Spied! The 2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Diesel in L.A. [Spy Photos]

Is Mercedes-Benz bring the A-Class diesel to the States?

TFL reader Cameron Coop was out cruising through the westside of Los Angeles last weekend when he came across a pair of 2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatchbacks tooling down the street. He claims that one of them had a “D” on the gas tank door and sounded like an oil-burner as is pulled away from him.

That would be an interesting departure from the all-things EV tide that automakers have been dropping into ever since China announced its ban on gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles in the coming decades. Even more intriguing: The fact that Mercedes-Benz was testing a new diesel engine in Southern California, home to stringent air-quality standards and a decidedly pro-EV environmental bent.

We don’t know much about the A-Class vehicles that Mercedes-Benz is going to be rolling out here in the States, except that they’ll slot below the current GLA crossover and CLA sedan as MB’s most affordable offerings with sticker prices in the low $30,000 range. That will allow the GLA/CLA models to go upscale a bit more to compete against other offerings in that range. There are reportedly eight different variations of the A-Class including a 5-door hatch (here), a sedan, and a sports coupe.

Power for these front-wheel-drive vehicles coming from 4-cylinder engines (and a diesel option, apparently). Judging by the relative lack of camo and other spy shots of A-Class vehicles from around the world, it seems as though Mercedes-Benz is on track to unveil the A-Class as a 2019 model for sale in fall 2018.

Thanks to Cameron for the great shots and good ears. If you spot a prototype on the streets, take a few snaps and email them to info@tflcar.com. And be sure to give us your permission to publish the photos when you do.

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