Mercedes A-Class L sedan goes live in China

-Will be slotted between the A-Class hatchback and CLA
- Will be sold only as long wheelbase for Chinese market
-Same interiors as new generation A-Class
-1.3-litre petrol and 2.0-litre petrol for China only
-Standard wheelbase model will be revealed later this year for rest of the world

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan has been revealed at the 2018 Beijing Motor Show and that too in a China-only long wheelbase guise. This is a new model that will take over the role that the CLA has been performing for the last five years and will be positioned above the A-Class hatchback. The production ready model remains true to the concept vehicle that was showcased last year. And whereas the CLA took a fastback (ish) route, this one has a more conventional roofline and looks like a scaled down version of the E-Class.

Given that it is based on the MFA2 platform which it shares with the other ‘A’ branded vehicles, the interiors have been picked up from the second generation hatchback. The cabin sports an updated design with full digital displays and chrome inserts for the aircon vents and steering.

Powering this new A-Class L, for the Chinese market, will be a 1.3-litre four-cylinder motor with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder motor expected to follow later in the year. Both engines only get the option of a seven-speed DCT. The car will come to India in standard wheelbase guise and be offered with both petrol and diesel power. Here it will become a rival for the likes of the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series hatchback.

In all this, we believe that CLA will now take up its true role of being a sporty four-door model to the ‘A’range as is the case with the CLS sedan for the ‘S’range of cars.