Mercedes-Benz will continue investing in compact, entry-level segments, and new spy shots of a Mercedes electric sedan that could bear the EQA moniker have just been captured. There were doubts that smaller Mercedes models like the A-Class would continue to stick around; last year, the brand emphasized its intention to focus on top-end, higher-margin models more moving forward, and the A-Class is expected to be discontinued in the USA after the 2022 model year version departs. Thankfully, as Automotive News Europe reports, small Benzes aren't dead yet, as per comments made by CEO Ola Kallenius.

"The short answer is yes," said Kallenius when asked if the company will still invest in smaller cars. "But we will continue to focus on the models we believe are the most successful on a worldwide basis. We might later this year even tease what that future would look like."

These comments from Kallenius imply that replacements for models like the A-Class and B-Class (not sold in the USA) are already at an advanced stage of development. But alongside these models is a potentially fully electric sedan that CarBuzz paparazzo have spied, which could be called the EQA Sedan.

Even though it's heavily concealed by camouflage, our spies indicated that this car is based on the Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA) platform. It's the MMA platform that will underpin a new generation of compact Mercs, according to Kallenius. Not only will it support EVs but also plug-in hybrids and ICE models. BMW has done much the same with its Cluster Architecture (CLAR) platform, which underpins everything from the fully electric i4 liftback to the gas-powered X6 SUV.

The spy shots of this possible EQA Sedan showcase a sleek, swoopy profile with frameless doors that has much in common with the CLA-Class. What looks like non-production grille coverings and taillight clusters have been used, so it's almost impossible to get a clear idea of the design details.

Sharply angled headlights and a tall trunk lid are visible on the three prototypes that were spied, and one interesting detail is that some had conventional door handles while others had flush door handles which pop out; the latter item will likely be an optional feature.

Unless Mercedes drops its EQ naming convention for EVs, the EQA would follow a familiar pattern, where the name is followed by the Sedan or SUV descriptor based on the body style. An EQA SUV has already been shown with outputs of up to 268 horsepower and a range of over 310 miles. Both these figures should be improved for the presumably lighter, more aerodynamic EQA sedan if it has the same motors.

Although we initially expected the EQA sedan to only show its face in 2024, the latest comments from Kallenius lead us to believe that we may even see it by the end of this year. It will form part of the Entry Luxury group of Mercedes models that will be culled from seven (in Europe) to four body styles.