Exclusive - Mercedes Benz India begins testing the new A Class

05/10/2012 - 10:30 | ,   | Shrawan Raja

Mercedes Benz India revealed earlier this year that it is studying the feasibility of many derivatives on the MFA Platform such as a sports tourer, a compact sedan and an SUV.

Mercedes A Class effects

The information in the public domain is that the A Class hatchback is scheduled to land sometime in 2013.

Today Indian Autos Blog can reveal that an example of the A Class has landed in India for testing purposes. Sporting a petrol engine with a paddle-shifter-equipped semi-automatic transmission, the MH14-registered white test mule, most likely strapped with a petrol engine (camouflaged with surgical tape) was spotted near Kothrud, Pune, by our regular reader.

Sources said that Mercedes Benz India had planned the A Class's launch around July 2013. Considering that testing has already started, and Mercedes Benz only has to make adjustments to the chassis and the powertrain to deem it India-ready, the launch can be advanced to fall prior to this tentative date.

Mercedes may be adopting the B Class' CBU-first, assembly-later strategy. The account maybe opened with a low-spec petrol engine, followed by diesel variants. If the price range of the B Class is a guideline, one can expect MB India to position the smaller A Class between 15-20 lakh rupees.

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