Mercedes-Benz Teases New A-Class Ahead of 2012 Geneva Auto Show Debut

STUTTGART, Germany — Mercedes-Benz has released a teaser video of the redesigned A-Class ahead of its official unveiling in early March at the 2012 Geneva Auto Show.

The new A-Class, which goes on sale later this year in Europe, was previewed nine months ago in concept form at the New York and Shanghai auto shows, with the simultaneous debuts of the Concept A-Class.

The redesigned A-Class has been developed simultaneously with the new B-Class, which debuted last September at the Frankfurt auto show. Daimler boss Dieter Zetsche said the automaker also may share the new MFA small-car platform with Renault and Nissan.

In the U.S., Mercedes-Benz expects to sell versions of both the A- and B-Class, including coupe, crossover and sedan variants. The first of the new models is expected to arrive later this year, following a debut at the 2012 New York Auto Show in April.

In the meantime, Mercedes-Benz engineers are running around Germany in several A-Class prototypes, camouflaged in QR (Quick Response) codes. Local consumers are invited to download a free smartphone app and post candid photos of the prototypes to qualify to win a free trip to the Geneva show.

Inside Line says: A much better-looking design that has the potential for global appeal.