Mercedes Concept A-Class Revealed

[KillerHERTZ]

Mercedes Concept A-Class Revealed - Debut in Shanghai
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Press Release​

World premiere at the Auto Shanghai show (21 - 28 April 2011): Mercedes Concept A-Class: the first heartbeat of a new generation

Stuttgart/Shanghai. With the Concept A-Class, Mercedes-Benz is presenting a car that might have come from another planet: its expressive design symbolises concentrated dynamism. The technical highlights include a new, turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, a dual clutch transmission and a radar-based collision warning system with adaptive Brake Assist.

A long bonnet, a low silhouette and slim window areas: the proportions of the Concept A-Class suggest concentrated dynamism. The car's sporty appearance is given particular depth by the interplay between lines and surfaces. The wind and the waves, as well as aviation engineering, were the sources of inspiration for its designers.
But it is not only visually, but also technologically that the Concept A-Class is ushering in a new compact class era at Mercedes-Benz. This front-wheel drive model is powered by a four-cylinder petrol engine from the new M270 series. It was designed for transverse installation, and thanks to direct injection and turbocharging it offers a high performance potential together with minimal emissions and fuel consumption. The Concept A-Class is equipped with the two-litre variant of the new engine, developing 155 kW (210 hp). This BlueEFFICIENCY unit is combined with the new Mercedes-Benz dual clutch transmission.

As a world first in the compact class, the concept car features a radar-based collision warning system with adaptive Brake Assist, which lowers the risk of rear-end collisions. This assistance system, Collision Prevention Assist, gives a visual and acoustic warning to a possibly inattentive driver, and prepares Brake Assist for an absolutely precise braking response. This is initiated as soon as the driver emphatically operates the brake pedal.
Defined edges and a free interplay with the body surfaces

The exterior design of the Concept A-Class features the combination of defined edges and free interplay with the body surfaces the Mercedes-Benz first showed in the F 800 Style. The side view is structured by three prominent lines: the front structural edge above the front wing forms a dropping line, while the prominent shoulder muscle above the rear axle underlines the car's coupé-like character. A further line extends upwards from the rear wheel arch in a sweeping curve.

The front end of the Concept A-Class is a real eye-catcher. The brand logo appears to be surrounded by a starry sky. Where there are usually apertures or louvres, the radiator grille consists of numerous metallic silver "dots" on black stems. This theme is reflected in the design of the wheels. A very special effect is created by the lights of the Concept A-Class, as the innovative full-LED high-performance headlamps repeat the starry sky motif with numerous lighting points. The daytime running lamps consist of 90 optical fibres with aluminium sleeves, and they are arranged in a wing-shape within the headlamp.

In the interior of the Concept A-Class the eye is immediately drawn to the dashboard, which has the shape of an aircraft wing and a translucent, stretchable textile lining. The enables the bionic, cellular structure of the component to remain visible.

The shape of the air vents in the dashboard is reminiscent of a jet aircraft engine. The prominent displays in the instrument cluster are in red. Their appearance is inspired by the afterburner of a jet engine. The central control unit is designed as a modern flight panel, with the shift lever taking the form of a "reverse thrust control".

A smartphone is fully integrated into the operating concept of the Concept A-Class. All the applications, services and features of a digital lifestyle can therefore be operated via COMAND Online. The visual presentation of the display screen elements is unique and revolutionary. Dynamically varied glass elements are illuminated by magenta-coloured light to form three-dimensionally arranged navigation levels.

 

[whitenemesis]

VX Astra?

 

[Howard]

Hideous .

When Chris Bangle left BMW where did he go ? Mercedes ?

The side lines look like a BM 1 series.

 

[Blackman]

The wheels are nice. The back reminds me of a Mazda 6.

But anyway, what's the point of a 2 door A-Class?

 

[KillerHERTZ]

But anyway, what's the point of a 2 door A-Class?

To compete with the 1 series, A3 etc

 

[MOCAŠ]

But anyway, what's the point of a 2 door A-Class?

There's no shortage of 3-door hatchbacks out there - someone must be buying them (including the current W169 A Class).

 

[Blackman]

There's no shortage of 3-door hatchbacks out there - someone must be buying them (including the current W169 A Class).

Well, MB had the CLC, but they have recently stopped the production for it and now it seems they want to replace it with this.

 

[WDB124066]

God there are some good bits on this car.

The Chinese will LOVE it!

 

[dtr]

Overall the design is nice, but this looks like Astra or Audi A3, and probably has very similar (and too small) dimensions and too little space. They should really develop the current A class to be more reliable and technologically advanced car. I would rather get a C-Max instead of this ^.

 

[grober]

Very VW Scirroco-ish in proportions and layout right down to the transverse FWD and individual rear seats. Quite Mazda /Oriental / lots of creases type styling -too fussy for my taste. Is this the further influence of CLS designer Korean Hubert Lee I wonder. In the meantime Kia are using former Audi stylist Peter Schreyer for their recent Sportage which has stolen a stylistic march of at least a year on Range Rovers's great white hope the Evoke. Maybe there's a stylistic swap east to west going on/ Any chance of the next E class looking like this?

 

[d w124]

The side lines look like a BM 1 series.

The front maybe but looking at the rear looks more like an Alfa

 

[WDB124066]

Very VW Scirroco-ish in proportions and layout right down to the transverse FWD and individual rear seats. Quite Mazda /Oriental / lots of creases type styling -too fussy for my taste. Is this the further influence of CLS designer Korean Hubert Lee I wonder. In the meantime Kia are using former Audi stylist Peter Schreyer for their recent Sportage which has stolen a stylistic march of at least a year on Range Rovers's great white hope the Evoke. Maybe there's a stylistic swap east to west going on/ Any chance of the next E class looking like this?

I agree with you Graeme, there is defiantly an East/West swap going on, check out the latest Ferrari flagship - screams of Hot Hatch.

I just wish the European designers would concentrate on knocking out cracking EUROPEAN designs. Forget trying to woo the East by copying their designs too much, they will loose respect for somebody copying them. The reason why they like European cars is because of the solid build and the European styling, simple as that – (oh and maybe a small class factor). That is why they are using European designers & with some success too I might add. Have you noticed there are some nice looking Korean cars around lately? I just hope MB’s don’t start looking like they were designed and built in Asia; rather they carry on traditionally please.....

Anyway, I like those seats.

 

[Cabe]

I......don't hate it.

 

[rhud]

A mish-mash. If you give designers their head they will always give you more design than you actually want. Along with impracticality. And the strategy is not without risk. They will lose the current A Class customer base (2+ million sold to gimmers like me) and may find it difficult to dislodge BMW and Audi. Pity that they took 12 years to get the A Class right and are now ditching it.

 

[verytalldave]

It will never see my money.
Its over-styled as are too many current cars.
Style over substance.
But it will probably sell well.

 

[hawk20]

I think that is the ugliest car I've ever seen. Looks like one of those awful creatures dredged up from the deepest oceans. Yuk.

And I'm a fan of the A class and have owned two of them. What is the point of simply apeing the low, cramped hatchbacks of which there are already so many. The current A class is unique; it offers the same interior space as an E class, and a high driving position which most owners like about it. And its sandwhich floor offers amazing safety in a crash.

Instead we are to have an ugly, Chris Bangle look-a-like, with Renault engines. If I wanted a Renault I'd buy one at Renault prices. Yes there will be a couple of Mercedes engines but only on the top of the range models, no doubt at the silly prices that killed the bigger engines in the existing A class.

 

[removed]

@hawk20 - Precisely!
The high driving position and sandwich design is what attracted me, particularly considering the state of the road infrastructure here ... Next one I would love to get an E-Cell A class, if they ever come out RHD - the island is only 21x7 - ideal for an electric car, but I doubt I'd be even looking at this one ...

 

[grober]

Folks should be aware that the new MB/ Renault FWD platform will spawn a possible 4 versions--- a conventional hatchback, a people carrier, a mini 4x4/crossover, and a sports coupe. I assume this is a design example of the sports coupe version. VW Golf/Golf plus/Scirocco/ Tiguan anyone?? The A series sandwich floor was junked because its simply too expensive to make although ironically it was designed to hold batteries as the original A class was designed to be electric or hybrid .

 

[MOCAŠ]

I think that is the ugliest car I've ever seen.

Really?

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/spot...lsanne-unique-one-off-vehicle-customized.html

 

[dtr]

Folks should be aware that the new MB/ Renault FWD platform will spawn a possible 4 versions--- a conventional hatchback, a people carrier, a mini 4x4/crossover, and a sports coupe..

I didn't see that anywhere. So this will be a Clio / Megane junk with a star and MB price tag? Oh dear. I hope they don't ruin the B class next.