Mercedes Class A 2012, a paradigm shift

Diego G. Moreira     10 March 2012     2 min.
Mercedes Class A 2012, a paradigm shift

A somewhat deeper look at the new Mercedes Class A.

One of the most anticipated novelties for the specialist press and the many motoring enthusiasts was the Mercedes Class A that was unveiled this week in Geneva. The concept previewed aggressive lines, and in the end more than one of us were surprised by the 2012 Class A.

As soon as I arrived at the Mercedes stand, three AMG Class A models with a radical design greeted me, and one of the first things I did was climb into one to look at the interior. For a moment it felt as if I had sat in any other Mercedes with AMG tuning, but not in the Class A that many of us once associated with being dull or boring.

Mercedes has made a radical change in its designs, the famous SLS AMG opened the door, and since then several models have adopted a front end and more sporty lines, in contrast to the conservatism that was typical of Mercedes. The work begun with the Class B was completed with much more freedom in the Class A. Youthful lines, an attractive interior design, sportiness, and a new multimedia system to stay connected between our smartphone and the car.

All of this has a single goal, to go straight for the young public that looks for sportiness and design. The engine range has not lagged behind either, with power outputs reaching up to 211 CV for petrol and 170 CV for diesel.

In my opinion the bet is risky, because it runs the risk of losing its loyal customers who wanted something more conservative, but with the Class A that risk must be qualified. The previous model was exhausted and showed its age too clearly, Mercedes had no strong compact model, such as the Audi A3 or the BMW 1 Series, so taking a gamble with this model seems to me a sound choice.

Until we have a dynamic test of the model, the intentions are heading in the right direction. One only has to see the expectation it generated in Geneva, and perhaps after many years the German firm will have a compact model that helps lift its sales and offers stiff competition to BMW and Audi.

And you, what do you think of the radical change in the design of the Class A?


3 comentarios

  1. adrian says:

    respondiendo a la pregunta que propone Diego, gran editor por cierto, quería comentar que estoy totalmente de acuerdo con su planteamiento, Mercedes se ha arriesgado, es cierto, pero creo que la liquidez que le va a aportar fabricar este modelo, y su previsible venta masiva, ya que está situado en una gama de coches con muchos rivales pero a su altura, va a provocar que podamos seguir disfrutando por muchos años de los grandes y elegantes mercedes que vemos en las calles europeas.
    En mi humilde opinión, crear este coche ha sido la gran asignatura pendiente que acaba de aprobar mercedes, y con una muy buena nota, y tan solo le encuentro un problema, y es que no se ha hablado mucho del precio, pero por lo que se anticipa va a ser caro, por encima de sus rivales más directos, así que solo cabe esperar a que la gente pague ese “extra” que ofrece este gran clase A, y espero ver tantos como serie 1 o A3 se ven por las calles.

  2. roberto garcia says:

    Queria saber si este modelo clase A 2012 lo sacarran tambien en tres puertas
    gracias

  3. yomismo says:

    Por supuesto que sacarán la versión 3 puertas, de hecho el concept lo era y se veía mucho más contundente y deportivo.
    Me parece un acierto total este coche, muy por encima estéticamente al insulso serie 1 (horrendo tras el restyling.) Tiene mucha personalidad y lejos de presentarse con miedo ante los seguidores de la marca (los de clase distinguida podrían no aceptarlo y relegarlo en plan “eso no es un Mercedes”) le han colocado una enorme parrilla y un gran símbolo de la marca, como enorgulleciéndose de este nuevo coche. Será un exitazo de ventas.

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