Report: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Cabriolet in the works
Europe has a knack for hatchbacks with their heads cut off. So much in fact that Mercedes-Benz has supposedly confirmed that a drop-top version of its latest Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf competitor—the A-Class—will follow after the three- and five-door variants go on sale next year.
During a press conference with Mercedes-Benz’s CEO Dr. Dieter Zetsche, he announced that five new compact cars are on the way over the next five years. Four of them, he said, we are already familiar with: the preexisting A-Class, B-Class, as well as a BMW X1 competitor and a baby CLS four-door coupe.
The A-Class Cabriolet receives a number of changes in order to accommodate the collapsible roof. A new front-wheel drive platform utilizes a new version of Mercedes-Benz’s multi-link rear suspension to maintain Mercedes’s traditional firm yet compliant ride and handling. A fabric roof is also expected to be offered instead of a heavy folding-metal roof.
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Engines provided for the A-Class include a 1.6L turbocharged gasoline four-banger, a 2.0L 200hp version and a 1.8L diesel. An all-wheel drive AMG version might also be a possibility and is rumored to produce 350hp from a twin-turbo 2.0L four-banger.
Either way, pricing has yet to be released. But I’m sure we will see that pop up as we get closer to the A-Class Cabriolet’s launch date in 2014.
– By: Chris Chin
Source: AutoExpress