Will be launched in 2018.
In the entry-level three-box premium market, Mercedes-Benz has the coupe-esque saloon - the Mercedes CLA. In addition to that, the company's compact car line-up will see addition of a new Mercedes A-Class Saloon to compete the Audi A3 Saloon and BMW 1 Series Sedan head-to-head, says a new report from Autocar UK.
According to the report, the Mercedes A-Class Saloon will be positioned between the Mercedes CLA and the Mercedes C-Class. Its primary targets will be China and North America, although supplier sources have confirmed that a right-hand drive version is also planned, suggesting UK, Australia, Japan, India and Thailand could also get the new entry-level saloon.
Mercedes-Benz hasn't given a confirmation for the A-Class Saloon, but sources have told the British publication that the car could reach dealerships before the end of 2018, which is the year when the fourth-gen A-Class hatchback would go official.
The A-Class Saloon will be the sixth model based on the MFA platform after the A-Class, B-Class, CLA, CLA Shooting Brake and GLA. It's expected to be bigger size compared to the CLA, which measures 4,630 mm in length, 1,780 mm in width and 1,430 mm in height. China will get an exclusive long-wheelbase version.
The Mercedes A-Class Saloon will be offered in front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive drivetrain layouts. Along with the M264 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol, the OM654 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engines, options will include 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol and 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engines from the Renault-Nissan Alliance. A 6-speed manual transmission will be standard, but higher-end models will be available with an 9-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Also See: 2018 Mercedes A Class (W177) spied testing in Spain – Video
A four-wheel drive AMG variant will top the range, powered by a new version of the M133 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that will produce up to 400 bhp. Derivatives will include a petrol-electric plug-in hybrid having a powertrain consisting of the M264 2.0-litre petrol engine as the main powerhouse.
[Source: Autocar]
