The 67th Annual Geneva Car Show - 1997
by Paul Negyesi
Mercedes-Benz
The A-class was the main attraction of the show for many. Sadly it was
"look but don't touch it please" because the As exhibited were surrounded
by lots of sticks with small A scale-models on them.
There was also the European debut of the CLK. In April a racing version
of the CLK was also announced.
Pick another exhibitor:
AC Schnitzer,
Alfa Romeo,
Alpina,
Audax,
Audi,
Berard,
Bertone,
BMW,
Brabus,
Caterham,
Chrysler,
Citroën,
Daewoo,
Daihatsu,
DeTomaso,
DigitPower,
Ferrari,
Fiat,
Ford,
General Motors USA
Gigliato,
Heuliez,
Honda,
Hyundai,
Irmscher,
ItalDesign,
IVM Engineering,
Jaguar,
Jimenez Novia
Karmann,
Kia,
Lamborghini,
Lancia,
Lorinser,
Maserati,
Mazda,
Mercedes,
Michalak,
Mitsubishi,
Nissan,
Opel,
Peugeot,
Pininfarina,
Porsche,
Proton,
Puch,
Renault,
Rinspeed,
Rolls-Royce/Bentley,
Rover/Land Rover/MG/Mini,
Saab,
Sbarro,
Seat,
Skoda,
Spectre,
SsangYong,
Strosek,
Subaru,
Suzuki,
Toyota,
Valmet,
Venturi,
Volkswagen,
Volvo,
BEGINNING OF REPORT.
©
Sales will start in May, and from October 1997 the A-class will be appearing
at Mercedes branches and dealers.
This is the first small Mercedes and they want to reach a planned
200000 sales/year. The ad campaign started months before the introduction.
Probably this was the reason why someone noticed: "It's look like an old-car
for me. I saw so many photographs for months, it's like being around
for long."
At launc, the A-class will be available with a choice of two petrol engines,
of 1.4 litre and 1.6 litre capacity. In 1998, two 1.7 litre turbodiesels
will be added to the range.
While Jürgen Hubbert who's responsible for the Car Division at
Mercedes-Benz said that "the A-class creates a new segment of its own".
I'd add that it's a good marketing stunt but I'd doubt that in the light
of the Renault Megane Scenic or the coming Japanese microcars, like the
Suzuki Wagon R+ this will remain true.
But this is still a "revolutionary car concept". The central element is the
flat floor panel from the pedals to the rear bumper. This separates the
interior from a major component compartment underneath. This compartment
includes the front and rear axles, fuel tank, battery, fuse box and exhaust
system. The engine and gearbox are positioned in a space-saving inclined
position partly in front of the raised floor panel and partly underneath it.
THe interior is roomy: C-class has 1839 millimetres, A-class has 1835 mm with
a luggage capacity of 350 to 850 litres depending on the position of the
rear seats. There are 36 positions due to the fact that the rear seats
are anchored to the floor panel by special mounts so that they can be easily
taken out by hand.
I bet tests will soon start and they won't spare the praising words.
But I would doubt that the A-class will find enough customers to
prove the rightness of such novelty. And even if they don't admit, there'll
be in-house competition with the Smart car (I received many enquires about
the latter, after it was featured on my