2012 seems a long way off to accurately predict anything. But, I would not like to lose the safety of the sandwich design unless MB replace it with something even safer.
The VW Golf / Rabbit TDI is starting to look a lot like my next car - unless battery technology improves to make a diesel - electric, plug-in hybrid viable by 2012, or sooner.
They probably won't begin design work on this car for at least a year. They don't even know what platform it's going to be built on yet (FIAT, Renault??).
In the first picture in the link the design looks slightly Audi-ish.
Have heard in the UK that they may well lose the floor sandwich part of the design partly in order to lower the C of G (and probably cost has got a lot to do with it). Sounds like a good safety issue is being discarded here.
Hmm, I don't plan to buy another car for a decade or more....unless smart brings the fortwo BRABUS over here, then all bets are off.
I'm with Mike on this one. The present B works wonderfully for me.
If the mechanicals don't act up, I plan to keep it forever.
Considering the present success of the A and B shape and the flexibility it offers; why offer another sedan shape and call it the new B class?
The Vibe, Matrix and Mazda 5 have a similar shape and are popular because of their capacity to carry a lot in a small size.
The B class has a rightful place in the market as an upscale little carrier with added safety compared to the others. Why dramatically change such a good thing?
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