According to reports from Car and Driver, the Mercedes-Benz A-class concept will no longer be just an auto show tease. It has been confirmed that the mini Mercedes is headed for production and will be sold in the U.S.
The cars will feature a toned-down version of the A-Class concept’s front end, while they’ll pick up the rear styling of the Mercedes-Benz F800 concept. We will likely see a more upright, small crossover first, similar to the current Mercedes B-class, with other body styles a short time after the vehicle’s initial launch. Body styles are likely to include a five-door hatch and a sleek CLS-style sedan and a three-door. Audi recently announced that they would be getting the next-generation A3 sedan in the U.S. in addition to a five-door hatch, and that’s exactly the car Mercedes is targeting with the A-class.
Engines for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class are likely to borrow from the bottom of the Benz line, including the new 201-hp, 1.8-liter four from the C250, with the new 3.5-liter V-6 possibly serving as a range-topper. We wouldn’t be surprised to see a turbo four join the lineup, and some A-classes will use a dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Power will be routed to the front wheels, although we expect the baby crossover to pack all-wheel drive. Price-wise, the A-class will no doubt start below the current C-class, which carries a base sticker just under $35k, but we expect there will be overlap between the two, just as the Audi A3 and A4 share plenty of common price territory. But you just might have the opportunity to spend a hell of a lot more than that on an tiny Benz, though, if the rumored AMG version of the A-class comes our way, too.
