Mercedes-Benz has been tuning its strategy for a fast drive in the Indian market. The German Luxury car maker has launched the first product from the MFA platform, the B-Class Sports tourer. In 2013 the plans to take the game further by launching the new A-Class hatch and also the diesel variants for A & B-Class by end of 2013.
Thanks to our friends at Motorbash, who have shared more images of A-Class hatch caught testing in Pune, near Khadki-Bopodi road.
The A-Class will be the cheapest offering from Mercedes-Benz and could be priced under Rs. 20 lakh. The company will assemble the car right from day one which will help to attract lower duties. The luxury hatch will be assembled alongside the B-Class and a new line is being installed to manufacture the MFA platform at the Chakan plant.
We can expect the A 180 BlueEFFICIENCY to first make it in the Indian market. The same engine also does duty on the B-Class hatch. The 1,595cc engine produces 122hp @ 5000 rpm and 200Nm @ 1,250–4,000 of Max Torque. Internationally the A-Class gets 6-speed manual & optional 7G-DCT 7-speed automatic. We can expect the latter to be offered for the Indian market.
The Avantgrade and a base trim could be on offering. Mercedes-Benz certainly need some sales boosters to help them regain the market share and also bring in younger customers which are currently opting for other brands like Audi and BMW.
Would you buy the A-Class for Rs. 18 lakhs?
Image source: Motorbash
