Radical Mercedes A-Class Concept debuts in New York, production version for North America confirmed

After enthralling the crowds at the Shanghai Auto Show, the dynamic A-Class concept car from Mercedes Benz has been doing the same to the eager car enthusiasts in New York city. What’s more, Mercedes has also confirmed the A-Class will also be seen plying the North American roads once production commences.

However, the company isn’t committing to a specific launch period just yet and the nearest that Mercedes would reveal of its launch plans in the US is a somewhat vague “some time in this decade” timeline as stated by Joachim Schmidt, the executive vice president of sales and marketing for Mercedes Benz Cars. Things though are better for Europe in that at least Mercedes could come up with a more meaningful time period of 2012 which is when the production version of the A-Class is expected to make its debut there.

The A-Class concept boasts of a three door design that is very impressive to say the least. The lines on the car are influenced by the F800 Style study and the CLS of the latest version. Even after having said so, it remains a matter to wait and watch as to whether the production model remains accurate with the radical study done while designing. The concept model rests its foundation on the Mercedes Benz’s fresh MFA platform architecture. The derivation of power comes from a 210 HP 2.0 liter turbocharged engine blended with a dual clutch transmission.

The same architecture provides the laying basis to three other models of cars or body styles in the section that include the five door hatchback and with all possibility being considered, roadster and sedan mutants. The A-Class will face competition from the BMW 1 Series and the Audi A3.

Source: carscoop