Nother CarGuy

Mercedes-Benz keeps expanding its most compact model line – and this is the latest. It’s the new A-Class sedan, and it’s running full-speed ahead to the North American market. Previously revealed in long-wheelbase form for the Chinese market and as a hatchback for Europe, the new standard-wheelbase A-Class sedan sits alongside the CLA four-door coupe and underneath the larger C-Class sedan. It’s the Silver Star automaker’s rival to the Audi A3 that was similarly be-trunked with US customers in mind, and boasts a rather slippery shape to cheat the wind of its aerodynamic drag. At 179.1 inches (4,549 mm) long and riding on a 107.4-inch (2,729-mm) wheelbase, the standard-wheelbase model is 2.3 inches (60 mm) shorter than the version being made in China – but it still packs everything that Daimler could throw at it. The subcompact luxury sedan features the latest MBUX infotainment system and a full suite of driver-assistance and safety systems – including GPS-enabled...

Produced exclusively by the Daimler – BAIC Motor joint venture, the China-only A-Class L Sedan brings CLS styling and S-Class safety tech to the compact 4-door segment. Mercedes will eventually unveil another version of the saloon, tailored specifically to customers outside of China, sometime in the second half of the year. It’s likely that car will drop the ‘L’ designation and be known simply as the A-Class Sedan. According to Mercedes, the Chinese A-Class L Sedan features highlights such as multiple innovative driving assistance systems borrowed from the S-Class, as well as the MBUX system’s intelligent voice control with natural speech recognition, which is of course proficient in various Chinese dialects, including Sichuanese and Cantonese. With regards to styling, the A-Class L Sedan is meant to reflect the “purist, surface-accentuating design” of the automaker’s latest design philosophy, dubbed Sensual Purity. It reflects in the short overhangs (front and rear),...

Mercedes-Benz is one week away from officially welcoming a new member in its compact family: the first-ever A-Class Sedan. Joining its hatch sibling, the four-door derivative will say hello to the world from the Beijing Auto Show, otherwise known as Auto China 2018.  According to the automaker, it’s a car “produced in China for China”, which “underlines the relevance of the Chinese market for Mercedes-Benz“. Nevertheless, the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan will be launched outside the People’s Republic, too, and it’s the one coming to the United States, unlike the hatchback, though Canada will get this one too. We’ll probably see it on U.S. shores before the end of the year, borrowing some of the gasoline engines of its five-door sibling. It’s likely that all North American models will be offered with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. It’s unknown exactly what powertrains will power the US-spec, but we could be looking at the 160hp and 184lb-ft (250Nm) of torqu...

Mercedes-AMG is set to regaining the hot hatch crown with the all-new A45, based on the third generation A-Class. Speaking to journalists present at the Geneva Motor Show, AMG chief, Tobias Moers confirmed what everyone already knew: the car will arrive with over 400 horsepower, from a new turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, TheMotorReport reveals. “It’s going to be 400+ horsepower. What we are doing for the next generation (A45) is we’re engineering a brand new engine, a 2.0-liter engine that is everything new – nothing common with the existing one“, said Moers. “But that doesn’t make sense unless you have driving dynamics equal – I’m not a fan of over-powered cars.” So, in addition to the new powertrain that brings the upcoming AMG A45 into a different league, the hot hatch will also benefit from other mechanical upgrades. Thus, expect the ever present 4Matic AWD system, tweaked chassis, steering and brakes, in addition to other work carried beneath the new sheet metal, including...

The new-generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class has finally been unveiled, boasting more sophisticated looks compared to its predecessor, more efficient engines and plenty of modern safety and convenience tech. As far as styling is concerned, the new A-Class represents a next step in Mercedes‘ design philosophy of Sensual Purity. Gone are the aggressive lines of the third-generation model, replaced by a more elegant and mature aesthetic, similar in design to the all-new CLS. Helping the new A-Class stand out is its progressive front end design, characterized by the low bonnet, flat LED headlights with chrome elements and the torch-like DRLs. Compared to its predecessor, the bonnet of the new model slopes down more heavily, giving the front end a more dynamic appearance. Meanwhile, larger wheel arches (for 16 to 19-inch alloys) help the new A-Class look more purposeful on the road. The rear end design does its part too, giving off the impression that the car is more musc...