2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Spotted Testing
- The next-gen Mercedes-Benz A-Class is likely to be launched in 2018
- The car will receive a number of cosmetic updates and design changes
- Mechanically the car is likely to remain unchanged
Codenamed W177, the fourth generation of the A-Class has been extensively re-engineered. The current generation of the car is built on the MFA platform and the next-gen too will be built on the same albeit with a number of revisions which will see the use of aluminium in the floorpan which is basically to help in reducing the weight of the car and improve structural rigidity.
2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Rear Profile
The revised platform is called MFA2 and as we can see from the prototype which was caught testing, the new-gen A-Class has wider tracks and a longer wheelbase than the current generation and this means that we will see a revision in the overall dimensions of the car with an increase in cabin and boot space. The current generation of the A-Class has drawn a lot of flak for providing less leg room at the rear and boot but from what we can see, that problem might be resolved with the new one.
It's not just the A-Class that will benefit from the revised platform. We will see it underpin the successors of the B-Class, CLA and the GLA and possibly another SUV which is currently under development but there's no word from the company about it - the GLB. But considering what we've seen in this prototype, both the CLA and the GLA will benefit from the increase in space which will make it a better proposition.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class Will Be Built on a New Design Platform
On the engine front, we expect a few changes too as internationally, the A-Class might com with a 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre petrol engine, while the diesel will be a 1.5 or 2.0-litre. We'll see the 2.0-litre version of both the petrol and diesel but we'll see the aluminium block OM654 unit recently unveiled in the E-Class, in the latter, which will be a refreshing change. Transmission duties will be handled by a nine-speed dual-clutch transmission (which will replace the current 7-speed unit), but we do hope that the six-speed manual comes our way.
The cabin too will receive some upgradations as we'll see the 2018 A-Class equipped with the latest Command Infotainment system, Apple Car Play and Android Auto compatibility, as well as new services from Mercedes Me. Mercedes-Benz will continue to use the top to down approach and we'll see the new-gen A-Class borrow a bunch of equipment from the new E-Class as it shares the same electronic platform.
Image Source: Motor1
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