2008 Mercedes A-Class Facelift & 2011 Mercedes A & B-Class?

The current Mercedes A-Class has been on the market since 2005 but German car magazine, Autobild said a facelift model could be planned for 2008 with a smiley face. The next model should arrive onto the European market by 2011 or 2012 this time round the A-Class will be less MPV like and more coupe like as it will rival with the upcoming Audi A1. Both 3 door and 5 door are likely. The magazine also reported a diesel-hybrid co-developed with Citroen & Peugeot PSA or Honda. This should give the upcoming A-Class excellent fuel economy and ultra low emissions.

Sources say the next A-Class could underpin the next Dodge Caliber. Despite the B-Class being based on a extended platform of the A-Class this could also be based on the next Cailber. Mercedes is currently test mules now but they are related to Chrysler.

The following things are considered by DamilerChrysler:

This project may be cancelled because Chrysler's technique is not highly sophisticated enough for Mercedes and developed with a low budget- At a volume of 600,000 cars per year (current: lower than 300,000), a 3 and 5-door A-class, a 5-door B-class and a B-class Sportcoupé (replacing the C-class Sportcoupé) is being considered.

Mercedes and Chrysler have quite different ideas about the engines to be built in, which is one reason Mercedes is looking for a different Partner.

There are three possible partners: PSA, Honda and VW- PSA would profit from lower costs, a higher volume, access to Mercedese's quality managment, all-wheel drive and double-clutch gear.

Honda could be interesting because of their far developed hybrid technology.

A partnership with VW could be difficult since Porsche took over a big part of VW.

A second facelift (model year 2012) is possible to gain more time until a suitable partner has been found.

Mercedes C-Class Wagon Spied

Mercedes is starting to shed some disguise on the new C-Class station wagon. Don't be fooled by the fake light clusters implanted on the bootlid, they are there to confuse spy photographers and car enthusiasts. Recent prototypes have been caught in Germany wearing wafer thin disguise over the side rear window, tail lamps, bootlid and rear windscreen. Engines will be taken from the recently launched C-Class sedan.

Mercedes is even planning a C63 AMG station wagon to rival with the upcoming BMW M3 wagon but UK prices are likely to start around £55,000 or $110,000 US dollars.

The new C-Class wagon will be revealed at this year's Frankfurt Motorshow in September with sales starting in early 2008.

The first photo shows a C-Class wagon wearing AMG alloys wheels, please note that this is NOT a C63 AMG but just the regular C-Class wagon.

2008 Citroen C5 Undisguised

This is the first photo showing what the next C5 will look like. A French magazine got their spy photographer into Citroen's plant where the next C5 will be made.

The photographer took 5 photos showing most angles. French car manufactures have been well known for the poor security.

The diesel engines will be kept but there will be new petrol ones. Hopefully Citroen will unveil the new C5 at this years Frankfurt Motorshow in September.

Prices are expected to be competitive in the European market. A price tag of £15,000 should be ideal for the basic model. Production is starting late 2007 and sales should start in early 2008 across Europe.

The new C5 will go up aganist the recently launched Ford Mondeo, Toyota Avensis, Volkswagen Passat, Renault Laguna, Peugeot 407, Honda Accord, Mazda6, Vauxhall/Opel Vectra, Seat Toledo, Skoda Superb, Dodge Avenger, Chrysler Sebring, Chevrolet Epica etc.

The car shown here is a hatchback.