It was only a week or so ago that we saw the first spy photos showcasing a heavily-camouflaged 2012 A-Class prototype. Recently, spy photographers met the car in Stuttgart, near the Mercedes-Benz R&D Centre. The test car reveals mere clues on the looks of the hatchback, but that's hardly a surprise now after everybody saw a set of leaked patent sketches in May. Designers were in charge to create a crisp and youthful theme for the new model, as this is company's first 5-door vehicle attempt. The boring MPV shape is gone forever now that it was solely reserved for the new B-Class, which, as earlier stated, is indeed more elegant and stylish than in the past.
The new A-Class will closely follow the aesthetic footsteps of the concept car presented in April at Shanghai. That means we'll see the intricately-pampered LED headlights and the arched side windows panel make it onto the serial production model. The dashboard, although different from that of the B-Class, won't feature many of the futuristic materials found on the Concept A-Class, but will preserve some the airplane wing visual effect - mind those aircon vents that look like jet engines, because there's a chance they will be kept for the series car.
Other than that, the underpinnings and the entire technologycal package will be shared with the new B-Class, scheduled for the official reveal at the IAA Frankfurt. So, expect the same level of efficiency and almost the same equipments (depending on the variants). Rumors claim a hardcore, 350-hp version AMG version for the A-Class is also said to be under secret development by the Affalterbach-based tuner and it should hit streets in 2013 if the project gets fully greenlighted.
I expect the new A-Class to be slightly more expensive than its fellow brother - the base price should start at around 23,000-24,000 euros for the most countries in Europe. Mercedes-Benz announced that it will also start selling the car state-side, where it is prone to arrive by early 2013.
Photo source: Motor Authority
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
The new B-Class arrives this September and it will mark a definitive turnover in the Mercedes-Benz lineup. While the current model managed to attract a positive number of customers according to recent statistics, it was never perceived as a true Mercedes-Benz: the roomy interior and the elegant design didn't manage to counteract the obvious issues related to driving dynamics, overall efficiency and build quality. Having born in the cloudy Schrempp era, the first generation B-Class really had to resist some serious arguments against it to live up to these days and eventually surpass the little A-Class in what sales numbers are concerned. As for the forthcoming W 246, the minds that developed it had to deliver a tough work to fix the problems and create a whole new car both visually and technically.
I think they accomplished the task pretty well, if we have a look at the silhouette hidden under the minor FEP camouflage. The exterior styling has been clearly influenced by the nonconformist Concept BlueZERO if you look at the shape of the headlights, extensively fitted with colourful LEDs, and those weird seen on the side profile. To create a more aggressive stance, the roof line is lower compared to the outgoing model and slopes beautifully towards the back end of the car. Inside, the new B-Class will welcome the passengers with an attractive dashboard and quality materials, that are said to be even more premium than those found in the C-Class, according to Prof. Gorden Wagener, head of Mercedes-Benz design department. The spacious interior offers more storage places, more travelling comfort, more high-tech gimmicks such as the COMAND Online with multiple media and infotainment devices, as well as a revised luggage compartment boasting a greater capacity.
The MPV sits on a brand new modular platform called MFA - this will enable more powering solutions to be easily accommodated without changing the entire chassis or the basic architecture of the underpinnings. For the beginning, conventional internal combustion engines will be offered: Renault will supply the low displacement units up to 1.6 litres, whereas Mercedes-Benz will provide the high-end powerplants, such as the 2.1 litres 4-cylinder diesel engine with 204 hp and the 1.8 litres 4-cylinder petrol motor with the same peak output. To ensure a smooth and efficient run, each and every engine in the range will undergo the BlueEFFICIENCY treatment.
Some of the new assistance technologies which the Stuttgart-based constructor has premiered along with the latest models will make their way onto the upcoming B-Class. Moreover, an upgraded version of the Brake Assist system, which helps reduce the number of rear-end collisions, will also be available. The safety package will further include a high number of airbags for an ultimate passenger protection, pretensioned 3-point seat belts for all the five occupants, PRE-SAFE crash anticipation system, DISTRONIC PLUS, ABS, ESP and certainly many other.
When the new B-Class is launched for sale in Europe by the end of 2011, the standard price tag should reach around 22,000-23,000 euros. There are plans to market the MPV in the USA for the first time in history beginning with the second part of 2012.
Photo source: Motor Authority
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
This day's been very rich in spy photos: after we saw the A-Class, it's time to draw our attention to a future niche model: the CLC-Class (neither BLS nor CLA). Don't be confused, as the new car won't have anything in common with the awkward hatchback, already discontinued. Internally dubbed C 117, the CLC will be part of the forthcoming compact family of Mercedes-Benz, will be launched in 2013 and it could be generally seen as the little brother of the CLS. Although it may look a bit bloated due to the extensive camouflage, the beautiful car hidden underneath the black tape is likely to have a balanced, well-proportioned shape. Inspiration for the exterior and interior designs will come from the current CLS-Class and is expected to set high benchmarks in its class in terms of build quality, elegance and efficiency. Engines and technology will be borrowed from the new A-Class and B-Class, but we feel there's more to come: a top version motorized by a petrol/diesel burner with up to 250-300 hp and probably an AMG variant also.
Find out more info about the future Mercedes-Benz CLC >> HERE
Check out more spy shots after the jump!
Source: WorldCarFans
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
This evening marks a premiere, as spy photographers were able to get the first shots of a massively-camouflaged 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class prototype running on a private test track. Although they share the same platform, the two flagships of the upcoming compact range of the German constructor haven't begun the usual testing phase at the same time. Whereas the B-Class has already covered thousands and thousands of kilometers since 2009, engineers sent the new A-Class on streets just one year ahead of its scheduled unveiling. However, this doesn't automatically mean the car has not been developed behind closed doors, in the Merc's secret R&D labs. Seeing the Concept A-Class in April, the test model bears a lot of resemblance to the show vehicle revealed in Shanghai, at least in what the overall form is concerned. The first variant in the new lineup is a five-door hatchback, as the one in the scoop pics, but a more sports-oriented, three-door version similar to the concept is also in cards. Losing the bulky, rather unattractive MPV shape of the outgoing model means the new A-Class will gun for the BMW 1er and the Audi A3. The main artilery of the car for the fight is the spectacular MFA platform, which promises to be a trendsetter in the segment in areas such as modularity, efficiency and ride behaviour. Along with the A-Class, a new range of low-displacement Renault engines will debut, as part of the partnership signed last year. Mercedes-Benz will be in charge of supplying the high-end powerplants: the A 250 BlueEFFICIENCY and the A 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, both capable of delivering 204 hp of peak output. The official tuner of the Stuttgart-based carmaker, AMG, is reportedly working on a super A-Class: the A 25 AMG, packing a new supercharged, 4-cylinder engine boasting 350 hp and an all-wheel-drive platform.
Hit the break and see more spy photos!
Source: WorldCarFans
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
