2012 A-Class - Spy Shots

[KillerHERTZ]

Mercedes A-Class revealed in patent filing​

Our friends at the European Patent Office have leaked the first pictures of the 2012 Mercedes A-Class.

Previewed by the A-Class concept, the production model is a five-door hatchback with subdued styling. The overall design seems to mimic the BMW 1-Series, but the front end is distinguished by a long hood, LED-infused headlights and a two-bar grille.

No interior pictures were released, but Mercedes has indicated the car will have a luxurious cabin with a high-tech COMAND system that offers downloadable apps.

As we have previously reported, the A-Class will ride on the MFA platform and feature a variety of fuel efficient engines. Nothing is official, but the range-topping A25 AMG is expected to have a turbocharged 2.0-liter petrol that develops 320 hp (239 kW / 324 PS) to 350 hp (261 kW / 355 PS).

 

[artyman]

Apart from the grill it looks like a thousand other hatches, well reminds me of a fiesta actually.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

At last a car that your average under 30s male will want, a true rival to the 1 Series and A3.

 

[artyman]

Won't it possibly endanger the prestige of the brand, if to readily available to the lower orders

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Won't it possibly endanger the prestige of the brand, if to readily available to the lower orders

The existing orignal A-Class has been doing that for the past 12 years!

 

[Charles Morgan]

Yuck.

 

[trapperjohn]

Apart from the grill it looks like a thousand other hatches, well reminds me of a fiesta actually.

Spot on artyman. That design is a copy and fusion of just about every other small hatch that is knocking about.

Methinks ever hardcore current A Class owners will shun it.

 

[Adam230K]

The existing orignal A-Class has been doing that for the past 12 years!

And the B/C-Class

 

[snoop51]

Yuck.

+1

Spot on artyman. That design is a copy and fusion of just about every other small hatch that is knocking about.

Methinks ever hardcore current A Class owners will shun it.

It's the automotive equivalent of a modern kitchen design. All done on the same software = identikit products. Try spotting that at Tesco's car park in amongst the Fiestas, 1 series, etc.

Boring Boring Boring!

 

[rhud]

Spot on artyman. That design is a copy and fusion of just about every other small hatch that is knocking about.

Methinks ever hardcore current A Class owners will shun it.

Correct. They may get a few under-30s as it may be a better proposition than the appalling 1 Series. But they will lose a whole slew of older customers who don't want a car they have to be helped out of! Toyota Verso/Seat Altea/ Skoda Yeti/Golf Plus/C3 Picasso will be the beneficiaries.

 

[tpwuk]

I see Astra, 1 Series, Scirocco and nothing imaginative at all!

 

[timskemp]

That sector doesn't want imaginative, it wants economical, affordable and dependable cars, and with the number of MINI, 1 series and A1/A3 on the road likes the idea of "premium".

If it's quiet, comfy and feels special inside it'll have Audi worried, will need to drive nice to get people out of the 1 series though.

 

[grober]

I would guess the pictures portray the " body kitted" AMG/SPORT version. The lesser models may look more mundane. Two crucial factors --how well does it drive/ride quality, and the purchase price will finally influence its success against its market competitors.

 

[englishdas]

ugly, uninspiring, but a safe bet. I'm not sure about the sharp headlight corners, but i think i'd like to try them out on a few psychotic cyclists... I don't think they'll do well in the NCAP pedestrian safety ratings.

 

[hawk20]

At last a car that your average under 30s male will want, a true rival to the 1 Series and A3.

Good lord. Who on earth would want something as ugly and cramped as a BMW 1 series? When the A class uniquely offers the interior space of an E class, and the safety of an E class, in a car that is different from the endless array of undersized, cramped and lookalike hatches from other makers.

Are we to applaud Mercedes for turning the A class into something low and cramped just like everyone else's hatchback? Just dearer and that little bit uglier? And with most models having cut-price Renault engines.

 

[Gr8nt]

I like that car better when it was concept looked much better in a coupe YouTube - Mercedes-Benz.tv: Concept A-CLASS Teaser

 

[removed]

Good lord. Who on earth would want something as ugly and cramped as a BMW 1 series? When the A class uniquely offers the interior space of an E class, and the safety of an E class, in a car that is different from the endless array of undersized, cramped and lookalike hatches from other makers.

Precisely! All the plus points of current A class are gone ...

 

[Silentdeed]

The A class needed to be revived, not a bad change at all.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

2012 A-Class

2012 A-Class
​

The first spy shots available of the 2012 next-generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class

 

[Howard]

It's got a big long bonnet !!!

Where's the short squat A class we know and love ?