Mercedes-Benz has finally previewed its updated A-Class, and it looks good.

WE NOW HAVE a good idea on just what to can expect from Mercedes-Benz’s compact class as the ageing model lines move on to a new platform and receive new and improved sculpting work. The current compact includes models such as the A-Class hatchback, B-Class, GLA-Class, CLA sedan and CLA Shootingbrake.

Similar in size to the current CLA, the German manufacturer’s new A-class sedan concept previewed at the Shanghai motor show reveals a new direction of design for its compact range, no interior previews have been released yet. 

The A-Class sedan concept paths the way for the models to depart from the brands current ‘Sensual Purity’ design language of creases and angles and instead focus on smoother surfaces.

While being dimensional similar to the CLA, the A-class sedan concept features a longer and taller cabin space with more compact overhangs which make it shorter overall by about 70mm. Its front-end styling is the most distinctive from current Mercedes-Benz compact vehicles, and has AMG’s familiar Panamericana style grille and slender LED headlights to set things off.

“Our concept A Sedan shows that the time of creases is over,” said Mercedes chief design officer, Gorden Wagener.

“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 A-class sedan concept will be built on the next generation of the current MFA platform and will be simply known as MFA2. The sedan will be the first production vehicle to be delivered on the new architecture and there will be at least seven more cars to follow.

The previewed concept design shows a departure from most of the current A-class styling which has been in need of an update amongst its newer competitors, but the manufacturer’s small class models have still been some of its best selling.

Over 2 million first generation compact cars sold on the MFA platform for Mercedes-Benz and so it has plans to expand its lineup with the update and increase its volume of compact car sales globally.

A part from the current A-Class, B-Class, CLA and GLA models there’s the possibility of new models such as rugged compact SUV and compact convertible models.