Next-gen Mercedes-Benz A-Class spied testing

Mercedes-Benz is gearing up and preparing the next generation A-Class. The test mule of the upcoming new hatchback was spotted testing in Southern Europe recently.

The development seems to be in the early stages of testing, but there is a lot going underneath the disguised avatar. For example, the heavy cladding on the fascia suggests a revised design involving more sculpting of the bonnet. The tail lamps are reworked and now are split between the body and the tail gate, as seen on the GLA. The boot opening also looks larger than the current one, which should ideally improve loading and unloading of luggage.

The cabin is also expected to be larger than the current model offering oodles of space. Especially, the rear passengers might get more headroom with the size of the upcoming model to be bigger. Another thing worth noticing is that the side mirror is now relocated on the door instead of the A-pillar. This might have been done to increase visibility for the driver.

This Mercedes-Benz A-Class will be the carmaker's first model to use their new Modular Front-drive Architecture (MFA2), which it also shares with Infiniti. The new platform is expected to be lighter and be compatible with a greater variety of powertrain options. The engine line-up can be expected to include the four-cylinder engines, in both petrol and diesel forms.

The new MFA2 platform used by the Mercedes-Benz A-Class is expected to also underpin the next generation GLA, B-Class, CLA and a new SUV segment rumoured to be the new GLB. But that is when the new hatchback will make its public appearance in 2018. As soon as it goes on sale across the globe, it will also be launched for the Indian market.