Mercedes A and B Class to go RWD

Coupes, Cabrios, Hatchback and MPVs

Current Mercedes A Class facelift
by Frank de Leeuw van Weenen
June 5, 2008 5:00 PM
Filed Under: German, Mercedes-Benz

The Mercedes A and B Class have just undergone their mandatory facelifts and the first rumors have risen around the mini and small car from the German marque.

A German newspaper recently spoke with Mercedes Board Members who stated that Mercedes is “working on a complete new concept” for the two smallest cars in the manufacturers range. The next generation A and B Class will be based on a shortened rear-wheel-drive C Class platform.

The mini and small car segment is becoming ever more competitive and Mercedes is eager to claim its piece of the pie with a wider line-up in the market. Mercedes is contemplating to offer a small coupe, hatchback, cabriolet, MPV and even a mini-SUV. Competition for the B Class include the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, Volvo C30 and the upcoming Saab 9-2 whereas the A Class will compete with the new Alfa MiTo and upcoming Audi A1.

Insiders expect to see the next generation A and B Class by 2011 in both Europe and the US. The new range will have its victims though, the Mercedes C-Class Sport Coupe will most likely be discontinued around the launch date.

Source: 4Car
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Comments

afterace2
June 5, 2008 5:11 PM
IMO they should make those cars lower and more sleek, because right now they rather look like an MPVs. On the other hand they already have the CLC and another two cars of this sort would be too much.

boyke69
June 11, 2008 5:14 PM
i think they should stop producing the CLC, unless they make a new one using the new W204 platform, and focus on making the A an B class more sleek on a RWD platform.

alessandro
June 5, 2008 7:53 PM
Not bad idea at all

THERENAISSANCEMAN
June 5, 2008 9:18 PM
what could be the rationale behind this drive relocation scheme ?

Emrys_Myrddin
June 6, 2008 1:18 AM
Uhhmmm... maybe replying to the BMW s1 handling and performance, no? I think it's a smart choice.

alessandro
June 6, 2008 1:16 PM
Better or even exhilarating to drive, and yet to take away some share of market nated only by BMW 1-series and build up a sporty (ultra)compact premium car nishe in the market. So I repeat myself, good idea, large market sector ahead. I will buy one, little as a SLK but 4 places, nice.

alessandro
June 6, 2008 1:22 PM
Ah, jaa. Lancia "Fulvia" and Renault Megane Coupe could be toned up in same way.

GranTurismo
June 6, 2008 3:43 PM
You're right Alessandro. That'll be a rollicking good idea!!!

alessandro
June 6, 2008 8:19 PM
Thanks GranTurismo, Americans will like them too and not only Mercedeses as I realized in comments on Fulvia. Nice isn't it.

localized
June 9, 2008 4:36 AM
I heard Ernst lieb (President & CEO of MBUSA) say that the A and B Class would not sell in the US market. He said variants might make it some day. Here's to someday.

NaBUru38
June 9, 2008 7:44 PM
"right now they rather look like an MPVs"

Er... they are!

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