Mercedes-Benz ‘Baby CLS’ Revealed In Factory Spy Photos?

Rumours have been kicking around for some time now that Mercedes-Benz is planning a new small sedan, built on the platform utilised by the all-new 2012 A-Class.

Past reports have dubbed the mysterious new model 'BLS'- with some speculating that the sedan would be based on the new B-Class - while others have referred to it as a new CLC.

This week, insiders at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Hungary have have snapped a handful of new spy shots, offering a first glimpse at what may be the small sedan's 'body in white' - its empty and unpainted shell. 

According to enthusiast blog BenzInsider, the CLS-inspired small sedan will feature front-wheel-drive in its regular form, while high-powered AMG variants will benefit from an all-wheel-drive system.

Power and performance figures remain unknown, although earlier reports claim the AMG variant could offer as much as 240kW - all from a twin-turbo 2.0 litre four-cylinder engines, making it one of the most powerful production four-cylinder engines on the market.

On the styling front, reports earlier this year suggest the new model could draw its styling from both the CLS and the popular F800 concept. As for target market, expect the new model to tackle Audi's upcoming A3 Sedan.