Following closely in the tracks of the "urban and short-distance vehicle" (NAFA) concept of 1982 and the F 100 research vehicle of 1991, Vision A 93 introduced numerous ideas which were new to the automotive industry.

Unusual challenges – Vision A 93 was to be small but at the same time spacious – called for unusual solutions. And that's exactly what the Mercedes engineers came up with when they developed the "sandwich floor". In Vision A 93 the engine and transmission formed a compact unit which sat mainly underneath rather than in front of the occupants – a solution which also helped to maximize interior space. The distance between the driver or front passenger and the rear-seat passengers was 82.5 centimeters. That was the kind of figure previously only associated with upper mid-range models, as the press information was quick to point out. The concept vehicle was just 3.35 meters long, and the first version of the production vehicle, the short-wheelbase A-Class, measured just 3.60 meters. Another benefit of the sandwich floor was the high seating position, which gave a better view and added to the sense of safety.

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On styling, the Vision A 93 engineers were faced with a creative challenge. The unusual proportions – short and tall – made coming up with an aesthetically pleasing overall design rather tricky. At the same time, although this was intended to be a small car it was not supposed to look small. But the designers proved equal to the challenge. What they did was to develop an "integral" shape with an appearance similar to that of a people carrier. The windshield was positioned well to the front, with a high roof and a level floor. The short front end was skillfully integrated in the overall design.

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