Photo: CarPix
There's always a bit of mystery concerning pre-production prototypes that drive across our spy photographers' camera lenses, but this camouflaged Mercedes-Benz A-Class has already unraveled some of them.
First of all, it is rather obvious from the adjacent photo gallery that the 2018 A-Class W177 is quite a bit longer and wider than the current W176 generation. In theory, this should mean that interior space and the luggage area should be much more accommodating.
Second of all, if you take a closer look at the top area of the windshield, you will notice not one, not two, not three, but no less than six different sensors and/or cameras. At least one of them is the light and rain sensor (probably), but the others are there to accompany a semi-autonomous system.
We are talking about stereo cameras and probably a LIDAR system that can check surrounding vehicles and objects more accurately. Mercedes-Benz has already jumped on the semi-autonomous bandwagon for a few years now, but not even the latest E-Class is fully autonomous yet, despite those commercials somewhat suggesting it.
The next generation of the A-Class is being developed on the MFA2 (Modular Front-wheel-drive Architecture 2) platform, which will make better use of high-strength steels and aluminum to shed a few pounds compared to the current model, despite being slightly larger.
The new platform will also be modular enough to spawn more models, including a sedan to battle the Audi A3 Sedan and the recently unveiled BMW 1 Series Sedan, and the GLB, which will be a more rugged compact SUV situated between the GLA and the GLC.
Most of the turbocharged four-cylinder will be carried over with modifications from the current A-Class, but the new model will also feature hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. In AMG spec there will be two versions, one to make the Audi S3 and BMW M140i sweat a bit and the full-blown A45 to up the ante to 400+ hp against the Audi RS3.
Expect the 2018 A-Class to be unveiled in production form at the end of 2017, most likely at the Frankfurt Auto Show, with deliveries starting in the first half of 2018.
Second of all, if you take a closer look at the top area of the windshield, you will notice not one, not two, not three, but no less than six different sensors and/or cameras. At least one of them is the light and rain sensor (probably), but the others are there to accompany a semi-autonomous system.
We are talking about stereo cameras and probably a LIDAR system that can check surrounding vehicles and objects more accurately. Mercedes-Benz has already jumped on the semi-autonomous bandwagon for a few years now, but not even the latest E-Class is fully autonomous yet, despite those commercials somewhat suggesting it.
The next generation of the A-Class is being developed on the MFA2 (Modular Front-wheel-drive Architecture 2) platform, which will make better use of high-strength steels and aluminum to shed a few pounds compared to the current model, despite being slightly larger.
The new platform will also be modular enough to spawn more models, including a sedan to battle the Audi A3 Sedan and the recently unveiled BMW 1 Series Sedan, and the GLB, which will be a more rugged compact SUV situated between the GLA and the GLC.
Most of the turbocharged four-cylinder will be carried over with modifications from the current A-Class, but the new model will also feature hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. In AMG spec there will be two versions, one to make the Audi S3 and BMW M140i sweat a bit and the full-blown A45 to up the ante to 400+ hp against the Audi RS3.
Expect the 2018 A-Class to be unveiled in production form at the end of 2017, most likely at the Frankfurt Auto Show, with deliveries starting in the first half of 2018.
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