The Mercedes A-class's radical 'sandwich' platform is about to be consigned to history. Hilton Holloway mourns its passing. At the time, it seemed like a good idea. Indeed, it was a brilliant piece of engineering that should be regarded as the most radical rethink of small car technology since the Austin Mini was launched 38 years before. But, as you read this, Mercedes-Benz is preparing to pull the production plug on its current A-class and B-class models, the direct descendants of the original 1997 W168 model. And with it goes Mercedes' brilliantly innovative 'sandwich' platform, its unique, slant-mounted drivetrains, the exceptionally spacious interior, and the flat floor and detachable seating that made the A-class a potentially revolutionary concept.
展开▼
