The Mercedes Concept A previews future small Mercs

More news from Shanghai. This is the Mercedes Concept A, a concept that previews Merc's “next generation of compact vehicles”.

Which means that this is more or less what the next CLA, GLA and A-Class will look like when they’re launched in a couple of years’ time.

It’s the latest implementation of Mercedes ‘Sensual Purity' design language. Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener says “with its perfect proportions and a sensual treatment of surfaces with reduced lines,” the Concept A “has the potential to introduce a new design era." Blimey.

The concept is 4,570mm long, 1,870mm wide and 1,462mm tall, making it shorter, wider and taller than the existing CLA. The wheels are 20s (which “radiate technical precision”, apparently) and there’s the Panamerica grille as featured on the AMG GT R supercar. 

Mercedes hasn’t given us any technical details – as it’s a concept, it may not even have an engine – but it does make a pretty big deal of the headlights and taillights, which feature a special UV coating that glows different colours. 

And there you have it. Enough to make you look forward to future, small Mercs?