The Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class that was revealed at the 2011 New York Auto Show gave an inkling as to what the 2013 Mercedes-Benz A-Class is going to look like. Recent spy shots of the third generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class show that the forthcoming vehicle resembles the patent drawings that were leaked earlier.

The 2013 A-Class is expected to be powered by a choice of turbocharged engines, both gasoline and diesel. Also on the offer are conventional manual transmissions or a dual clutch automatic. It is likely that the base engine will be a turbocharged and direct injected 2.0-liter unit capable of churning out nearly 210 hp.

The spy shots unveil that the prototype features a five-door hatchback design with a sloping front-end and the company’s stretched arch design for the cabin. According to motorauthority, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz A-Class is to get a new front-wheel drive platform codenamed MFA (Mercedes Frontwheel Architecture) that does away with the former sandwich construction for a more conventional car-like design.

Also anticipated to be on the company’s cards is a sportier three-door version with similar proportions to the Concept A-Class as well as a high-performance AMG version with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine expected to yield around 320 hp.

Meanwhile, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz A-Class is expected to make a debut in the U.S. in 2013. However, the vehicle is to get the forthcoming A-Class by 2012 end.

via motorauthority