This new Mercedes-Benz concept feels a bit disingenuous. On the one hand, we have a clear look at the next CLA-Class compact sedan. But on the other, we have a heavy-handed effort to link this piglet with the 4-door AMG GT Concept. Aka, the full hog.
Mercedes-Benz auf dem Internationalen Automobil-Salon Genf 2017: Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Vorstandsvorsitzender der Daimler AG und Leiter Mercedes-Benz Cars, am Mercedes-AMG GT Concept. ;
Mercedes-Benz at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show: Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG & Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, at the Mercedes-AMG GT Concept.;
Mercedes-Benz auf dem Internationalen Automobil-Salon Genf 2017: Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Vorstandsvorsitzender der Daimler AG und Leiter Mercedes-Benz Cars, am Mercedes-AMG GT Concept. ;
Mercedes-Benz at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show: Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG & Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, at the Mercedes-AMG GT Concept.;
Mercedes-Benz auf dem Internationalen Automobil-Salon Genf 2017: Weltpremiere des Mercedes-AMG GT Concept. ;
Mercedes-Benz at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show: World Premiere of the Mercedes-AMG GT Concept.;
Mercedes-Benz auf dem Internationalen Automobil-Salon Genf 2017: Weltpremiere des Mercedes-AMG GT Concept. ;
Mercedes-Benz at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show: World Premiere of the Mercedes-AMG GT Concept.;
Actually, we take most of that back. The look of this Concept A is endlessly charming. Its new LeMans-type grille with vertical slats meets ultra slimline LED headlights. Wide intakes below leave no doubt as to how turbocharged and speedy MB’s always are.
Could the LEDs up front be even slimmer? Yes. Could they have less blue busy-ness to prove their hightech nature? Yes. And yes, there could be less overhang and more hood.
But on the good front, the Concept A fixes the droopy tail of the current CLA nicely. It also shifts the stance rearward via a more upright C-pillar than the current model.
The tail is extra clean and impressive. Flush-mounted lamps and taut surfacing for the trunklid/bumper are fresh and, whisper it, almost Lexus-like.
Look for about three more A concepts over the next 18-months ahead of an all-new CLA around the 2020 modelyear.
2017 Mercedes-Benz Concept A
Mercedes-Benz Media Preview im Rahmen der Auto Shanghai 2017. Weltpremiere für das Mercedes-Benz Concept A Sedan. ;
Mercedes-Benz Media Preview on the eve of the Auto Shanghai 2017: World Premiere of the Mercedes-Benz Concept A Sedan.;
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
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