By 2013, our hunch is that Mercedes Benz will bring in the MFA-based A-Class model to India. A variety of derivatives are planned on the low cost MFA kit architecture and one of the most interesting spin offs is what you view here - the sedan, dubbed baby CLS, expected in India to combat the Audi A3 sedan and BMW's 1 Series.
As BenzInsider writes, Mercedes-Benz will gallop ahead to create a mini version of the legendary CLS. Front-wheel drive is going to be provided on the basic model while the top-end variants will all-wheel drive system.
Mercedes' performance division will also get to work on the baby CLS. Engine outputs will go north of 300 units, international websites have reported. This is not very relevant to India as there are neither roads nor fuel prices that allow for 300hp to roam around the crankshaft.
Mercedes could plonk two small petrols - a 1.6 and a 2.0 liter engine producing 150 and 207 horsepower respectively under the hood of the baby CLS.
What diesel engine will they use? Looking outside the 2.2 liter from the C-Class, could they explore the choice of using Renault's 1.5-liter K9K from the Fluence now that Daimler and Renault are associates? Or could they opt for the Oragadam-assembled Koloes' 2.0-liter diesel that kicks out a bit more power and torque?
Is Mercedes-Benz prepping the baby CLS for the IAA in Frankfurt this September? These spy shots taken at Mercedes' Hungary plant definitely say so.
As for India, we need to wait for six months after the international launch for a RHD to be ready. Mercedes Benz has to study the Indian market to work out the configuration and prices. Typical of a Mercedes, it will not be priced at rock bottom levels, skimped of useful equipment. IndianAutosBlog.com takes a guess - the baby CLS will be priced starting at just over 24 lakh rupees.
Mercedes Benz must consider bringing the MFA kit architecture to the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo and explaining to India how they plan to use technology to make Mercedes cars affordable while not sacrificing their ethics/principles.
An innovative atmosphere can be created using diagrams, charts, animations, interactive screens, clay models. Mercedes should showcase technology besides the glamorous models like the SLS AMG and the new CLS supercar that will win them cover photographs and heavy media mileage.
[Source - BenzInsider.com]
