Merc announces SUV on the lines of the A Class

Mercedes is taking the 'small SUV' segment so seriously, it is going to make its smallest SUV no larger than the VW Polo. Development work has only just begun, but we do know that it will derive styling inspiration from the tough-as-nails Gelandewagen. 

It is tentatively scheduled for launch in 2016, and will go up against the Land Rover DC100 and VW Taigun. Known internally as the City-G, it will be based on a joint platform that will be developed by Daimler and Renault-Nissan. This platform will support at least two different wheelbase lengths, many track widths and both front drive and AWD.

In addition to the City-G, it will also be the base for the third-generation B-Class, fourth-generation A-Class, second-gen CLA and the second generation of the upcoming GLA SUV. Motive power will be derived from a range of small-capacity four-cylinder direct-injection petrol and common-rail diesel engines jointly being developed by Daimler and Renault-Nissan. 

There is a very interesting deduction that we can make from this: will the next-generation Renault Duster share parts with a Mercedes ? Only time will tell.