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Mercedes Plotting Model Below A-Class for 2022, Will Be Green

We look at Mercedes-Benz prototypes almost every other day, as the leading luxury automaker has a gigantic range that needs constant updating. But it seems that won't stop them from expanding into the tempting subcompact segment.
Mercedes Plotting Model Below A-Class for 2022, Will Be Green 5 photos
Photo: Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes Plotting Model Below A-Class for 2022, Will Be GreenMercedes Plotting Model Below A-Class for 2022, Will Be GreenMercedes Plotting Model Below A-Class for 2022, Will Be GreenMercedes Plotting Model Below A-Class for 2022, Will Be Green
That's right; the famous Mercedes subcompact rumor has returned! Many years ago, the company was supposed to be working on a car called X-Class, which was supposed to take on the MINI hatch. But this latest idea is entirely different, even though it's still a car that slots under the A-Class.

According to German magazine Auto Bild, the project is currently developed under the codenames A-City or A-Class Neo. It's derived from the same platform as the A-Class, which means it's probably not going to be very small, just like the Audi Q2 (A3-based) isn't a subcompact.

If it gets approved for production, the car could be launched around 2022 as a 3-door city car, though a 5-door body is also possible. Urban mobility has been a constant preoccupation of the Mercedes brand. The original A-Class from the early 2000s was Fiat 500-sized with an engine tucked under the dash. After that, we got the smart brand.

This new city car would cost from around €20,000, so about the same as the Audi A1. It will be offered with gasoline, hybrid and even fully electric powertrains as part of the EQ sub-brand. If successful, it would be followed by an A-Adventure model, a small crossover.

We're quite skeptical of this story since the Mercedes supermini has been around the rumor mill quite a few times. But Daimler does want to occupy every segment. It's the only premium automaker with a pickup truck right now. And even though superminis don't dominate the European sales charts like they used to, everything with a Mercedes badge seems to do well.

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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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