2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class L Sedan Previews the Regular Sedan : Comments

[William Maley]

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The next model in Mercedes-Benz's compact assault has been revealed. On the eve on Auto China, Mercedes-Benz unveiled the Chinese market A-Class L sedan. L stands for long-wheelbase. Compared to the standard hatchback, the L sedan adds 2.4-inches to the wheelbase - all of it going to rear seat passengers.

There isn't much difference in terms of the design between the A-Class sedan and hatchback. Right up until the rear doors, both models share a large grille, trapezoidal headlights, and bold lines along the side. Around back, the sedan gets a narrow trunk lid and the roofline isn't lowered - that will be saved for the upcoming CLA. The interior is the same as the hatchback with a modern design and Mercedes' new MBUX infotainment system.

Power will come from either a turbocharged 1.33L three-cylinder engine producing either 134 or 161 horsepower, or a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder with 188 horsepower. Both engines come paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. 

Mercedes-Benz is expected to debut the standard A-Class sedan sometime later this year.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

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New member of the compact-class family: World premiere of the A-Class L Sedan

Stuttgart/Beijing. Shortly before the first A-Class hatchbacks reach customers in Western Europe in May, a new variant of the compact-class family - in the guise of the A-Class L Sedan - will already be celebrating its premiere at Auto China (25 April to 4 May 2018) in Beijing. The notchback model being presented there features a 6 cm longer wheelbase (2789 instead of 2729 mm) and is a variant developed solely for the Chinese market. This A-Class model is being produced exclusively at Beijing Benz Automotive Co., Ltd (BBAC), a joint venture between Daimler and its Chinese partner BAIC Motor. The market launch in China is scheduled for the second half of 2018. A version of the sedan tailored to the needs of customers outside China will likewise launch in the second half of the year.

With the latest design language characterised by clear structures and sensual surfaces, the high level of safety thanks to the innovative driving assistance systems featuring S‑Class functions and the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system, the Chinese A‑Class L Sedan boasts all of the virtues of the new compact-class family from Mercedes-Benz. One highlight is the intelligent voice control of the MBUX system with natural speech recognition: it is proficient in various Chinese dialects, including Sichuanese and Cantonese.

“With our Chinese customers’ wishes and needs in mind, we developed the A‑Class L Sedan for the local market, which is the first and only long wheelbase model in the premium compact car segment,” said Hubertus Troska, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Greater China. “This long wheelbase version offers added space, with a rear compartment dedicated to meeting local preferences. And given our customers in China are young and connected, our new, intuitive MBUX telematics system gives them a highly individualized digital experience. With these highlight features and more, the A‑Class L Sedan is an excellent choice for our Chinese customers. We believe it will promote our further growth as our fifth model produced locally at BBAC, and we will build it in China, for China together with our partner BAIC.”

In 2017 China was once again the largest sales market for Mercedes-Benz and smart. Customers in Mainland China took delivery over 610,000 vehicles last year, more than ever in a single year (+25.9%). In total, around 430,000 units were produced locally in 2017, which corresponds to more than two-thirds of the total sales volume in China.

More than six million compact models have already been delivered to customers in around 170 markets. Following the great success of the last compact-class generation – Mercedes-Benz sold more than 620,000 compact vehicles globally in 2017 alone – currently the company is gradually extending the new compact-car family to eight members. The A‑Class hatchback and the Chinese variant of the A‑Class Saloon are the first two representatives of the new generation.

About the Chinese A-Class L Sedan

The A-Class L Sedan also reflects the purist, surface-accentuating design of the latest Mercedes-Benz design philosophy of Sensual Purity. The compact saloon has very short overhangs at front and rear, which, in combination with the side feature line, reinforces the sporty image. As on the hatchback model, the front end design looks very progressive. Contributing to this impression are the low, drawn-out bonnet, flat headlamps with chrome elements, and torch-like daytime driving lights - plus the diamond radiator grille with single louvre, chrome pins, and central star. There is a choice of Sedan and Sport Sedan versions, with the latter featuring powerdomes on the bonnet.

The greenhouse, which sits far back, and the compact rear end emphasise the sportiness of the vehicle. The wheels (in sizes 16 to 19 inches) fit flush in the wheel arches, which, like the strongly pronounced shoulders in the rear area, gives the vehicle a square stance on the road.

The two-piece tail lights emphasise the width. The reflectors have been repositioned lower down in the bumper to allow the tail lights to benefit from a particularly flat design. Rose gold is an exclusive paint finish planned for the Chinese market.

As in the hatchback model, the interior is a completely new departure, revolutionising the compact class from the inside with a new feeling of spaciousness. The interior architecture along with the displays and controls is an avant-garde USP in this segment. For the first time a cowl above the cockpit has been completely dispensed with. As a result, the wing-shaped main body of the dashboard with its trim level extends from one front door to the other with no visual discontinuity.

Below this main body is a low-lying section, the so-called wing. The wing appears to float, as there are no connections or shape transitions to the surrounding area. The ambience lighting with up to 64 colours reinforces this effect and is a new interior experience, also for Chinese customers. The wing also forms the basis for the turbine-look air vents, which are embedded in trim, and the completely free-standing widescreen display.

On board is the MBUX multimedia system - Mercedes-Benz User Experience - with unique learning abilities thanks to artificial intelligence. Of course, the popular WeChatMyCar app is integrated. MBUX makes it possible for the first time for two or more users to connect simultaneously to the system. The intelligent voice control with natural speech recognition is proficient in various Chinese dialects, including Sichuanese and Cantonese. Mercedes-Benz is the world's first automotive manufacturer to provide navigation display featuring augmented reality technology on the Chinese market.

When developing the Chinese A-Class L Sedan (length/width/height: 4609/1796/1460 mm) a focal point was the kneeroom for rear passengers. As a result, at 2789 mm, the wheelbase is 60 mm longer than in the hatchback model (2729 mm). The boot has a capacity of 420 litres.

At the market launch, the A-Class L Sedan will be available in China with the state-of-the-art all-aluminium four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1.33 litres with power outputs of 100 and 120 kW (with cylinder shut-off); following later will be the 2‑litre four-cylinder engine with CONICSHAPE trumpet honing and CAMTRONIC variable valve timing. In China, the latter engine has an output of 140 kW. The 7G‑DCT dual clutch transmission comes as standard.

Of course on the Chinese market the A‑Class L Sedan also boasts the very latest driving assistance systems with cooperative driver support, giving it the highest level of active safety in this segment with functions adopted from the S‑Class.

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[Drew Dowdell]

That is a pretty decent improvement in profile. Now it looks more like a shrunken Sable instead of a shrunken Taurus.  The interior looks like a good upgrade too,. 

[balthazar]

• OK, so this is a China-only model that's the exact same size as the CLA. Did they fix the catastrophically small back seat?

• Any pricing info yet?

• Shame that MB again pasted the S-class nose on another dirt-cheap compact car. Dilution for dollars.

[Robert Hall]

So it's M-Bs answer to the Corolla, Civic, Cruze, Fusion, Jetta, etc.     4cyl FWD appliance.  So will NA get the regular wheelbase or the long wheelbase? 

6 minutes ago, balthazar said:

• OK, so this is a China-only model that's the exact same size as the CLA. Did they fix the catastrophically small back seat?
a

Note the article said this is the long wheelbase 'L' model, so more rear leg room.

Edited April 25, 2018 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[ccap41]

I wouldn't call anything with a starting price in the US of $32,700 "dirt cheap". 

[balthazar]

Maybe- this 'L' is the same length as the CLA. Maybe the non-'L' A has LESS than the CLA.

[ccap41]

2 minutes ago, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

Note the article said this is the long wheelbase 'L' model, so more rear leg room.

Yeah, 7 inches seems like quite a bit as well. Nice. 

[Robert Hall]

8 minutes ago, balthazar said:

Maybe- this 'L' is the same length as the CLA. Maybe the non-'L' A has LESS than the CLA.

Where are you getting that it's the same length as the CLA?  The article says the wheelbase is 2.4 inches longer  than the regular A class (current CLA has the same wheelbase as the A class hatchback).   The new A class hatchback has a wheelbase 1.1 inches longer than the current A class.  No idea how the next CLA will be sized. 

8 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

Yeah, 7 inches seems like quite a bit as well. Nice. 

2.4 inches longer wheelbase.

 

To clarify the realities--the new A-class hatchback and sedan have a 107.4 inch wheelbase, the China-only L has a 109.8 inch wheelbase.  The current gen CLA has a 106.3 inch wheelbase.   Presumably, there will be a 2nd gen CLA coming, and NA will get one of the A-class sedans. 

Edited April 25, 2018 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[G. David Felt]

WOW, Talk about a mini S model with a tacky cheap ass Dash. Has that Terrible Floating Screen on the dash that SMK knocks everyone about coping MB on and the air vents look like a sphincter.

This is what 21st century entry level cheap luxury looks like? ?

PASS 

[ccap41]

14 minutes ago, balthazar said:

Maybe- this 'L' is the same length as the CLA. Maybe the non-'L' A has LESS than the CLA.

I converted the length here to what's on MB's US site and our current CLA is an inch longer overall. This thing not in "L" form must be TINY!

[Robert Hall]

Just now, dfelt said:

WOW, Talk about a mini S model with a tacky cheap ass Dash. Has that Terrible Floating Screen on the dash that SMK knocks everyone about coping MB on and the air vents look like a sphincter.

This is what 21st century entry level cheap luxury looks like? ?

PASS 

Well, it's just a FWD 4cyl compact lease appliance...think Cruze/Jetta/Focus/etc w/ a fancier badge. 

Just now, ccap41 said:

I converted the length here to what's on MB's US site and our current CLA is an inch longer overall. This thing not in "L" form must be TINY!

Yeah, the 'coupe' roofline and decklid of the CLA makes the body longer...

[ccap41]

2 minutes ago, dfelt said:

Has that Terrible Floating Screen on the dash

This is floating to you? 

3 minutes ago, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

Well, it's just a FWD 4cyl compact lease appliance...think Cruze/Jetta/Focus/etc w/ a fancier badge. 

Yeah, the 'coupe' roofline and decklid of the CLA makes the body longer...

So it should be roomier than the CLA while being a tad shorter overall(assuming it is largely in part of longer wheelbase)? 

[Robert Hall]

Not sure if I'd call it floating, but it's not an integrated design, just a flat tablet-like screen stuck against the dash.  Boring  

I'd assume it's roomier w the longer wheelbase, that's the point of a longer wheelbase. China likes bigger rear seat areas  since they often have drivers.  

[Robert Hall]

45 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

I wouldn't call anything with a starting price in the US of $32,700 "dirt cheap". 

A bit pricey, but there is nothing 'luxury' about a compact FWD transverse 4cyl econobox w/ 134 or 161 hp--that's low, common, generic and fecal IMO.

Edited April 25, 2018 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[balthazar]

25 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

I converted the length here to what's on MB's US site and our current CLA is an inch longer overall. This thing not in "L" form must be TINY!

Right: 181" vs. 182". And the 181" 'L' is the longer version. Base A must be in the size tier of a Sonic! WTF is MB doing down in these classes?? What is this doing to build / maintain their reputation?

CLA has poor packaging relative to others in it's size class, so the question remains; wonder if they improved the packaging for China, a market which prefers roominess?

- - - - -

$32K is below the average price paid in the USDM for a new vehicle, shouldn't mercedes be above that bar?

Edited April 25, 2018 by balthazar

[Robert Hall]

3 minutes ago, balthazar said:

Right: 181" vs. 182". And the 181" 'L' is the longer version. Base A must be in the size tier of a Sonic! WTF is MB doing down in these classes?? What is this doing to build / maintain their reputation?

 

 

The current A hatchback is like 169 inch length..I assume the new A regular length sedan is 2.4 inches shorter than the L, so 178.6 inches or thereabouts.. 

[ccap41]

14 minutes ago, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

A bit pricey, but there is nothing 'luxury' about a compact FWD transverse 4cyl econobox w/ 134 or 161 hp--that's low, common, generic and fecal IMO.

Correct but that's anything but dirt cheap for a car that size. 

[balthazar]

That has GOT to be a wildly unprofitable approach- to build 2 cars a mere 2 inches apart, and go thru all that engineering, testing, certification, different parts, etc etc, instead of just building the L. Who considering a car 178" long would just balk and declare 'Oh, if ONLY it was 176" long!'

[Robert Hall]

Building LWB variants of compact and midsize models for China is pretty common.  

[ykX]

4 minutes ago, balthazar said:

Right: 181" vs. 182". And the 181" 'L' is the longer version. Base A must be in the size tier of a Sonic! WTF is MB doing down in these classes?? What is this doing to build / maintain their reputation?

$32K is below the average price paid in the USDM for a new vehicle, shouldn't mercedes be above that bar?

I don't think A-class makes much sense in US, even though I see quite a few of them around, mostly people buying for the badge (like most other similar "luxury" cars from other manufacturers).

But I think these small cars make all the sense in Europe.  I just came back from Italy and even C-class looks huge on the streets there.  Most cars from MB and BMW I saw there were A-class and 1-series

[ccap41]

HATCHBACKS FTW! 

[Robert Hall]

Yeah, i definitely understand their place in Europe (and similarly Asia). I drove around southern Italy years ago in the original generation mouse-shaped A-class (which had no pretense of luxury--it was a functional subcompact).    It's hard to wrap my head around fwd 4cyl economy cars being remotely 'luxury', but badge-chasers seem to view them that way.  I'd rather have a Golf if I were going for a FWD 4cyl compact. 

Edited April 25, 2018 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[ykX]

1 minute ago, ccap41 said:

HATCHBACKS FTW! 

At least 80% if not more cars there are small hatchbacks, Fiesta size and no larger than Focus.  Fiestas are quite popular there btw.

[Robert Hall]

5 minutes ago, ykX said:

I don't think A-class makes much sense in US, even though I see quite a few of them around, mostly people buying for the badge (like most other similar "luxury" cars from other manufacturers).

But I think these small cars make all the sense in Europe.  I just came back from Italy and even C-class looks huge on the streets there.  Most cars from MB and BMW I saw there were A-class and 1-series

I remember how huge Grand Cherokees and Tahoes looked in Rome and Milan on my trips to Italy. 

[ykX]

Just now, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

I remember how huge Grand Cherokees and Tahoes looked in Rome and Milan on my trips to Italy. 

Yep, I saw few Grand Cherokees in Rome and they look like Escalades there.  Funny but Renegade is very popular there, I guess the right size and it looks different than most other small hatchbacks and small CUVs

[Robert Hall]

3 minutes ago, ykX said:

Yep, I saw few Grand Cherokees in Rome and they look like Escalades there.  Funny but Renegade is very popular there, I guess the right size and it looks different than most other small hatchbacks and small CUVs

I'll never forget literally across the street from the Colleseum was a dark blue GC and a dark blue Tahoe parallel parked with Fiats in front and behind...strangers in a strange land.  I did see plenty of Jeeps in the UK and Europe on various trips from '00-06, though...XJs, Wranglers, GCs, Libertys (ie. Cherokees in Europe).   Mixed in w/ the occasional Voyager, Sebring convertible, Neon, Explorer, Chrysler 300...

Edited April 25, 2018 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[smk4565]

2 hours ago, balthazar said:

• OK, so this is a China-only model that's the exact same size as the CLA. Did they fix the catastrophically small back seat?

• Any pricing info yet?

• Shame that MB again pasted the S-class nose on another dirt-cheap compact car. Dilution for dollars.

I think this new A-class looks quite sharp, the inside looks good too compared to others in the segment.  I think this will do well in China and in Europe with the small streets as others have mentioned. 

Doesn't look like an S-class...

[G. David Felt]

@ccap41 SMK had called this same type of screen sitting on the dash a floating screen. I was quoting him. LOL

[ccap41]

16 minutes ago, dfelt said:

@ccap41 SMK had called this same type of screen sitting on the dash a floating screen. I was quoting him. LOL

To me it doesn't really look like it's on that dash as much as it looks like an extended instrument cluster like a scaled down S or E Class.

[Robert Hall]

3 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

To me it doesn't really look like it's on that dash as much as it looks like an extended instrument cluster like a scaled down S or E Class.

I see the similarity to the S- and E-, but on the S- the screen is recessed w/ an overhang...it's integrated into the dash..this just seems to be sitting there.  It does seem like M-B is standardizing on a theme... 

Edited April 25, 2018 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[ccap41]

3 minutes ago, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

I see the similarity to the S- and E-, but on the S- the screen is recessed w/ an overhang...it's integrated into the dash..this just seems to be sitting there.  It does seem like M-B is standardizing on a theme... 

Yeah it definitely is not tucked in like the E and S Class' are... 

I like the theme. It's simple and clean to me. As long as one of the screens doesn't go out, lol. Granted, if any screen on any car goes out you're in big trouble, nobody is excluded from that group! 

[Robert Hall]

7 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

Yeah it definitely is not tucked in like the E and S Class' are... 

I like the theme. It's simple and clean to me. As long as one of the screens doesn't go out, lol. Granted, if any screen on any car goes out you're in big trouble, nobody is excluded from that group! 

It's better than Tesla's giant screen, IMO.   I definitely don't like the trend of having so many controls in the center screen..still prefer physical buttons for many basic functions. 

[balthazar]

4 hours ago, ykX said:

I just came back from Italy and even C-class looks huge on the streets there.  Most cars from MB and BMW I saw there were A-class and 1-series

No doubt the Euro car forums are choked with threads of 'Cool big cars & trucks we don't get here!

3 hours ago, smk4565 said:

A-class... Doesn't look like an S-class...

There's an S-coupe too, or weren't you aware?

Edited April 25, 2018 by balthazar

[daves87rs]

Nice...but TINY!

[Drew Dowdell]

On 4/25/2018 at 1:52 PM, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

I'll never forget literally across the street from the Colleseum was a dark blue GC and a dark blue Tahoe parallel parked with Fiats in front and behind...strangers in a strange land.  I did see plenty of Jeeps in the UK and Europe on various trips from '00-06, though...XJs, Wranglers, GCs, Libertys (ie. Cherokees in Europe).   Mixed in w/ the occasional Voyager, Sebring convertible, Neon, Explorer, Chrysler 300...

i'm surprised they weren't branded Lancias the way Sergio works.

[Robert Hall]

5 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

i'm surprised they weren't branded Lancias the way Sergio works.

Well, it was the pre-Sergio era when I was last there... the 300 was later branded as a Lancia at one point.  IIRC, the Sebring convertibles I saw were badged as Stratuses ... and the Neons as Chrysler Neons...I did see a couple older Chrysler Saratogas (Spirit/Le Baron sedan in the US) also. 

[Drew Dowdell]

11 minutes ago, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

Well, it was the pre-Sergio era when I was last there... the 300 was later branded as a Lancia at one point.  IIRC, the Sebring convertibles I saw were badged as Stratuses ... and the Neons as Chrysler Neons...I did see a couple older Chrysler Saratogas (Spirit/Le Baron sedan in the US) also. 

Laziest rebadge evar.