BEIJING MOTOR SHOW: Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan outed
Long-wheelbase A-Class sedan revealed for China; shorter version for the rest of us to comeMercedes-Benz has revealed its first A-Class sedan, even before the paint has dried on its new A-Class hatch, which arrives in Australia in August.
The German car-maker has always said it would expand its small-car family, and the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class L sedan is the first proof of that.
Like the new A-Class hatch, the A-Class sedan is based on the new MFA II platform, which will also spawn new B-Class people-mover, CLA 'coupe', GLA crossover and all-new GLB SUV models.
However, although it looks like the fourth-generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatch from the B-pillars forward, it not only adds a boot with more luggage space but rides on a longer wheelbase and is longer overall.
Designed and built specifically for China in China, the new Mercedes A-Class L sedan is 190mm longer at 4609mm, rides on a 60mm longer (2789mm) wheelbase and can swallow 50 litres more cargo with a 420-litre boot.
But while the A-Class L is directed at buyers in the world's biggest new-vehicle market, Mercedes-Benz has confirmed it will reveal a shorter version for the rest of the world in the second half of 2018.
Expected to be sold here alongside the more coupe-like CLS sedan from next year, the short-wheelbase Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan should also share the new hatchback's sleeker, sportier front-end design with slimmer headlights.
Like the A-Class L, however, its rear-end looks more like that of a C-Class sedan, although it shares the hatchback’s two-piece tail-light design.
It’s unclear whether the SWB A-Class four-door, like its LWB cousin, will be available in both Sedan and Sport Sedan form (the latter adding a powerdomed bonnet) or with the same wheel sizes ranging between 16- and 19-inch.
The interior of the A-Class L appears to be identical to the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatch, bristling with tech via its MBUX infotainment array.
Voice recognition is a big part of the new car's interior and the sedan has been coded to understand Cantonese, Mandarin and even Sichuanese dialects. There's even augmented reality satellite-navigation, according to the German car-maker.
Power comes from either 1.3-litre or 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engines, both of which are paired with seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearboxes.
Built in conjunction with its Chinese partner, BAIC Motor, Mercedes-Benz's new A-Class L sedan is unlikely to be offered outside of China.
"With our Chinese customers' wishes and needs in mind, we developed the A-Class L sedan for the local market, which is the first and only long wheelbase model in the premium compact car segment," said Hubertus Troska, Daimler AG's chief in China.
"We believe it will promote our further growth as our fifth model produced locally at BBAC, and we will build it in China, for China together with our partner BAIC."
China is currently Mercedes-Benz biggest global market, with around 610,000 vehicles from the Germany company sold there in 2017.
The Mk4 A-Class hatch arrives here in August in A 200 form, which will be bookended in December by A 180 and A 250 models.
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