German Car Zone

In this case it doesn't matter. The A-Class has never been a performance car and FWD means less weight, better gas mileage.

I just hope Mercedes cancels the A200 Turbo / B200 Turbo. Those machines are so pointless and almost bordering on useless.


That photoshop looks pretty nice. More sedan-like and less MPV-like like the current A-Class, which is still a nice and fantastic car. They're fun to drive.

I disagree with that. A Mercedes should be RWD with an option of AWD IMO. In the U.S. market a FWD Mercedes is going to be seriously laughed at. It won't be seen as a "real" Mercedes. Hatchback and FWD Mercedes don't jive here.

M

When has the A and B class ever been classed as a real Mercedes? They have always sat at the bottom of he range just sitting there whilst the rest of the range take the glory..

The Mercedes range has only really ever started at the C-class

Is there talk of bringing the A-Class over to the US?

As far as I know only the B-Class is sold overthere, and in Canada only too. I doubt it will matter at this point in time if a car is FWD, RWD or AWD.

Audi sells some FWD cars in the US I believe and Lexus sells the ES. Acura is considered a premium brand and also sells a lot of FWD cars.

Besides, what harm is there when you're selling one small compact premium car with a FWD layout in the US (theoretically speaking about the new MB A-Class / B-Class)?

^Image problems,the American is not ready for smaller MBs yet,but i'm sure in the future when BMW and Audi will start offering the A3 and 1er with four pots MB will follow suit.

Oh yes, they want to sell the next generaiton here to meet Goverment fuel efficiency standards so they don't have to pay those huge fines every year. The B is sold in Canada only, not the U.S.

Lexus and Acura as you know aren't Mercedes-Benz. All Acuras are fwd or FWD-based AWD and they're nothing but re-badged (and ugly as hell) Hondas. The Lexus ES is a what you guys call an "pensioner's" car...lol. A Mercedes is supposed to be the way god intended RWD.

The harm is that people here don't want a cheapo Mercedes. The little hatchback coupe, now CLC over there flopped. People don't mind paying for a Mercedes when they can see the point hence the U.S. is littered with S550s, SLs, GL550s and all types of AMGs.

Mercedes IMO needs to make the C-Class the best car it can be. Its almost there as I can attest having just driven a loaded C350 Sport for 4 days. Loved it!

Anyway I think a smaller RWD with option AWD Mercedes with much younger styling and a decent price would be a hit, I'm just leary of U.S. customer accepting a smaller Mercedes and especially one that is FWD. It doesn't sit well with the E550s and S550s on the showroom floor. All IMO of course.


M

Totally agree. The A and B have no MB-DNA in them: quite noisy, uncomfortable, unrefined, not real good cruisers.

They're not that noisy and unrefined at all. Like I said, I've driven all A-Class and B-Class models (except the A200 Turbo, but I did drive the B200 Turbo) and in all my reviews I said the refinement of the engine was commendable. They were smooth and they were zippy. Very fitting for a small premium car.

Uncomfortable is a bit harsh, because the A-Class isn't the most comfortable car by Mercedes standards, but it gets the job done and is capable of acting as a long-distance cruiser with "decent" comfort.

The B-Class is pure comfort and no sport at all. It handles like a dog but it is soft-sprung and comfortable, possibly even softer and more comfortable than a C-Class.

If they want to avoid hefty fuel-economy fines, the Mercedes should simply bring over their weaker models beginning with the C-Class diesels and 4-cylinders.

I would think there must be a market for a C200 Kompressor in the US, right?

Or how about an S320 CDI?