The Mercedes-Benz A-Class has now been discontinued globally, but according to a report by Autoblog, citing Automobilwoche, the nameplate is set for a resurrection – though perhaps not in the way enthusiasts had hoped.
It’s reportedly set to debut some time in 2028, and will apparently return to its roots somewhat in terms of styling, with Mercedes-Benz development chief Jörg Burzer saying it “will be a model that doesn’t currently exist in this form.”
Jog your memory back a little, and you may remember that the A-Class originally featured a completely different body style for its first two generations. Depending on your interpretation, you might liken the original design to an egg or an oddly proportioned MPV. This was a byproduct of its revolutionary ‘sandwich floor’ construction, a clever bit of engineering that stacked the mechanicals beneath the cabin.
While it gave the car a high-riding, ‘tall-boy’ silhouette, it also meant that in a crash, the engine would slide under the floor rather than into your lap. This design offered a surprisingly spacious interior and even spawned a long-wheelbase model, all within a compact footprint. However, that unique packaging was eventually abandoned for a more conventional design, presumably due to consumer preference, which gave us the sleeker shapes of the third- and outgoing fourth-generation A-Class.
The pendulum is swinging back as the next A-Class will reportedly be a mix between the current hatchback and the B-Class, resulting in a silhouette with a notably tall roofline. By prioritising interior space and practicality, Mercedes-Benz is effectively moving the car into the same aesthetic territory as a BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer.
Because of this pivot toward a family-friendly, multi-energy package, the raucous AMG variants are unlikely to return. While the current Mercedes-AMG A45S will likely remain on sale until the very end of this generation’s life cycle in 2028, a high-performance successor for the new shape seems improbable.
For those looking to secure a piece of A-Class history before the design shifts permanently, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia continues to offer several variants of the current generation. The A-Class Sedan remains available in A200 Progressive Line trim for RM216,888, while the A250 4Matic AMG Line is priced at RM239,888.
If you require more drama, the A35 4Matic remains the top choice at RM323,888. However, if it’s the hatchback you’re after, there’s only the fire-breathing Mercedes-AMG A45S 4matic+ to fill that gap for RM509,888.
