It's a logical move. RWD based on the C-Class, so no new platform, no different motors or gearboxes... much smarter.

And the sandwich-concept is good for safety, allows a small car to have giant space for the passengers... but makes the driving position not perfect, and the center of gravity ridiculously high. That's why the A and B are not very nimble, yet with quite hard suspensions with a short course to avoid too much bodyroll...

I hate these A and B-Classes. They don't deserve the MB badge. An MB is quiet and comfortable, not hard and noisy.