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Looks like: A more practical junior version of the gorgeous big-car concept on display at the 2017 New York auto show
Defining characteristics: A design based on curvy shapes and smooth surfaces, not decoration or sharp angles
Ridiculous features: The blacklight grid in the headlights that offers Day-Glo color effects
Chance of being mass-produced: Possible as a new A-Class sedan, but in any case, look for styling elements in future “baby Benz” A-Class, B-Class, CLA and GLA SUV models
Mercedes-Benz has successfully grown sales with its fleet of entry-level compacts on its front-drive platform, delivering more than two million worldwide since 2012, including the CLA sedan, GLA SUV and B-Class electric that are available in the U.S. and the A-Class, B-Class models and CLA wagon not currently sold here.
Related: 2017 New York Auto Show: Winners & Losers
At the 2017 Shanghai auto show this week the automaker unveiled the Concept A Sedan, a design concept that potentially heralds a new A-Class sedan, as well as what the future may look like for its other small vehicles. The look has a more Jaguar-like focus on shape and surfaces than current Mercedes products, which are heading down the sharply angular road being taken by luxury rivals such as Lexus.
“Our Concept A Sedan shows that the time of creases is over,” said Gorden Wagener, design chief for Daimler, Mercedes’ parent, in a statement. “With its perfect proportions and a sensual treatment of surfaces with reduced lines, it is the next milestone of ‘Sensual Purity’ and has the potential to introduce a new design era.”
The concept picks up in a smaller package the design theme expressed in the drop-dead-gorgeous AMG GT Concept, the big sedan that Mercedes unveiled last week for the U.S. at the 2017 New York International Auto Show.