Tag Archives: compact
Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan Version Debuts At Beijing Motor Show
Mercedes-Benz wants a bigger chunk of the premium car market. The automaker is breathing new life to the lower rungs of its lineup by launching newer versions of the compact Mercedes-Benz A-Class. The sedan version of the A-Class has made its way to the 2018 Beijing Auto Show after the hatchback version aimed primarily at the European market made its debut at the 2018 Geneva Auto Show in March.
Mercedes showed the A-Class L version of the sedan in the show. “L” stands for long wheelbase, which is common in the auto market of China. We’re sure that a US-spec A-Class will soon arrive in the United States.
The A-Class L has been stretched by 6 centimeters or 2.3 inches. It will be sold exclusively in China. A soon-to-come standard wheelbase will most likely be available for the US market as the new entry-level Mercedes. The CLA-Class, the current entry-level Mercedes, will move by a level.
The A-Class sedan stands similar to the hatchback model in Geneva, sans the presence of a trunk in the longer wheelbase model. Even the MBUX infotainment system (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) was the same as it features a screen setup closer to the larger Mercedes models. There’s also a sophisticated voice-recognition system.
In China, this model will be launched with a 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 163 horsepower. There will also be a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder with 187 horses later. Both these engines will be paired with a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission and it will use a front-wheel drive platform. Mercedes, however, may also offer as an option an all-wheel drive system.
The powertrain lineup for the US models will be revealed at a later date, and there will also be new details on high-performance AMG models. Aside from the A-Class L model, Mercedes will also be launching the Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury electric SUV concept in Beijing.
2019 Hyundai Genesis G70 Will Come With Manual Transmission Option
The upcoming 2019 Hyundai Genesis G70 compact sports sedan will come with a manual transmission option, a representative for the South Korean automaker said. Genesis is Hyundai’s standalone luxury brand.
This manual transmission option has just placed the G70 in a segment that has increasingly become lacking of options that would allow you to “row your own” vehicle. Kevin Smith, Genesis’ spokesman, said in a report by The Car Connection that the 6-speed manual gearbox will be paired with the G70’s standard 2.0-liter turbo-4. There are no details though on the pricing of these different trim levels.
It is further revealed that the G70’s manual option is only for purists, which means those who can handle the turbo-4 and a rear-wheel drive. On the other hand, the more powerful 3.3-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine will be exclusive with the 8-speed automatic that will be optional with the turbo-4.
It’s in the fuel economy that will suffer, apparently. The rear-wheel-drive G70 will be powered by the 2.0-liter inline-4 with manual transmission. That has an EPA rating of 18 mpg city, 28 highway, and 22 combined. Compare that to the 22/30/25 mpg for the G70 with an automatic transmission, the turbo-4, and rear-wheel drive, and the manual option surely did a take a lot of hit.
The rest of the lineup will have these ratings: 21/28/23 mpg for the turbo-4, the 8-speed automatic, and the all-wheel drive, 18/26/21 mpg for the optional V-6, and 18/25/20 mpg for the V-6 and all-wheel drive.
The G70 will probably make its debut this early 2018 as a 2019 model, so that should come anytime soon. As for the prices, though there is no official word yet, it will probably be in the $30,000 bracket.
Aside from the Hyundai Genesis G70, other luxury models from other brands offering manual transmission are the Cadillac ATS, Audi A4, and BMW 3-Series.