Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan With Shorter Wheelbase Revealed

The standard sedan is 60mm shorter than the China-spec long wheelbase version

Mercedes-Benz has finally unveiled the standard version of the A-Class sedan after showcasing the China-only A-Class L (long wheelbase) back in April this year. Already unveiled in its hatchback form in February this year, this is the first time a sedan bears the A-Class nameplate. The standard version of the A-Class sedan is scheduled to go on sale in international markets towards the end of this year. In India, the new sedan will sit above the CLA since it will be a more modern offering and sold via the CBU (completely built unit) route.  

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Design

• The A-Class sedan looks identical to the hatchback when seen from the front

• Being a sedan, it’s quite obvious that it looks different from the hatchback when viewed from the side. The sedan gets a longer roofline, stretched rear doors and a stubby boot.

• The rear section resembles the current-gen CLA with a small rear windshield and an integrated boot spoiler. That said, it gets elements inspired by the A-Class hatchback such as the tail lamps and the dual-tone bumper with two exhaust tips, one on either side.

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Dimensions

• The standard version of the A-Class sedan is 130mm longer than the hatchback. However, it is 60mm and 81mm shorter than its LWB counterpart and the current-gen CLA, respectively.
• It is also 6mm taller than the hatchback but 14mm lower than the A-Class L sedan
• While the A-Class sedan is longer than the hatchback, both cars have an identical wheelbase, which is 60mm less than that of the A-Class L.

Engine

• The A-Class sedan will be offered with the same engine options as the fourth-gen A-Class hatchback, which is set to come to India next year.
• The A 200 variant will be powered by a 1330cc turbocharged petrol engine that makes 163PS of power and 250Nm of torque, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. This engine is also available in the A-Class L sedan, where it is offered in two states of tune - 135PS and 163PS. Mercedes co-developed this engine with the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance.
• The A 180 d, on the other hand, will get a 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine that generates 116PS and 260Nm, paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

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Interior and Features

• The A-Class sedan’s cabin is identical to that of the A-Class hatchback and the feature list also remains unchanged. It gets the dual-screen setup with three different configurations to choose from:
• Config 1: Two 7-inch screens for both the instrument cluster and infotainment system
• Config 2: A 7-inch screen for the instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch screen for infotainment
• Config 3: Two 10.25-inch screens for both the instrument cluster and infotainment
• The sedan also features the MBUX infotainment system that made its debut on the A-Class hatchback. The MBUX system offers touch and voice controls along with new ‘Mercedes me connect’ service which includes navigation functions based on Car-to-X communication, which can establish network connections among vehicles, between vehicles and with traffic infrastructure to enhance safety
• The A-Class is equipped with semi-autonomous driving which is made possible by systems such as active distance assist, active lane assist and active emergency stop assist. The sedan uses cameras and radar systems to see up to 500 metres ahead.

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Launch

• The A-Class sedan is likely to go on sale in global markets towards the end of 2018.
• It is likely to be launched in India by 2019. However, we expect it to be offered in its LWB avatar considering the popularity of the E-Class LWB here. The E-Class LWB too was initially a China-exclusive model.
• As confirmed earlier, the A-Class sedan will be imported to India as a CBU first and will be priced between the CLA (Rs 31.71 lakh to Rs 35.02 lakh) and the C-Class sedan (Rs 39.90 lakh to 45.40 lakh).

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