Mercedes-Benz Shows Off 2013 A-Class Interior which Looks Just Like the B-Class

With only two weeks left for the grand opening of the 2012 edition of the Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz is commencing the official teasing phase of its next generation A-Class compact hatchback by dropping the first undisguised images of its Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series competitor.

The German automaker published two pictures of the new A-Class' interior, the center console and part of the dashboard of which look conspicuously similar to that of the latest B-Class small minivan that's already on sale in Europe.

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2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Five-Door Hatchback Filmed Totally Undisguised!

A bicyclist –no, we didn't make a mistake- captured footage of the all-new 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatchback while riding with his team from El Golfo to Playa Blanca on the Spanish island of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands.

It seems that the German premium carmaker was at the island to shoot video and pictures of the luxury compact model for its press material.

The A-Class seen here is the five-door hatchback model, which will be the first body style to be launched onto the market. Mercedes has already confirmed that the 5-door version will make its world premiere at the 2012 Geneva Auto Show in early March. A sportier looking three-door model will follow, possibly withing the next year.

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Mercedes-Benz to Build Second North American Plant in the U.S. or Mexico

Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche has made it clear that he wants Mercedes-Benz to become the number one premium manufacturer in the world, a title that for the time being belongs to its arch-rival BMW.

Last year, Mercedes sold 1.36 million units, around 300,000 less than BMW. According to Manager Magazin, Zetsche plans to reach the number one spot by almost doubling the three-pointed star’s production to 2.7 million vehicles by 2020 and increase its operating profit beyond 10 percent.

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Mercedes-Benz Video Teases 2012 A-Class Hatch, Launches New Interactive App

Like many other carmakers lately, Mercedes-Benz is preparing consumers for a new model debut through a dedicated app for smart phones. In the German firm's case, the new model is the upcoming 2012 A-Class premium hatchback, which will make its global premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

To make things a bit more interesting, we learn that Mercedes will put several camouflaged 2012 A-Class hatchbacks in circulation in various German cities as part of a competition that will see one contestant winning a trip to the car's unveiling in Geneva.

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SPIED: 2012 Mercedes A-Class Hatchback Stretches Out in the Snow

The upcoming third generation A-Class is one of the most interesting new vehicles currently being prepared by Mercedes-Benz and all for good reason as the only common factor it has with the current model is its name.

You see, the Stuttgart-based company decided to compete more directly with the BMW 1-Series and even the higher-end versions of the VW Golf and as a result, opted for a sportier looking hatchback body built on a conventional platform instead of the tall, minivan-like shape and sandwich floor of the first two generations of the A-Class.

These latest spy shots of a five-door prototype of the A-Class testing in Europe suggest that the development of the car is nearing its end as engineers have removed much of its camouflage. If you want to see what the final model will look like, you can check out the patent images we posted earlier this year.

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Infiniti’s Mercedes A-Class-based Compact Model to be Built by Magna Steyr

Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Japan’s second biggest automaker, wants Nissan's luxury brand, Infiniti, to have a 10 percent share in the premium segment, which amounts to 500,000 units.
The “Power 88” plan that Ghosn revealed last June calls for the rapid expansion of Infiniti, which is an established player in the U.S. market but almost non-existent in Europe: in 2010 it sold 4,500 units, a tenth of BMW’s January 45,000 sales…
Back in August, we revealed that Infiniti was preparing a small, entry-level premium model to compete with the likes of Audi’s A3 and BMW’s 1-Series, and that it would use another premium carmaker’s help: Mercedes Benz and its newly developed MFA platform employed by the 2012 A-Class.

SCOOP: 2013 Mercedes-Benz A Class AMG Debuts in Disguise

If Mercedes-Benz manages to keep the new A-Class under wraps, we will most likely get our first look at the five-door hatchback version at next month's Frankfurt auto show.

And while we're patiently waiting for the standard A-Class to be officially revealed, our spy photographers moved on to the next big thing from Mercedes as they managed to capture the flagship AMG model testing in Germany.

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SPIED: Armored-up 2012 Mercedes A-Class Completing Final Tests Before it Takes on the BMW 1-Series

Unlike its famed Bavarian rival, which at one point was almost absorbed by Mercedes-Benz, the Stuttgart automaker continues to cover up and hide its prototype models in chunky plastic armor instead of the psychedelic wraps used by the BMW Group and other carmakers these days.

The five-door hatchback you see pictured in these latest spy shots is the upcoming 2012 A-Class, which has been redesigned to offer Mercedes-Benz a more direct rival to the BMW 1-Series, Audi A3 and to a lesser extent, the Lexus CT 200h.

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SCOOP: 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class MPV is Same ol’ Same ol’…

Not too long ago, we brought you official design images of the brand new 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class sporting a five-door hatchback body styled after the impressive A-Class concept seen at the New York and Shanghai Auto Shows in April. Now we have some revealing spy shots of the upcoming 2012 B-Class minivan. Being that the next A-Class and its larger B-Class sibling belong to the same family, you would expect a similar design philosophy between the two models.

However, as these latest scoops demonstrate, that is not the case with the new 2012 B-Class. We had a very hard time telling the differences between the current B-Class and its successor, as the overall shape and styling of the small MPV have been kept intact. Nevertheless, the new B-Class is slightly longer than the current model, with the front and rear ends influenced by the latest crop of Mercedes-Benz cars and SUVs.

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All-New 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Hatchback Revealed in Patent Images

We first saw Mercedes-Benz’s intentions for the upcoming 2012 A-Class series at both the New York and Shanghai auto show in mid-April with the unveiling of a sexy-looking, three-door concept model, but now, we can offer you a look at the production version thanks to these images from the European patent office.

The model seen here is the five-door hatchback version of the new A-Class, which, if our sources are correct, will make its world premiere at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany this September. The production A-Class appears to be closely modeled after the concept version, albeit with less dramatic body surfacing and detailing. For example, the nose has been lifted up and is less aggressively styled than on the prototype study.

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Mercedes Debuts Striking A-Class Concept in New York, Confirms Production Version for North America

Following a world premiere at the Shanghai Auto Show earlier this week, Mercedes-Benz showed off its dynamic A-Class concept to the crowds of New York, and confirmed that the production model will head to North America.

In Europe, the production A-Class will launch next year. As for the US, Autonews reported that Joachim Schmidt, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Mercedes-Benz Cars, would not specify a time frame vaguely stating that the A-Class would arrive “some time in this decade.”

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VIDEO: Mercedes-Benz Explains the Design of the Concept A-Class

On Wednesday, Mercedes-Benz introduced an impressive design study for the next generation of the A-Class, heavily influenced by the brand's recent concept cars, mainly the F800 and the CLS Shooting Brake. Now, we have two new video of the concept model. In the first clip, exterior designer Mark Featherston, who worked on the Concept A-Class, explains the important styling features of the compact car in a short film released by Mercedes-Benz.

The German automaker also presented the first footage showing the Concept A-Class in motion and capturing the car's most appealing exterior and interior angles. Scroll down to watch both videos dedicated to the concept that previews Stuttgart’s upcoming rival to the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3.

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Mercedes Brings Sexy to the Compact Segment with New Concept A-Class, will be Revealed in Shanghai

Mercedes-Benz plans to show up at this month’s Shanghai Auto Show with a brand new concept for a spectacular looking A-Class model. While the Concept A-Class is just what its name says it is – a prototype study - it’s also a very good indication of where the company plans to take its BMW 1-Series and Audi A3 rival with the presentation of the next generation model that is scheduled to go on sale in 2012.

For starters, Mercedes is giving up the minivan-like silhouette of the current A-Class for a more dramatic and sporty looking two-box profile with a long bonnet and a low roof-line. The concept’s exterior design details are heavily influenced by Stuttgart’s most recent prototypes such as the CLS Shooting Brake and especially the F800.

Aside from the new nose with a prominent Mercedes grille, the three-door Concept A-Class also features concave surfaces with sweeping lines throughout the body.

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New Mercedes-Benz A-Class E-Cell with Battery Powered Electric Drive

Mercedes-Benz has taken the wraps off its all-electric A-Class E-Cell electric vehicle that will enter production this fall. The company plans to build 500 A-Class E-Cells and lease the car to selected customers in several European countries, including Germany, France and the Netherlands.

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Special Edition Mercedes A Class: Limited to 5,500 Units

Since Mercedes has nothing truly new to offer on its A-Class subcompact hatch, the German automaker decided to make a special edition version that comes equipped with an array of -yep, you guessed it- special features and extra equipment. On the outside, the A-Class "Special Edition 2009" is characterized by the black radiator louvres, 16-inch titanium silver light-alloy wheels in a new 9-spoke design shod in tires 195/55 R16 and a "Special Edition" badge on the mirror triangle.

Inside, passengers will be greeted by a two-tone color scheme in black and grey, velour floor mats with grey edging and an embroidered Edition label, leather covered multifunction steering wheel, shift/selector lever and parking brake handle and an upgraded audio system with CD player and Bluetooth hands-free.

The special edition version also comes equipped with a Light and Sight package that includes rain sensor, automatically dimming rear-view mirror, an illuminated vanity mirror in the sun visor, separately adjustable reading lights in the rear, a reading light for the driver and illuminated front footwells.

Production of the new A-Class Special Edition 2009 will be limited to 5,500 units.

2012 Mercedes-Benz GLA: New Compact SUV

On the cover of its August issue, German car magazine Autozeitung features a rendering of the forthcoming Mercedes-Benz GLA compact SUV that’s said to arrive in 2011 as a 2012 model. Although Mercedes-Benz hasn’t officially confirmed the GLA, back in June the German carmaker did announce that it will replace the current A and B-Class with four distinct compact-sized models. Having said that, a compact SUV seems totally reasonable especially since Audi and BMW are readying the Q3 and X1 compact-sized SUVs respectively.

Via: Autozeitung

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLA: “Baby” CLS Based on the A-Class

In it latest issue, German car magazine Autozeitung supports that one of the four distinct models that will replace the current A and B-Class in Mercedes-Benz’ compact car line-up (read more here) will be a four-door coupe named CLA. As you can see in the scanned picture above, Autozeitung’s artists came up with a CGI (computer generated image) to give us an idea of how a “baby” CLS model could look like. -Continued

While it is certain that Mercedes-Benz will abandon the costly sandwich structure of the A and B-Class in all four derivatives of its new compact car line-up, it remains unclear whether the German luxury carmaker will continue to use a front-wheel-drive set up or if it will opt for a rear-wheel-drive platform.

Via: Autozeitung

Mercedes Planning Electric A-Class with Lithium-Ion Batteries for 2010

Citing inside company sources, German newspaper “Automobilewoche” is reporting that Mercedes-Benz will market an electric version of the current A-Class in 2010. According to an unnamed senior manager in the automotive industry, the current generation A-Class’ sandwich construction with its double floor is ideal to fit the batteries without performing any serious modifications to the vehicle.

The newspaper also supports that Mercedes-Benz is currently in talks with Tesla for the supply of the lithium-ion batteries. Compared to nickel hydride units, lithium-ion batteries are not only more powerful but they also weigh less.

2009 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Facelift

Following the introduction of the 2009 B-Class a couple of weeks ago, Mercedes-Benz took the wraps off its restyled 2009 A-Class model today. The subtle exterior facelift includes new front and rear bumpers, redesigned headlamps, a new radiator grille and new tail-light crystals. Inside, Mercedes-Benz offers a new choice of upholstery fabrics along with a new aluminum trim for the dashboard.

Finally, while the 2009 model year A-Class will be offered with the same engine range, thanks to a series of improvements, the four-cylinder engines now consume up to seven percent less fuel than previously. The 2009 A-Class will be available in Mercedes-Benz dealerships this summer. –Image gallery after the jump

Mercedes-Benz Sells 500,000th 2nd-Generation A-Class

Three year’s after the market introduction of the second generation A-Class in September 2004 and Mercedes-Benz has managed to hit the half-a-million mark with its compact hatch. According to the German carmaker, apart from their home turf, the A-Class’ key markets include Italy, France and the UK. From the 500,000 units sold, about a third of the customers opted for the A 180 CDi diesel version while another third preferred the A150 petrol version. -Press release after the jump

Mercedes-Benz delivers 500,000th unit of the current A-Class to customer

· A-Class is an integral part of the Mercedes-Benz product range since 1997

· Customers enthusiastic about unique safety concept and versatility

· Market leadership in Germany and Italy maintained successfully

Stuttgart – Since the second generation of the A-Class was introduced to the market in September 2004, Mercedes-Benz has delivered 500,000 units of this compact and versatile model to customers. “Ten years ago, Mercedes-Benz created the premium compact class by introducing the A-Class,” said Dr. Klaus Maier, Executive Vice President Mercedes Car Group, responsible for Sales and Marketing. “Since then, the A-Class has become an integral part of our product range and laid the cornerstone for Mercedes-Benz’ leading position in this segment.”

The A-Class enjoys considerable customer appeal, particularly due to its unique safety concept, spacious interior and impressive versatility. The model is particularly successful in Germany and Italy, where Mercedes-Benz has been successful in maintaining its market leadership in this segment for years. Other key sales markets for the three and five-door versions of the A-Class are France and the UK. About a third of the A-Class customers opt for the fuel-efficient A 180 CDI diesel version (with fuel consumption of 5.2 liters per 100 kilometers) while another third purchases the A150 gasoline version (6.2 liters per 100 kilometers).

In March of this year, the renowned Öko-Trend institute awarded its automotive environmental certificate to the A-Class. According to the institute, the A-Class not only has excellent values for fuel consumption, exhaust emissions, and noise levels, but also stands out by virtue of its environmentally friendly production processes, materials, and logistics. The experts particularly praised the A 160 CDI, stating that “the Mercedes-Benz A 160 CDI can be deemed one of the most environmentally compatible vehicles with a conventional drive system. A holistic environmental concept that takes the vehicle’s entire lifecycle into account was already employed during the compact’s development phase. For example, numerous measures have reduced emissions during the production and vehicle operation of the new A-Class by about 17 percent compared to the predecessor model. With the new A-Class, Mercedes-Benz has set new ecological benchmarks for vehicles with conventional drive systems.” The A 160 CDI consumes 4.9 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, which translates into 128 grams of CO2.