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Mercedes-Benz X-Class Subcompact For 2018: Report

Not content to allow rival automakers BMW and Audi to have a duopoly on the sub-compact luxury market, Mercedes-Benz is reportedly planning a city car of its own. Provisionally dubbed the “X-Class”, the rumoured baby Benz would be develop


Not content to allow rival automakers BMW and Audi to have a duopoly on the sub-compact luxury market, Mercedes-Benz is reportedly planning a city car of its own.

Provisionally dubbed the "X-Class", the rumoured baby Benz would be developed in partnership with Renault-Nissan and slot in below the A-Class (pictured) and above the smart fortwo, to do battle with the Audi A1, MINI Cooper and BMW i3.

According to British auto outlet car Online, the X-Class will be four metres in length and sit astride a platform that will be shared with the next generation of Nissan and Renault sub-compacts.

But don't expect it any time soon. car's sources say the X-Class is still in the conceptual stage and won't debut until 2018.

When it does eventually arrive, the X-Class will reportedly be offered in two variants - a compact crossover, and an MPV-style small wagon. The Renault-sourced diesel and petrol engines will range in size from 1.0 to 1.5 litres, and will feature turbocharging, direct-injection and Mercedes-designed heads.

The X-Class platform will be based upon that used by Nissan and Renault, but with plug-in reinforcements to improve chassis dynamics and crash safety. Due to cost constraints the rear axle will likely be a simple torsion beam, but Mercedes-Benz isn't expected to skimp on safety equipment or luxury appointments. 

Expected to be sold in Europe, North America and China, each X-Class bodystyle could add as much as 150,000 sales per annum to Mercedes-Benz's total. What proportion of all Mercedes sales that will equal has yet to be determined - after all, 2018 is a long way off.

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