Mercedes Benz

This evening marks a premiere, as spy photographers were able to get the first shots of a massively-camouflaged 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class prototype running on a private test track. Although they share the same platform, the two flagships of the upcoming compact range of the German constructor haven't begun the usual testing phase at the same time. Whereas the B-Class has already covered thousands and thousands of kilometers since 2009, engineers sent the new A-Class on streets just one year ahead of its scheduled unveiling. However, this doesn't automatically mean the car has not been developed behind closed doors, in the Merc's secret R&D labs. Seeing the Concept_A�Class in April, the test model bears a lot of resemblance to the show vehicle revealed in Shanghai, at least in what the overall form is concerned. The first variant in the new lineup is a five-door hatchback, as the one in the scoop pics, but a more sports-oriented, three-door version similar to the concept is also in cards. Losing the bulky, rather unattractive MPV shape of the outgoing model means the new A-Class will gun for the BMW 1er and the Audi A3. The main artilery of the car for the fight is the spectacular MFA platform, which promises to be a trendsetter in the segment in areas such as modularity, efficiency and ride behaviour. Along with the A-Class, a new range of low-displacement Renault engines will debut, as part of the partnership signed last year. Mercedes-Benz will be in charge of supplying the high-end powerplants: the A 250 BlueEFFICIENCY and the A 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, both capable of delivering 204 hp of peak output. The official tuner of the Stuttgart-based carmaker, AMG, is reportedly working on a super A-Class: the A 25 AMG, packing a new supercharged, 4-cylinder engine boasting 350 hp and an all-wheel-drive platform.

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