Mercedes-Benz has struck gold with the third generation A-Class, which was launched earlier this year. According to reports, the German auto giant has now got 90,000 bookings for the small car - that is almost 40,000 more than its closest rival the seventh-generation Golf.
What is surprising about this development is the fact that Mercedes-Benz has managed to achieve it in the midst of a financial crisis that has been sweeping across Europe over the last few months. It is a small measure of success that the car is likely to achieve.
We already have a few details about the India-bound car as it has been spotted testing near Pune. The A-Class will get a 1.6-litre 123bhp petrol engine along with the A200 CDI variant, which will have the 1.8-litre turbo diesel unit that will also power the B-Class. The engine will be mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and power the front wheels.
This A-Class is significant to India as it will be the first sub-Rs 20 lakh model that Mercedes-Benz will launch in the country in a bid to reclaim its position as India’s top luxury carmaker. Based on the German automakers versatile MFA platform, the A-Class is part of a sub- Rs 25 lakh five vehicle range that it plans to launch in the next few years. The first vehicle in this this range was the B-Class which was launched in September and it has been already been fully booked for 2012.
