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.

Even though it is certain that next year’s production model will drop many of the striking details (just how many remains to be seen) and lose the aggressive proportions of the concept car, the general shape will be maintained.

Inside, the Concept A-Class has individual seating for four and an overly futuristic styling, which of course, will not pass into production. However, certain design elements such as the shape of the air-vents, steering wheel and instruments will inspire the road-going model, which will most likely be offered with a five-seat layout.

Underneath the sheetmetal, the Concept A-Class rides on a new front-wheel drive platform codenamed MFA, which is believed to stand for “Mercedes Front-wheel-drive Architecture”. The prototype is powered by a four-cylinder gasoline unit from Mercedes’ new M270 engine series and combines both direct-injection and turbocharging technology. The Concept A-Class is equipped with the 2.0-litre variant of the new engine, developing 210 hp, with power being transferred to the front wheels through Mercedes-Benz' new dual clutch transmission.

Other technical highlights include a radar-based collision warning system with adaptive Brake Assist and the daytime running lamps that consist of 90 optical fibres with aluminum sleeves, and are arranged in a wing-shape within the headlamp.

Along with the three-door hatchback previewed by this here concept, Mercedes-Benz officials recently said that the company is planning at least three more variants based on the A-Class' MFA architecture.

PHOTO GALLERY

Motoring Icons: A Tribute to BMW’s 1500 / 1800 / 2000 Series

In 1961 at the 40th Annual Frankfurt International Motor Show in Germany, Bavarian automaker BMW lifted the wraps off of two very special prototypes: the first of its 1500 “Neue Klasse” mid-sizers. For years, Beamer had been working on a new model to slot between its entry-level one and two cylinder cars and its more expensive, luxury-geared six and eight cylinder ones.

The result was a stylish four door sedan fitted with a 75 hp (56 kW) inline four, front disc brakes and weighing in at 2,095 lb (950 kg).

The design of the saloon was reminiscent of Italian cars, which shouldn’t come as a surprise given that, when developing the design of the 1500, BMW’s chief stylist Wilhelm Hofmeister had sought the advice of Giovanni Michelotti, who had already collaborated on the 700.

The crowd was instantly taken by it, and wait times to view the new model at the show lasted up to thirty minutes. Upon its reveal, one German automotive magazine commented:

“The BMW 1500 really has a great deal to offer that makes it stand out from the crowd of 1.5-litre cars and lends it that aura of technical exclusivity which for so many people is summed up by the three letters BMW. It is a visual feast in the gallery of saloons. But we would hope that this most beautiful of production saloons will one day also be on sale at the stated price.”

Launched in June 1962, the production variant featured a larger 80 hp (60 kW) four that was good for 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 16.8 seconds, a top speed of 150 km/h (93 mph) and a fuel economy rating of 9.5 lt per 100 kilometers (25 mpg). It was priced at DM 8,500 at a time when the annual income in Germany was around DM 6,723.

Reviews of the new car were favorable, especially from the motoring press. One magazine beamed:

“Two initial impressions from behind the wheel which are likely to strike anyone sitting in a BMW 1500 for the first time sum up this car: the agreeable seating position, offering excellent visibility, and the nimble handling which could almost lead you to believe you were driving something far smaller.”

In 1963, two 1.8-liter models were added to the range in the form of the 90 hp 1800 and 110 hp 1800 ti, the later handling the 0 to 100 km/h dash in 11 seconds. By 1965, the 100,000th “Neue Klasse” rolled over the production line and a 100 hp, 2.0-liter 2000 model was introduced. Four years later BMW capped off the range with a (then jaw-dropping) DM 14,290, 130 hp 2000 tii of which only 2,000 examples were built.

All in all, some 350,729 “Neue Klasse” models (1500, 1800 and 2000s) were built between 1963 and 1972, whereupon it was replaced by the even more successful 5-series sedan. It is well and truly, one of the greats.

By Tristan Hankins

PHOTO GALLERY