Mercedes-Benz has a few projects lined up for 2018 and Automotive News says it’s going to be a “busy year of product launches.” On the docket is a redesigned G-Wagen, updated CLS Coupe, a new AMG GT four-door coupe, and of course the North America spec new A-Class.

All of these new vehicles will be introduced in the next eight months and the fast release pace will continue down the road as Mercedes develop more cars in the future. In an interview with Automotive News, Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Dietmar Exler said he was especially excited about the upcoming A-Class. He’s expecting to see the sedan do “really well — probably at least as good, if not better, than the CLA did”.

Perhaps his speculation may prove to be true considering how many features the new A-Class sedan has to offer including a new multimedia system and driving assistance systems borrowed from the S-Class. The powertrain offerings are nothing to sneeze at either; an A180d diesel alongside A200 and A250 petrol models. Combined with a standard seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and the A180d can send 114 horsepower and 192lb-ft of torque to its front wheels. That’s enough for the A-Class to accelerate from 0-62mph in around 10.5 seconds.

Those in the United States hoping to see a hatchback version of the A class will be sorely disappoint to find out that the model won’t be appearing at your local dearship. “The old station wagon concept is not very popular in the U.S. You have to cater, to some extent, to the different customer styles in a market”, said Exler.

Seriously can't wait to see what the production A-Class ends up looking like because right now the hatch version sold overseas is an aging design.
The more they can include from the new S-Class the better this product will be.

The production A Class sedan will most likely be near identical to the 2019 A Class hatchback now available in Europe, but without the hatch. The old version is already outdated.


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Also, the A class sedan in a long wheelbase edition has been released in China. I expect the North American sedan to look almost exactly the same, but not as long.


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What I am wondering is if the American spec A250 will have the hood ridge lines like the A200L or not, like the 2019 A Class hatchback...

I heard that BMW has big plans to offer more higher performing models like the M4 GTS within other segments.

What are the chances we'll see Mercedes go head to head with them? With the A-Class?

If its just with more performance without factoring anything hybrid related then it won't be that great. Hybrid performance is where its at.