March27
With the likes of BMW's 1-series and Audi's A3 dominating the premium small car segment, Mercedes-Benz has finally decided to get serious and create a real contender for the segment. Expected to launch by 2011, Mercedes has given the go ahead on a project to completely revamp its A and B-Class cars.
According to AutoCar, Mercedes-Benz head Dr. Dieter Zetsche has given the green light to the plans that will see the A-Class turned into a 1-series fighter and the B-Class transformed into a serious competitor for the upcoming X1 small SUV.
The new A-Class — which is expected to be called the CLA — could spawn three different body types, but will initially be launched as a coupe. Mercedes decided on a two-door coupe instead of a three-door hatchback — like the CLC – to give the car a more upscale feel. In the long run, Mercedes expect the CLA — which will be priced at about £19,000 — to eventually replace the CLC.
Look for the CLA and new B-Class to be powered by a range of gasoline and diesel four-cylinders, with horsepower ranging from 120 horsepower to 200.
Mercedes hopes to boost its premium small car sales to over 280,000 by early next decade, a goal the new A and B-Class cars should help the German automaker attain.
So that would make is the CLA-Class, for those with a st-st-st-stutter.
buenos, lol
Will they ever come to the US?
If those cars are still fwd, they will never compete with the 1 series
They are not meant to compete with the 1 series which is a RWD drivers sports car.
These are small runabouts for families
is there going to be more "premium" features other than the price and gas type needed?
They just promoted the guy who designed these abortions so that they can be revamped.
Those fuglies should be re-drawn and redesigned completely. There is nothing to update there. They not exactly selling either.
Why can't these arrogant bastards just admit they f*cked up the first time?
Ditto autonut, the A and B have been failures in many countries as well. Here's a quote from one of the largest shareholder of MB spoken directly to me at a meeting, "The German exec thinks cheap Mercedes is the A Class… the C Class is the bare acceptable model for a Mercedes. This is why the C has to move downmarket to significantly increase overall sales. People aren't stupid enough to get a car like the A Class just for the star."
depends on where they price it at?
For those who never sat in an A Class, imagine being in a Honda Fit/Jazz. I don't have much exposure to the B Class, so no comment there.