand, let's face it Premium manufacturers base/standard offerings looks mundane and bland on purpose. See, the HUGE profits lies in the add-on's or the looooooooooooong options list, hence the word PREMIUM

Take a base F20 1er or even a Audi A1, the latter looks nothing short of boring in standard spec. Yet dress her up in Audi's finest wheel, paint and other options and you have a desirable little pocket rocket e.g. Betty's, that one I'd like to own

And frankly neither an F10 or E-class has any wow factor without some Avantgarde or M-Sport option, you should know K-A!?