Mercedes-Benz to Add a Third Small Sedan, Report Says

How many small sedans from one manufacturer can the market handle?

That’s the question being asked in the wake of a report that claims Mercedes-Benz has a new small sedan planned for both overseas and North American markets. According to Autocar, the German automaker will soon debut an A-Class sedan to fill the narrow gap between the CLA and C-Class.

Low-end Mercedes buyers are about to be spoiled for choice.

While Mercedes-Benz hasn’t confirmed the model, sources close to the automaker tell Autocar that the vehicle could appear in showrooms in 2018. That’s when a fourth-generation A-Class hatch debuts for European customers.

While North American buyers only know the diminutive A-Class in photos, a sedan built on the smallest Benz’s platform apparently makes sense for international markets. The automaker sees BMW’s 1 Series and Audi’s A3 as a threat, and a new front-drive sedan could boost sales. The model will ride atop a second-generation of the modular MFA platform. Power will come from a range of four-cylinder powerplants, including a hybrid option and a diesel that Americans shouldn’t hold their breath for.

That MFA platform also underpins the front-drive CLA, which currently sits as the brand’s value-leader. However, the looming model is said to be slightly larger than the CLA. Between the base CLA250 and C300 sits a $7,100 price gap, so the new A-Class sedan should presumably occupy this middle ground. An AMG version is reportedly in the works, with up to 400 horsepower and 4Matic all-wheel drive on tap.

While Mercedes-Benz feels there’s a new crop of customers to lure to this shadowy model, it does seem that the proposed A-Class sedan steps on a number of the CLA’s toes.

[Image: Mercedes-Benz]