Mercedes-Benz Officially Introduces the New A-Class Hatch, gets up to 208HP [Photos & Videos ]

The Geneva Motor Show's second worst kept secret after the Volvo V40, the all-new 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatchback, was finally revealed today.

The new A-Class represents both a radical and a conservative departure from the two previous generations of Mercedes-Benz's compact model series.

To explain, conservative, in the sense that it abandons the tall sandwich platform and mini-MPV-like body of the outgoing model for a more traditional hatchback shape, but also a radical departure because of the far more sportier and sexier design inside and out.

Previewed by last year's concept model of the same name, the new five-door A-Class is based on Mercedes' new MFA (modular front architecture) platform. It measures 4,292mm long, 1,780mm wide and 1,433mm tall, which makes it 32mm shorter but 15mm wider and 12mm taller than its main rival, the BMW 1-Series hatchback.

However, unlike the BMW model that uses a rear-wheel drive setup, the A-Class is driven by its front wheels, which means it should provide more ample space inside.