With the Concept A Sedan at 2017 Shanghai Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz is giving an outlook of the next generation of compact vehicles and a possible, new body type.
The Concept A Sedan present car specifies the transformed Mercedes-Benz design language. Due to its purist, surface-focused design having reduced lines and flat surfaces the show vehicle is hot and cool at the same time. The “Aesthetics A” sculpture already presented that the upcoming compact class generation marks the dawn of much more rigorous implementation of the design idiom of “sensual purity”.
“Our Concept A Sedan shows, that the time of creases is over”, stated Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer at Daimler. “With its ideal proportions and a sensual treatment of surfaces with reduced lines, it is the next milestone of Sensual Purity and has the potential to launch a new design era.”
The current compact vehicle generation is importantly collaborating to Mercedes‑Benz’s most successful and re-innovated appearance ever to make 2016 the sixth year of records in succession. Over two million compact vehicles have been sold worldwide since 2012. Together with the contemporary design language, technological assistance systems, connectivity, and driving pleasure, model variety is an important factor for success: with the A and B‑Class, CLA and CLA Shooting Brake, and the SUV crossover GLA five differently positioned variants are available in the industry.
“Their success proves that our consumers are definitely satisfied with the current generation of Mercedes-Benz compact cars”, stated Britta Seeger, member of the Board of Management of Daimler responsible for Mercedes‑Benz Cars Marketing & Sales. “We are further extremely confident that the said expansion will lead to a continuation of this success story.”
The Concept A Sedan: study of a compact premium sedan
The Concept A Sedan (length/width/height: 4570/1870/1462 mm) has been developed with the proportions of a dynamic, coupé-like and concurrently compact, premium sedan. This aim is highlighted by the conventional three-box design having short overhangs, especially at the rear, along with the slim greenhouse that has been offset towards the rear. Additional sedan traits are the relatively vertical C‑pillar, larger side windows and the higher beltline.
The wheel arch design having a reduced arch dimension highlights the exclusive 20‑inch wheels. The light alloy wheels radiate technical precision with their sporty aerowheel appearance including a structured surface between the spokes. The door handles of the show car are flush with the body, where as the outside mirrors, in a contemporary reinterpretation, stand proud of the beltlines.
The striking front gives self-confidence: this is importantly highlighted by the deep Panamericana grille tilted towards the front, having vertical chrome inserts and a star in the center, and the stretched bonnet with Powerdomes. The large, lower air inlet having a diamond grid structure and a striking trim strip in dark chrome is likewise among the most eye-catching functions.
The headlamps with their eyebrows as a general function of the brand and the striking grid structure on the inside ensure a confident look – and a simultaneously high recognition value. The foundational sculpture that has been broken down in detail shows a technically based counterpole to the sensual outside – “stimulating contrast” is one of the six guiding concepts of Mercedes-Benz design. The grid structure in the lamps has been covered with a UV paint and it is revealed to ultraviolet light. As a result, the headlamps “glow” in different colors, depending upon the light medium – the daytime running lamps, for example, are white.
This unusual lighting technology is also utilized at the rear: The striking tail light image has also been developed as a structural sculpture. In line with the evolved design philosophy the lines and gaps at the rear have been lowered. As a contrast to the paintwork the rear bumper includes a diffuser-look lower part trimmed in black and a chrome trim strip that highlights the width and underlines the car’s premium appearance. The integrated exhaust deflectors are completed in dark chrome. Extra features of the roadworthy show vehicle are dark privacy windows all-round along with a big, panoramic glass roof.
