Mercedes-Benz teases the new-gen A-Class undergoing winter testing

Mercedes-Benz has been busy developing the new generation A-Class for four years now. Now finally, ahead of its official debut, the carmaker has assured us that the car is in its final stage of testing. The German carmaker released a teaser video showcasing the hatchback undergoing cold weather testing both in closed parameters and outside in the actual snow. 

In the teaser video, the A-Class (Codenamed W177) is seen undergoing gruesome tests in snow cladded Sweden. The hatchback is also undergoing the final extensive test drives being evaluated at speeds of 50kmph in the climate tunnel where the temperatures can drop to -28 degrees Celsius. We also got a brief glimpse of the interior, however, the carmaker has already revealed it a few days back. The 10.5-inch is present with the new user interface system, more details of which will be revealed at the 2018 CES in Vegas.

The new-gen A-Class is speculated to break cover at the Geneva Motor Show. The hatchback is an important product for the Three-Pointed Star. It will be based on new platform, making it roomier and lighter than the outgoing model. Codenamed W177, the A-Class will also benefit from the Daimler-Renault alliance in terms of powertrain. The turbocharged 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine derived from the alliance will be present with different states of tune. Apart from that, the newly developed 2.0-litre turbo diesel will also find its way under the hood of the new A-Class. A plug-in hybrid version of the A-Class is also on the cards.

The new gen A-Class will also spawn an all-new sedan sometime next year. The CLA will also enter into the new generation following the A-Class. After its international debut, the German hatchback will promptly make its way to India. However, with the new generation, if Mercedes prices the entry-level hatch in between Rs 20-25 lakhs it could become a volume seller in the country. Thus it would make sense to even locally assemble the car here in India at the carmaker’s Pune facility.