Mercedes has thrown down a compact-class challenge to Audi in the shape of its first A-Class saloon.
Unveiled ahead of this week's Beijing Motor Show, the rival to Audi’s A3 saloon will form part of a new eight-car compact range. It goes on sale in China in the long-wheelbase form pictured here before arriving in the UK in early 2019.
• New Mercedes A-Class hatchback review
This is the first time that Mercedes has launched a saloon version of the A-Class, now in its fourth generation. Huge growth in China, large conquest rates and a younger customer base have encouraged the German manufacturer to expand both its A-Class line-up and its overall compact car range.
The A-Class’s transformation from hatchback to saloon is only noticeable from the C-pillar backwards, where a new boot gives it a classic three-box saloon silhouette. It also brings a boost in practicality, upping load capacity by 50 litres to a new total of 420 litres.
For the long-wheelbase model – which will be exclusive to the Chinese market – Mercedes has added 60mm to the wheelbase of the A-Class to give slightly more rear passenger space.
The A-Class saloon that will go on sale in the UK will feature a standard-length wheelbase. At 4,609mm long, it’s only 77mm shorter than the larger C-Class.
Elsewhere, the best bits from the rest of the new A-Class hatch have been carried over to the new saloon. The redesigned front end features slender LED headlamps, while the tail-lights in the bumper have been repositioned at a slightly lower level.
Inside, the design is carried over directly from the hatch. It features the firm’s latest MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system and digital displays. In an industry first, the sat-nav display also incorporates augmented reality, which overlays navigation instructions over a real-time map. The split-step dash extends across the full width of the car, with three turbine-style air vents placed just below the central 10.25-inch display.
In the UK, the engine and spec line-up for the saloon is likely to mirror that of the hatch. That means three trim levels should be on offer: SE, Sport and AMG Line. All cars are likely to be fitted with alloy wheels, a DAB radio, keyless entry and air-con as standard.
Early buyers will have a choice of four-cylinder engines – one diesel and two petrol. The 1.5-litre diesel, a development of the engine from the previous-generation A-Class, will develop 114bhp and should return upwards of 68mpg. An all-new 161bhp 1.33-litre turbocharged petrol will also be offered, with a 221bhp 2.0-litre turbo expected to complete the initial range.
It’s no secret that Mercedes-AMG is developing two performance versions of the A-Class. The A 45 and A 43 will deliver around 400bhp and 300bhp respectively, and the likelihood is that Mercedes will apply the AMG treatment to the saloon as well as to the hatch and upcoming GLA crossover.
The A-Class saloon will sit above the hatchback as a more luxurious offering within the range. As a result of that, it will also carry a hefty price premium of several thousand pounds.
Read our first drive of the new Mercedes A-Class hatchback right here...
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