GLA [Spyshots] Mercedes-Benz GLA

[klier]

Hopefully it wont look like that ^^. It looks like a disproportionate GLK.

It looks really weird without a third side window....

I think the B class would be fine, it would not hurt MBs image any more then the C coupe did. I would not bring the A over though.

C class coupe was $25K bring over the B class for $20-25K and it would sell great without any/much negative on most people.

I think you don't realise that the B class is front wheel drive? THE biggest sin I can think of personally. I'd keep the B class far, far away from the States too. Americans will not like it.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

I think the B class would be fine, it would not hurt MBs image any more then the C coupe did. I would not bring the A over though.
C class coupe was $25K bring over the B class for $20-25K and it would sell great without any/much negative on most people.

I don't know. The B-class really looks cheap. I can see it doing a lot of damage, just like that C-class coupe. MB might want to just let the Smart car have all the fun now.

BMW's 1 series is doing ok in the states because it actually looks like a "cute" car. The B-class just seems like a overweight small hatchback or a mini r-class. I just don't see young American buyers running to buy a baby bus.

I think you don't realise that the B class is front wheel drive? THE biggest sin I can think of personally. I'd keep the B class far, far away from the States too. Americans will not like it.

Well we do have a lot of front wheel drive cars in America. Matter of fact some of the leading sellers are front wheel drive (Camry). Plus Front wheel drive vehicles have a better advantage in the snow. I have seen so many E-class benzes without 4matic in the snow struggling for survival.

It's really going to come down to that "cheap" look of the B-class and it's interior. Mercedes-Benz in highly regarded in this country. We don't have no E-class taxis around here. Other then Bentley, Bugatti, Rolls and Exotic sports cars Mercedes-Benz is the Best money can buy.

I have seen people not pay their rent so they can be seen in a C-class. I've seen people sell their children for an MB...j/k. But they are serious about Benz over here. A B-class would just really lower those expectations.

 

[SCOTT27]

You may not like it but Mercedes-Benz are in desperate need to build up their cash reserves that they will take advantage of the move to smaller compact vehicles that they will offer A and B-Klasse premium vehicle concepts in North American markets.

The future now is the compact market , The SLS is the last of it's kind.
Although there will still be the core models and their respective AMG counterparts. There will be no, for a while or so super expensive "image" projects. Priority one is survival.

 

[Gullwing]

They woont bring over the current one so they can make any upgrades with the new model, that interior should be fine.

You don't think people would look at a Mercedes B200 CDI when thinking about buying a Prius? Similar cars.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

You don't think people would look at a Mercedes B200 CDI when thinking about buying a Prius? Similar cars.

It depends...Americans look at pricing and maintence. Especially now in this economy.

Who knows...The B-class could work wonders, but I would prefer to see them further develop Smart in the US.

 

[Centurion]

The SLS is the last of it's kind. Although there will still be the core models and their respective AMG counterparts. There will be no, for a while or so super expensive "image" projects. Priority one is survival.

Then I'm afraid you've missed the point of what Mercedes is. It's a prestigious brand, and prestigious brand sell prestigious products -- i.e the SLR and SLS. The SLR might not have been the cash cow bringing schnitzel and potatoes to Dieter Zetsche's dinner table every night but it has been a splendid investment.

A top brand is defined by their flagship products, and if what they offer doesn't stand above the competitors, then there is no prestige to be spoken off. Thanks to participation in F1 and then introducing the F1 nose to the SLR and further leverage from that by using the design feature on the SLK. AMG-kits would not have been popular if people didn't want to imitate the powerful appearance of Mercedes' AMG models. It's the top of the line cars that carries the rest of the product line.

Super cars like the SLR is highly expensive development products but they are bought by celebrities, featured in racing games, talked about, featured in films and generate millions of euro's worth of advertisement exposure for Mercedes. Thanks to such extraordinary offerings people step into a dealership and buy an A-Class just because it shares similarities with an SLR cabrio the customer saw parked outside a Ritz Carlton. That's the effect dream cars have on people. Yes, top end product are of high benefit for even the most established brands and are not as like you and Eni would put it: For manufacturers trying to establish themselves.

Off course times are tough and cars generating sales are of high importance. But super cars will continue to be in Mercedes inventory as they are the reasons anyone would be willing to buy an entry level Mercedes or BMW that might only offer marginally better value than a similar car from VW. Further more life isn't always greener one the other side. Small and affordable cars is not Mercedes nor BMW's expertise and climbing down the segments can be quite dangerous as hyaenas by the likes of VW, Toyota and Honda are watching very carefully. Enter their price territory and the three Germans will see their products out performanced because of price. Imitation is a big threat too and Mercedes should therefore not go too far down on the price ladder as they might face some very fierce competition from the Japanese car giants.

 

[fortuner]

Not bad but its too close to the GLK i supoose it will be simalar but i would like some more differentaiation.

PLEASE Merceds SA bring the GLK now...

 

[HighestOfHigh]

^^Hate the front, Love the rear!

 

[tennmb]

Looks great, but what is the point of an SUV smaller than a GLK? I can't imagine anything smaller and working.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

^Thats what I thought about the BMW X3 until the X1 came along.

I guess it's some space in the line up for it.

Only thing is I hope the price is really reasonable. I hate to see tiny cars/suvs run $30k.

This car should be no more then $22k for a base model / Same for the X1 whenever that reaches the states.

 

[Shining Star]

Looks great, but what is the point of an SUV smaller than a GLK? I can't imagine anything smaller and working.

I have to agree; the GLK is small enough. I understand that MB wants to bring new people to MB by making a smaller, less expensive SUV, but there comes a point where enough is enough...the GLK's rear seat is pretty tight; the BLK would only be worse.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

I understand that MB wants to bring new people to MB by making a smaller, less expensive SUV, but there comes a point where enough is enough...

They can never get enough of ......

[image no longer available]blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/money.jpg

I'm sure Mercedes as well as BMW will keep exploring options such a new vehicles and segments they can capture to get that all might dollar. What doesn't make sense to use makes a lot of sense to them.

I'm sure someone will buy it just to say "I gotta a Benz baby".

 

[EnI]

Mini-SUVs make a lot of sense in Europe.

US market in not primary at this moment. But even US customers started to downsize slowly.

 

[NarutoRamen]

^^Hate the front, Love the rear!

Nah man, I love that chop overall.

 

[tennmb]

I understand $$ as much as anyone. But it doesn't make money sense.
Take the US market for example. That is your gravy train for the GLK. Yet they have yet to offer a diesel of four banger of anykind in the GLK or C.
How quickly can MB get a 4 cyl diesel and gas GLK to the US verses a whole new vehicle to market?

 

[Wolfgang]

I understand $$ as much as anyone. But it doesn't make money sense.
Take the US market for example. That is your gravy train for the GLK. Yet they have yet to offer a diesel of four banger of anykind in the GLK or C.
How quickly can MB get a 4 cyl diesel and gas GLK to the US verses a whole new vehicle to market?

The 4 cylinder gasser should appear "soon".

The 4 cylinder diesel is expected for model year 2012.

It takes time to interface the 7G-tronic to high torque engines, so it shifts faultless. MBUSA likely doesn't want to repeat the six cylinder diesel introduction problems.

Mercedes Confirms Return of 4-cyl. C-Class

 

[SKY]

 

[MBFanToDeath]

btw...one comment from LeftLane

leftwingagenda kinda looks like a hyundai…
i’m running away now…quickly!

come on...I'm tired of these stupid comments Mercedes=Hyundai

 

[adeel2010]

GLK is small enough and cheap enough. Anything lower priced would only be ruining their image.

 

[cawimmer430]

[image no longer available]albums/x208/SKYSONY/ArchivodelPortafolios22-1.jpg?t=1269602746

I like it because I see styling cues from the current B-Class in it. Essentially it's a more dynamic and sporty styled B-Class we're seeing in this photoshop. That curvacious side line is from the F-800 concept and I suppose fitting if Mercedes is taking this styling direction.