Mercedes-Benz plans to reclaim the top spot in the Indian luxury car market by launching all the new entry-level front-wheel-drive models in India including the hatchback, sedan and compact crossover. The B-Class MPV is already booked for 2012, the diesel version along with commencement of CKD operations should start in January. And now we have the spy images of what looks like their new entry-level model for India, the A-Class
The images of the A-Class doing rounds near Pune have been snapped by Motorbash and at the very least reveal that the launch is not far away. We expect Mercedes to launch this model in India by the end of first quarter of 2013. The A-Class will get a 1.6-litre 123bhp petrol engine along with the A200 CDI variant, which will have the 1.8-litre turbo diesel unit that will also power the B-Class. The engine will be mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and power the front wheels.
The test mule in the images has an AMG body kit, so there is a possibility that Merc may offer the first few units as AMG edition – similar to launch of the new ML350. The company’s new paint facility at Chakan is also functional now, so we expect the car to be assembled and painted in India. This will certainly get the prices down, we expect A-Class to start at around Rs 16 lakh.
Image courtesy: MotorBash
