Geneva 2012: New Mercedes A Class Repels Pensioners

In response to the latest BMW 1 Series and Audi's brand new A3, Mercedes and their performance arm, AMG, have teamed up to create a new premium hatchback. The smallest car with a three-pointed star is now a worthy rival to the fellow Germans since Mercedes have ditched the tall and boxy granny-like design in favour of this much better looking five-door hatchback.

One feature of the exterior that stands out a lot is the "diamond" grille which is heavily influenced by the Concept A-Class coupe but another neat touch on this particular car, the Sport model, is the red lip above the chin spoiler.

Inside, it shares a similar interior with the B Class MPV; SLS-like air vents and instrument panel, a big stereo system in the centre and also a floating Command screen. The system is compatible with iPhones and you can even use Siri through it which means you can text your friends or search the internet on the move using only your voice, unless you have a strong accent that is. You can even get leather sport seats with an integrated headrests as an optional extra.

Two petrol engines will be available from launch; a 1.6 and a 2.0 plus three diesels including a 2.2 CDI and one that produces only 99g/km of CO2. All units come with a six-speed manual and stop/start technology as standard with an optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox available as a cost option.

Prices start at £24,000 which is a lot more expensive than most of its rivals and slightly more expensive than a Lexus CT200h. Mind you, it is a Mercedes after all. The new A Class arrives in showrooms in Autum and according to Autocar, there's even a spicy A25 AMG 4Matic with a turbocharged 2.0 petrol producing 350bhp is being planned too. We won't see that until 2013 though.