Next-gen Mercedes A-Class to debut at 2018 Geneva Motor Show in March

14/10/2017 - 12:48 Mercedes A-Class, Mercedes-Benz Sagar Parikh

Earlier reports said that the 2018 Mercedes A-Class will debut at IAA 2017, but that didn’t happen. Now, a fresh report from Autocar says that the 2018 Geneva Motor Show in early March will host the car’s world premiere.

2018 Mercedes A Class Spy Shot — The next-gen Mercedes A-Class range will have a more extended body and a longer wheelbase than now.

The 2018 Mercedes A-Class will mark the beginning of a new chapter for Mercedes-Benz’s compact car range. The fourth generation model would have sharper headlamps and tail lamps, inverted radiator grille, more aggressive lower grille and newly designed bumpers. Needless to say, it will feature inputs from the Mercedes Concept A Sedan.

The current Mercedes A-Class is 4,299 mm long, 1,780 mm wide and 1,433 mm tall. The next-gen Mercedes A-Class will have a longer body. Mercedes-Benz has used most of the length increment to stretch the wheelbase, which currently stands at 2,699 mm. Along with the extra interior space, more ease is possible to the entry and exit at the rear with the bigger door opening.

Mercedes-Benz’s latest technologies, including the dual-display setup for the seamlessly merging fully digital driver display and central display, new Comand 5 infotainment system with touch operation, redesigned steering wheel with touch operated controls and a host of new driver assistance systems teaming up for providing Level 2 autonomous driving functions will find their place in all-new Mercedes A-Class. The redesigned model should have the capability for steering and braking autonomously up to a designated limited.

The next-gen Mercedes A-Class will ride on the MFA2 platform, an updated version of the MFA. The range will start with the new M282 1.4-litre petrol engine co-developed with Renault. A 1.2-litre version of this engine also exists, although it’s unclear whether Mercedes-Benz will get to use it.

Above the 1.4-litre engine, the company will offer the M260 petrol engine in 1.6- and 2.0-litre displacements. The model with the most powerful iteration of this engine will feature benefit from mild-hybrid tech. The range will include up to three diesel models, all powered by the OM654 2.0-litre engine. Transmission choices will include updated versions of the current A-Class’ 6-speed manual and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic units, as well as 9-speed dual-clutch automatic. Select models will have the 4MATIC AWD option.

Mercedes-Benz plans to offer a plug-in hybrid variant of the fourth-gen Mercedes A-Class. This electrified A-Class’ powertrain should deploy the M282 1.4-litre petrol engine in combination with an electric motor housed in a 9-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The battery capacity is unknown, but it will offer a range of up to 31 miles (49.89 km).

The wild A 45 AMG variant will likely top the next-gen Mercedes A-Class range. The 2019 Mercedes-AMG A 45 4MATIC will sport an enhanced version of the M133 2.0-litre petrol engine to produce a maximum output of at least 400 bhp. This beastly engine, with more than 200 bhp per litre, will work with a 9-speed DCT and the 4MATIC AWD system. To lure more customers, Mercedes-AMG will offer a less potent model. The idea is the same as having Mercedes-AMG 43 range to slot below the Mercedes-AMG 63 range. The base AMG, possibly named A 32 4MATIC or A 36 4MATIC, may have the M260 engine under the hood, delivering more than 300 bhp.