Mercedes has previewed the look of the next-generation A-Class by unveiling the Concept A Sedan at the 2017 Shanghai Motor Show.

The concept previews the future look of the brand’s next generation of compact cars – more specifically, the fourth-generation A-Class and the possible expansion of the small car range with a new A-Class saloon.

The concept is longer than the current hatch, but narrower and taller. Its only familiar design theme is the Panamericana grille, which was first seen on the AMG GT and is expected to feature on all ‘full-house’ AMG models (like the A 45 AMG) in the coming years.

The 20-inch alloys, surface detailing on the bonnet and narrow LED headlamps are new styling features.

Mercedes’ Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener told Auto Express, “The next generation of our small cars, we can build from scratch. The proportions will be familiar - it will still be an A-Class - but we just made it so much better. The car, even though it’s front-wheel drive, has our typical rear-wheel-drive proportions. We can put bigger wheels on the platform, too; we managed to negotiate that with the engineering side. But the next generation will look even sportier, in a very clean style.”