Mercedes-Benz will be expanding its compact car line-up from five to eight cars, with three of those to arrive by 2020, according to Autocar. Two out of the three will be the A-Class sedan and the GLB, while the marque’s five existing compact models, the A-Class, B-Class, CLA, CLA Shooting Brake and GLA, will each receive successor models.
The new MFA2 platform is said to be stiffer and lighter thanks to more widespread use of high-strength steel, and will continue to be compatible with both front- and all-wheel-drive layouts. The next-generation A-Class will employ a nine-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission; both this and a manual tranmission will find their way into the upcoming A-Class, as will three- and four-cylinder engines.
The MFA2 platform allows greater flexibility, with variations in wheelbase and track widths catered for. With the GLA compact SUV set to have a direct successor, the aforementioned GLB will be another compact SUV, albeit a more rugged one positioned above the GLA. The new compact SUV is planned to be manufactured in two guises: a standard wheelbase version which seats five, and a long-wheelbase seven-seater.
A new manufacturing plant for Mercedes’ new compact models is currently under construction in Aguascalientes, Mexico, where initially the upcoming GLA will be produced, possibly followed by the four-door A-Class sedan. A long-wheelbase version of this car for the Chinese market is on the cards, as is a long-wheelbase GLB.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
We can only dream of owning this Merc. By time it comes here, it will be RM300k.
Then MBM will give “special EEV” incentive and sell it for RM250k. This will excite Malaysians and all will jump and buy it thinking it is a great discount.
But MBM in the first place already planned to sell it to us suckers at RM250k.
Syukurlah ada EEV tricks car companies can play with to trick buyers.
Tax the rich, so tak kesah
Aint cla the a class sedan?
cla is a 4-door coupe
I thought CLA itself already a sedan version of A class….
Despite being a compact car, the A-Class, B-Class, CLA & GLA is still NOT affordable to us.
Why VW can make the compact Polo more reasonable & affordable to M’sian & Merc cannot ??!
Aah I see, john just told me bcos Merc is a Premium car manufacturer. Thanks john.