Mercedes-Benz Introduces the A 35 Sedan

Meh 

I think this is a pretty bargain performance package, I imagine they price it in the low $40s (starting)  and it is a fast car for that money.  Glad to see they added some rigidity also, sounds similar to what they do with the underside of the SL and probably every concertible.

Maybe GM can buy this engine off Mercedes for all those front drive Cadillacs.  302 hp and 295 lb-ft with a dual clutch sounds better than the 237 hp unit they have now.

You mean the 272 HP turbocharged motor in the REAR wheel drive ATS? Or the available 335 HP 6?
I think Cadillac is good- let's see what the CT4 brings.

I was sold on the faux leather.  MB Tex as Mercedes calls it. 

I guess all that Vegan demographic with their Smart cars prompted Mercedes Benz to go retro with the 1970s vinyl seat fad. 

1 hour ago, balthazar said:

You mean the 272 HP turbocharged motor in the REAR wheel drive ATS? Or the available 335 HP 6?
I think Cadillac is good- let's see what the CT4 brings.

But the XT4 and XT5 don't have that.   And that 335 hp V6 is way low on torque.  A V6 should have at least 350 lb-ft or what is the point?  The 3-series 6 cylinder is 382 hp and 369 lb-ft. 

There should be a 400 hp engine coming to the A-class, unless that make that CLA only, either way this 302 hp four is really the mid-level.  

Plastic seats

Plastic seats

Plastic seats

37 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

But the XT4 and XT5 don't have that.   And that 335 hp V6 is way low on torque.  A V6 should have at least 350 lb-ft or what is the point?  The 3-series 6 cylinder is 382 hp and 369 lb-ft. 

There should be a 400 hp engine coming to the A-class, unless that make that CLA only, either way this 302 hp four is really the mid-level.  

The 3 series 6 cylinder is also turbocharged. Cadillac has 3 turbo V6es... All of which out power that BMW motor

Actually I would rather have a higher quality leatherette (my Beetle TDi for example, and my Compass bolsters) than actual leather.  It wears much longer and is not prone to cracking.  Compare an old S-Class with MB-Tex and leather, I guarantee you the leather will be in worse shape.

I am very pleased that my Compass bolsters look perfect after almost 40k miles.  My previous Colorado (traded at 38k miles) cloth bolsters were wearing, scuffed and wrinkled on the outer edge.

49 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

Plastic seats

Plastic seats

Plastic seats

The 3 series 6 cylinder is also turbocharged. Cadillac has 3 turbo V6es... All of which out power that BMW motor

They will sell you leather seats if you prefer.

And Cadillac should use the turbo V6 and drop that 3.6 like a sack of dirt.  Why you would offer less motor than BMW and Mercedes who you are trying to knock off the top of the mountain is beyond me.

Just now, smk4565 said:

They will sell you leather seats if you prefer.

And Cadillac should use the turbo V6 and drop that 3.6 like a sack of dirt.  Why you would offer less motor than BMW and Mercedes who you are trying to knock off the top of the mountain is beyond me.

They offer more options and more power.  

50 minutes ago, ocnblu said:

Actually I would rather have a higher quality leatherette (my Beetle TDi for example, and my Compass bolsters) than actual leather.  It wears much longer and is not prone to cracking.  Compare an old S-Class with MB-Tex and leather, I guarantee you the leather will be in worse shape.

I am very pleased that my Compass bolsters look perfect after almost 40k miles.  My previous Colorado (traded at 38k miles) cloth bolsters were wearing, scuffed and wrinkled on the outer edge.

The MB-Tex could last longer than a lot of leather, the S-class never had MB-tex though.  But anything E-class and down starts with MB-tex.  And that stuff is durable, so there is a benefit there.

Cloth or leather for me. 

No in between.  

I like the look of used leather.  

Cracked leather...one has to treat it so it doesnt get dry but I got to admit, not a very nice trait. Not nice to look at. So yeah, lots of work needed for it not to crack. Maybe the high maintenance for keeping leather durable maybe not be all that its worth, Ill admit. But, worn leather has a certain charm to it that I value...especially high end leather in very high end cars. 

So...between cloth and leatherette, Id go for...cloth.   If I want the real stuff, then I go for the real stuff.  And in a Mercedes Benz, for North America, because Mercedes Benz IN North America SHOULD be luxury...then leather it SHOULD be.

In Europe, where 300 some odd horsepower and 300 some odd torques kills you at the gas pump, so THAT motor probably not even offered...and if it is..then I doubt it be selling in substantial numbers anyway...if Im buying an A Class for Greece lets say, then it probably have a 1.4 or 1.5 liter 4 banger with 90 horses and 90 torques...or maybe a diesel  then I dont think MB TEX is even on the option list...

Where am I going with this?

Oh yeah...An AMG Mercedes Benz  in the States should not even come with faux leather...but lets bash Cadillac...because THAT would be the easy thing to do...

PS:

Ford takes recycled plastic water bottles and turn that into yarn to make their seats...and its cloth in appearance...Ford calls that Repreve. |I like what Ford is doing. 

1 minute ago, Drew Dowdell said:

They offer more options and more power.  

But in an ATS you can't get a turbo 6 until the ATS-V.  Now that may change on CT4.  But you can get a V8 in a C-class, so you should be able to get the Blackwing V8 in a CT4.  Unless the CT4 ends up Audi A3 size and smaller than the current ATS, then a beefed up ATS-V motor will work.

This A-class will sell, the GLB will sell like hot cakes I bet when it arrives.  

2 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

the GLB will sell like hot cakes I bet when it arrives.  

Looks weird.

I bet Cadillac outsells Mercedes Benz in all the respective CUV and SUV niches...

A CLA45 is rated at 23/30 mpg, this will be higher.  In Europe the A35 is rated at 38 mpg combined but that scale is worthless.  

Just now, oldshurst442 said:

Looks weird.

I bet Cadillac outsells Mercedes Benz in all the respective CUV and SUV niches...

 

 

We don't know what the GLB looks like yet.

Mercedes shares the noses of their cars from the CLA to the S-class; of course we know what it'll look like - a imperceptible tweak of every other mercedes. It's not like MB ever builds any of their concept designs...

oopsies...that goshdarnit alphanumeric name...

I thought you was talking about the new SUV from M-B that just came out now...I googled and I mistook it for the GLE

My bad...

The GLE is generic. Yeah yeah...so is the XT6.  But...you know...we could throw GM under the bus for making a generic Caddy SUV, but M-B also made theirs look somewhat like last gen Equinox in the 3/4 pillar...

Kinda...sorta...

Anyway...very generic to say the least.

I dont think the GLE will be winning any stylistic awards...so yeah...Ill stick to what I originally said...

I bet Caddy kicks Mercedes' ass in CUV and SUV sales...

Besides, I think the new Caddy face is refreshing. And looks awesome for their CUVs and SUVs. Something that WILL translate into huge sales for Cadillac.  

2 minutes ago, oldshurst442 said:

oopsies...that goshdarnit alphanumeric name...

I thought you was talking about the new SUV from M-B that just came out now...I googled and I mistook it for the GLE

My bad...

The GLE is generic. Yeah yeah...so is the XT6.  But...you know...we could throw GM under the bus for making a generic Caddy SUV, but M-B also made theirs look somewhat like last gen Equinox in the 3/4 pillar...

 

Kinda...sorta...

Anyway...very generic to say the least.

I dont think the GLE will be winning any stylistic awards...so yeah...Ill stick to what I originally said...

I bet Caddy kicks Mercedes' ass in CUV and SUV sales...

The GLE has that C pillar because the 1997 ML had it, and they have kept it ever since.  The XT6 won't outsell the GLE, the GLE/ML has been a strong seller for a good while, probably the best selling SUV over $50k the past 10 years, although I don't care to tally up sales of it and the X5 to find out.   It has track record, great interior, 3rd row seat now, and should do well in fuel economy with the new engines and the GLE has 4 engines to pick from vs the XT6's 1.

What really matters is will the GLE63 take the SUV Nurburgring lap time from the GLC63.

24 minutes ago, balthazar said:

Mercedes shares the noses of their cars from the CLA to the S-class; of course we know what it'll look like - a imperceptible tweak of every other mercedes. It's not like MB ever builds any of their concept designs...

Which Audi and BMW do also.  And Cadillac and Lincoln are trying to move towards.   Even Lexus puts that predator mouth grille on everything.   Mercedes does offer 3 grill options per model in most cases though.

There is 4 different fronts and that is all off 1 model.  I think they differentiate just fine.

You said 'we don't know what it's going to look like', but like I said; we do. Same thing at audi/BMW- the german lockstep triplets. And Cadillac has already done the 'every model looks the same' when they hung the same front clip on multiple models decades ago.
- - - - -
The pics above don't dispute the CLA/S-Coupe fraternal twin-ship, tho. NEVER should have put the bottom feeder CLA nose on a $90+K car too, cheapens the shit out of it. A deal-breaker.

2 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

What really matters is will the GLE63 take the SUV Nurburgring lap time from the GLC63.

Oxymoron

And peeps dont care about that concerning crossovers.

They barely care for that on sports cars...

3 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

It has track record, great interior, 3rd row seat now, and should do well in fuel economy with the new engines

The new Big Daddy Caddy is set to arrive soon.  Plus the GMC and Chevy versions...

Sure, the GLE will sell well...but GM will clean out in this price range. Just the Chevy version will handily outsell M-B...

5 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

The XT6 won't outsell the GLE, the GLE/ML has been a strong seller for a good while, probably the best selling SUV over $50k the past 10 years

And Im willing to bet that it does. Even with 1 engine offering. And even if it doesnt...GM as a company in that price range will easily outsell Mercedes Benz...

Remember...Chevrolet taps into that price range in their SUVs. Luxury brand or not...price range is what counts here.  Mercedes Benz lowered its aspirations in North America for volume sake.  Kudos for Chevy for being able to sell Chevys in that price range.

.Your argument, whatever it may be...is null and void.

The point being, an AMG Mercedes Benz should not even offer plastic seats. 

I will even say that AMG should not even exist in this price range. A 300 horse turbo 4 aint that special...

Ford has got one...the new Mustang is 310horses and 350 ft lbs. Its just a Ford on a BASE model at that...

AMG is supposed to be special, non?

That aint special...

I just remembered. The soon to be dead Focus and its RS version,well, THAT 4 cylinder version makes 350 horses and 350 ft lbs...

We could wax poetic all we want about this AMG baby Benz, and as enthusiasts, we should applaud this effort because in a world of CUVs, smart phones and a future where folks envision of not even driving, I still find it hard for me to accept this car seriously. 

Its the fakeness of it all, I guess.

The fakeness of AMG on THIS particular effort. Not on a performance level.  But on what makes an AMG special. 

On the fake leather stuff.

On the FWD based vehicle.  JUST because of how Mercedes has branded itself on the position it has taken vis-a-vis RWD and AWD. 

The hypocrisy of the automotive journalist world of shytting on Cadillac for their FWD STS all those years prior...

The hypocrisy of the "car enthusiast" that shat on Cadillac for FWD STS but praised anything shytty that M-B slung our way...INCLUDING THIS...

yeah SMK...even you...

Funny, no dissing this flavoured Merc...

Its only got 300 horses and  and NOT EVEN 300 ft-lbs...and apparently it needs AWD to put all that god fearing power down...GTFO!!! (I guess I am not accepting it even on a performance level...because I see its performance fakeness on that level too...)

Yeah...Im cynical with this car...

2 hours ago, ocnblu said:

Actually I would rather have a higher quality leatherette (my Beetle TDi for example, and my Compass bolsters) than actual leather.  It wears much longer and is not prone to cracking.  Compare an old S-Class with MB-Tex and leather, I guarantee you the leather will be in worse shape.

I am very pleased that my Compass bolsters look perfect after almost 40k miles.  My previous Colorado (traded at 38k miles) cloth bolsters were wearing, scuffed and wrinkled on the outer edge.

Yet my Escalade with real leather seats still looks new at 140,000 miles, why go fake when real is just better.  

Reminds me of a certain singer who said silicon parts are made for toys!

That is how I feel about fax leatherette!

25 minutes ago, oldshurst442 said:

On the FWD based vehicle.  JUST because of how Mercedes has branded itself on the position it has taken vis-a-vis RWD and AWD. 

Should read:  "on the position it has taken vis-a-vis RWD and FWD"

I think it looks good outside. I think it looks good inside. I'd drive one but the price tag is just too much for the size of vehicle(assuming, because it's a Mercedes). 

13 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

The 3 series 6 cylinder is also turbocharged. Cadillac has 3 turbo V6es... All of which out power that BMW motor

Certainly not in a competing model, yet. 

1 minute ago, ccap41 said:

Certainly not in a competing model, yet. 

Which model are you referring to? The A 35?  Cadillac most certainly does have a competing product. 

12 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

The GLE is generic. Yeah yeah...so is the XT6.  But...you know...we could throw GM under the bus for making a generic Caddy SUV, but M-B also made theirs look somewhat like last gen Equinox in the 3/4 pillar...

I don't think people are really disappointed in the XT6's looks as much as the substance. 

19 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

Which model are you referring to? The A 35?  Cadillac most certainly does have a competing product. 

The 3 Series you commented to smk about.

2 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

The 3 Series you commented to smk about.

ATS Turbo 4 = 272 hp / 3-series Turbo 4 = 255 hp
ATS Turbo 6 = 460 hp / 3-series Turbo 6 = 382 hp / M3 Turbo 6 = 425 HP

What you're implying is that the ATS doesn't have a competitive engine simply because it also offers a 335hp naturally aspirated 6. 

It's kinda moot though since the ATS sedan is now out of production and the CT4 will be replacing it, likely with a 400hp 3.0 V6.  I'm sure SMK will find some other reason that it "isn't competitive" like the ashtray liner being the wrong material or something. 

11 hours ago, dfelt said:

Yet my Escalade with real leather seats still looks new at 140,000 miles, why go fake when real is just better.  

We need proof of this claim.. No way does it look new at 140,000 miles with a giant occupying the seat for those miles. 

I have no problem with faux leather seats. I just have a problem with getting them in a $40k+ car.   In a Jetta... no problem. 

5 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

ATS Turbo 4 = 272 hp / 3-series Turbo 4 = 255 hp
ATS  6 =  335hp no torque / 3-series Turbo 6 = 382 hp

ATS Turbo 6 = 460 hp/ M3 Turbo 6 = 425 HP

What you're implying is that the ATS doesn't have a competitive engine simply because it also offers a 335hp naturally aspirated 6. 

It's kinda moot though since the ATS sedan is now out of production and the CT4 will be replacing it, likely with a 400hp 3.0 V6.  I'm sure SMK will find some other reason that it "isn't competitive" like the ashtray liner being the wrong material or something. 

 

6 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

 

The issue is that SMK keeps saying that Cadillac doesn't have a competitive turbo 6... the truth is they have 3 versions of turbo 6 that are more than competitive. (3.0tt = 400hp, 3.6tt = 420hp, 3.6tt = 460hp)

We also know BMW is very well known for underrating their engines. A "255" hp engine is very likely close to 300hp. 

Their previous 2.0T in the 3 Series at 240hp/255tq outran the 272hp/260tq ATS. 

3 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

The issue is that SMK keeps saying that Cadillac doesn't have a competitive turbo 6... the truth is they have 3 versions of turbo 6 that are more than competitive. (3.0tt = 400hp, 3.6tt = 420hp, 3.6tt = 460hp)

They do, they just don't have those in "regularly available" trims. As soon as the CT5 comes out ditching that n/a 3.6, it will be great. 

V Sport is the 3rd engine up the line, V Series is obviously the top engine in the line, and the 3.0TT was also the top engine(above a 2.0T and the damn n/a 3.6) at the time until the 4.0TT comes/came out. 

1 hour ago, ccap41 said:

We need proof of this claim.. No way does it look new at 140,000 miles with a giant occupying the seat for those miles. 

@Drew Dowdell

OK Guys, tell me what you think of my 13 year old seats in my 2006 Escalade ESV. Yes it sits in the Garage so it has added protection, but every time you open the doors you smell leather a new like smell.

I am OCD about cleaning my auto's and using leather wipes to keep them clean and lotioned. There is no dirt on the head rests or around the stitched emblem. Yes there are the normal leather creases on the bottom side bolster areas, but I have seen new leather seats with this already.

13 hours ago, dfelt said:

Yet my Escalade with real leather seats still looks new at 140,000 miles, why go fake when real is just better.  

Reminds me of a certain singer who said silicon parts are made for toys!

That is how I feel about fax leatherette!

I prefer real leather also, my car has the Napa leather upgrade, I prefer to the MB Tex.  But they offer leather on every car and upgraded leather to cars that do have leather standard.

25 minutes ago, dfelt said:

@Drew Dowdell

OK Guys, tell me what you think of my 13 year old seats in my 2006 Escalade ESV. Yes it sits in the Garage so it has added protection, but every time you open the doors you smell leather a new like smell.

I am OCD about cleaning my auto's and using leather wipes to keep them clean and lotioned. There is no dirt on the head rests or around the stitched emblem. Yes there are the normal leather creases on the bottom side bolster areas, but I have seen new leather seats with this already.

Those do look in great condition.

2 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

ATS Turbo 4 = 272 hp / 3-series Turbo 4 = 255 hp
ATS Turbo 6 = 460 hp / 3-series Turbo 6 = 382 hp / M3 Turbo 6 = 425 HP

What you're implying is that the ATS doesn't have a competitive engine simply because it also offers a 335hp naturally aspirated 6. 

It's kinda moot though since the ATS sedan is now out of production and the CT4 will be replacing it, likely with a 400hp 3.0 V6.  I'm sure SMK will find some other reason that it "isn't competitive" like the ashtray liner being the wrong material or something. 

 

The ATS-V is/was about $65k.  That 380 hp BMW is like $49k.  That was my complaint, Cadillac prices their 3.6 V6 where the other guys price their turbo 6.

3 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

The ATS-V is/was about $65k.  That 380 hp BMW is like $49k.  That was my complaint, Cadillac prices their 3.6 V6 where the other guys price their turbo 6.

Actually, Cadillac prices their V6 where the other guys price their Turbo-4.  And they priced their Turbo-4 where the other guys priced their low-output turbo-4. 

21 hours ago, smk4565 said:

The MB-Tex could last longer than a lot of leather, the S-class never had MB-tex though.  But anything E-class and down starts with MB-tex.  And that stuff is durable, so there is a benefit there.

Most W140 sedans, being top of the line, were originally upholstered in German leather.  (1991-1999)

BUT... going BACK IN TIME...

US bound Mercedes Benz W126 sedans were upholstered in either genuine leather or MB Tex vinyl, most factory colors are available.

Most W116 sedans were originally upholstered in either MB-Tex vinyl or German leather.

W108 and W109 sedans were upholstered in either MB-Tex vinyl or German leather except for some Euro models

The "Fintail" sedan's upholstery were available in either MB-Tex vinyl or German leather.

From a website that specializes in Mercedes interior restoration materials.  😛

https://www.worlduph.com/mercedes_benz/

Well they offer leather on everything if you don’t like MB Tex.  

The nice thing here is at a time when everyone else is just making crossovers andnkilling sedans, here is a sport sedan that doesn’t cost crazy money.

7 hours ago, smk4565 said:

Well they offer leather on everything if you don’t like MB Tex.  

The nice thing here is at a time when everyone else is just making crossovers andnkilling sedans, here is a sport sedan that doesn’t cost crazy money.

...but... you were so sure... you looked down your nose and informed me that an S-Class NEVER had MB-Tex...

I am reminded again that "all BMW grilles are made of metal, not plastic".

3 minutes ago, balthazar said:

I am reminded again that "all BMW grilles are made of metal, not plastic".

I am sure it was like a punch in the kidneys when he realized he was wrong...

1 hour ago, ocnblu said:

...but... you were so sure... you looked down your nose and informed me that an S-Class NEVER had MB-Tex...

I didn’t say that, I said the E-class and down has MB-Tex standard.  Whether the 70s S-class had vinyl seats or not doesn’t really matter.  I was talking about the current line up.

"ALL mercedes should have full leather standard, including a leather headliner and leather-clad wheelwells, then there should be 2 higher grades of leather available above that. I'd also like to see a fetal seal skin option."

I think the S-class and SL have 2 higher grade leather options,  E-class, GLE, GLS I think have some sort of designo upgrade to the leather.

The options and equipment mix must work as they outsell everyone else in global luxury.   Maybe vegans and people of certain religions that don't want to harm a cow like MB-Tex.  

On 3/28/2019 at 9:19 PM, smk4565 said:

the S-class never had MB-tex though

Seriously?  SAME THREAD

8 hours ago, smk4565 said:

I didn’t say that, I said the E-class and down has MB-Tex standard.  Whether the 70s S-class had vinyl seats or not doesn’t really matter.  I was talking about the current line up.

Really dude?  It's not like it was ten years ago you said S-CLASS NEVER HAD MB-TEX.

1 hour ago, ocnblu said:

Seriously?  SAME THREAD

Really dude?  It's not like it was ten years ago you said S-CLASS NEVER HAD MB-TEX.

I never knew they used it on an S-class, the past 25 years so so the S-class has not had MB TEx and I couldn't find an 80s car with it either, I read a 1988 S-class review that says leather is standard so we are 30 years with it that way.   But, MB Tex lasts longer than leather and is easier to clean.   There are Mercedes that are 50 years old with MB Tex still in good shape and that wouldn't happen with leather, it would dry out and crack.  In some ways it is a superior material to leather and all these MB Tex cars offer leather too, so the consumer has a choice.

Plus you have to have ability for people to option a car how they want in order to sell it.  If you make everything standard, then a Camry would start at $35,500 and have piss poor sales, an F150 would be $70,000 base and sell about 6,000 units a year instead of 800,000. 

MB-Tex is a high quality seat material, and has been in use for many decades, no getting around it.  A lot of vehicles are offering leatherette these days.  Several years ago I had a lady come in for an estimate, she called in an insurance claim because she spilled fingernail polish on her BMW seats and she was panicked over it.  I told her I could clean it up in a few minutes for her with some paint thinner, no charge, and she informed me that she did not want paint thinner used on her leather seats.  I had to break it to her... they were vinyl (I do not remember BMW's term for it), and the thinner would not harm the material.  She was very angry with me for telling her her BMW seats were not leather.  I told her her seats were more durable than leather, and easier to clean... she was still mad at me.  See what I get for trying to be nice to ppl?

I have a suspicion that salespeople do not try to set customers straight when they are selling a car (luxury brand or not) with high quality vinyl seats... people are not reading the window sticker or have a clue... they believe they are getting cowhide, and they are proud sumbitches...

I think BMW used the term leatherette.   (Leatherette...cowhide from a female cow.  Leather...cowhide from a male bull...)

Now its SensaTec.  Hogwash marketing terms.

M-B Tex, SensaTec

Mercedes Benz Textile and Sensible? Technology?

ITS PHOQUING VINYL... 

More of that fakeness that BMW and Mercedes Benz want to peddle...

Durability of a car seat?

When a car gets driven daily,. Nicks and dents and paint chips and rust and wear and tear and high mileage and possibly accidented...but hey! The seats look good. They're M-B Tex!!!!  GTFO!!!

I like the looks of the vinyl seats in the Escape and Edge, Ford has a goofy name for the material, like a lot of OEMs.  The new Mazda 3 has nice leatherette seats... Mazda calls them leatherette.  For Chevy Cruze's last year, the Premier model did away with leather and went with leatherette, and ppl complained... not realizing that GM was doing them a favor... (unless GM's leatherette is thin and crappy, I haven't fondled it).  We had a very high mileage first-gen Spark come in with its vinyl seats in TATTERS... the vinyl coating suffered a catastrophic failure and the woven cloth underlayment was visible.  Not all vinyl/leatherette is created equal.

If I were to get a Chevy WT regular cab, I would go with the vinyl seat covering... a lot easier to keep clean (although the alternative black cloth is not too bad I guess).