As per reports, Mercedes-Benz is looking to introduce a new compact saloon that fits between the next generation CLA and the upcoming C-Class facelift.
It is speculated that this upcoming saloon will be targeted at the Audi A3 saloon and the BMW 1 Series saloon. Slated to be based on the second-generation MFA platform which is what underpins the next-gen A-Class, this new saloon will be larger and more expensive than the CLA-Class.
Sources also add that the new car may be engineered for both RHD and LHD markets, and will most likely have a long wheelbase option to cater to the Chinese market. Power is expected to come from Mercedes’ latest 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol and diesel mills. Thanks to the second-generation MFA platform being engineered to support electrification, one can safely assume that a plug-in hybrid version may also be introduced eventually.
As of now, there’s no confirmation from Mercedes, but this new saloon may hit the international market by the end of 2018, which is when the fourth generation A-Class hatchback will debut.
