Mercedes-Benz continues development of the new A-Class hatchback, and even though current spy shots are disappointingly drab, the public has been promised that the concept shown at the Shanghai Auto Show is a good approximation of what the final product will be.

The upcoming A-Class is Mercedes’ counter to the BMW 1-series and Audi A3, and it’s clear that the luxury car maker will have to offer a more exciting vehicle to wrest sales from its German rivals. Although the production car still has the show car’s narrow glasshouse and rakish windshield profile, the biggest change for the production A-class is the addition of rear doors. The interior is expected to carry upmarket trim based on the C-Class.

The new A-Class’ core engine is a 2-liter gasoline powerplant, which in hot hatch form will produce a little over 200 horsepower. But the mainstream production versions should produce closer to 150 horsepower, mated to a dual-clutch transmission and mounted transversely. Diesel engines will also be made available varying power levels. Down the line, it’s safe to expect AMG versions, as Mercedes’ performance division has intimated.

All this will be underpinned by the new MFA platform, which features strut suspension in front and a multi-link setup in the rear.

According to Mercedes’ design director, Gorden Wagener, the Vision A concept car is identical to the production version of the new A-Class that will be launched next year. Apart from the fact the the production car will be a five door, other difference will be in changes to the window line, headlights and grille. Otherwise, what you see in the Vision A concept car will essentially be carried over. Wagener has also stated that the show car’s swooping roofline would stay the same, as well as the large display screen seen in the interior. This electronic display is just an indicator that the A-class is likely to have the ability to download applications for the car’s systems and the driver’s infotainment needs.

Motive power for the new A-Class would be composed of transverse-mounted 4-cylinder turbos, with differing power levels to be made available based on various engine displacements. Stop-start technology will be standard, as well as a manual transmission. A dual-clutch transmission will be optional and a slushbox will not be offered.

As has been widely rumored, a hot hatch AMG version will also appear, to be powered by a specially tuned turbo four. All-wheel-drive is still not a done deal, as the drivetrain increases the car’s weight by 60 kilos.