CarCrazyASTL 16 Report post Posted November 27, 2012 (edited) Mercedes-Benz India strongly relies on the Mercedes A Class to be the trend setter in the Indian premium car space. This fully revealing test mule was spotted by Mr. Arjun Shetty, one of the fans of Facebook page called ‘Super Cars, Super Bikes & Exotics in Pune’. The smallest offering from the three pointed star has been testing in India for quite sometime now and this is probably the first undisguised spotting.The A Class has surpassed 90,000 bookings in Europe, becoming the most successful Mercedes in the history.The premium hatchback is based on the MFA (Modular Front Architecture) platform which also underpins the B Class. The baby Benz is expected to get diesel power from the 1.8 litre turbocharged engine which is expected to produce about 134 bhp. Transmission duty will be the courtesy of a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox. The price tag will be between 18-20 lakhs, making it the cheapest star on sale in India. Expect the launch sometime in the middle of 2013.. BMW also has announced plans to launch 1 series hatch to India by end of 2013. this market is also becoming very hot, lets see who grabs the victor's cup! [source: Super Cars, Super Bikes & Exotics in pune's Facebook Page] Edited November 27, 2012 by CarCrazyASTL 1 SorDrortMop reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KarthickB 1 Report post Posted November 27, 2012 While many have been arguing about whether people will spend 20 lakh rupees on a premium hatchback, I believe that it is much more practical and easy to own in India. Just think about it, you get to buy a premium brand like Mercedes, plus it is significantly easy on the pocket both in buying and fuel expenses. I feel the A class will be a seller based on the following points: -The 1.8L diesel engine will be much more fuel efficient than the C class. -An hatchback is more easy to punt around in crowded cities and traffic. -It has killer looks and interior styling. Space seems to be adequate too. -Boot space will not be too bad either, hence it appeals to potential saloon car buyers too. Am watching this space eagerly, especially the launch and the pricing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
F30 101 Report post Posted November 28, 2012 Though this " A" hatch looks better than the B class but the "A" should be launched in the sedan avatar as it will be a much better proposition and taste success immediately. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
F30 101 Report post Posted November 28, 2012 ^ Oh yes , very nice rim design Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CarCrazyASTL 16 Report post Posted November 28, 2012 Though this " A" hatch looks better than the B class but the "A" should be launched in the sedan avatar as it will be a much better proposition and taste success immediately. Good Idea, but then Interior space will get reduced (If dimentions are kept untoched) or if they extend the wheelbase, then it'll kill it's own sibling, the C-class! & it will loos it's main features, ie. Compactness & shorter turning radius! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
F30 101 Report post Posted December 2, 2012 Good Idea, but then Interior space will get reduced (If dimentions are kept untoched) or if they extend the wheelbase, then it'll kill it's own sibling, the C-class! & it will loos it's main features, ie. Compactness & shorter turning radius! Regarding the compactness & cannibalizing may be youre right, but if you see for example Indigo eCS & Indigo Manza are actually similar but both doing good numbers so why not this ? In India if you give anything with a boot it will sell, but a large Hatch theres still time for that market to mature IMO Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
