Mercedes-Benz is about to make a number of major changes to its product portfolio, some of which were first publicized by Automobile Magazine?s Georg Kacher. We spoke to our own sources in Stuttgart, and here’s what we can report.
MFA Platform: Only three models using Daimler’s modular front-wheel-drive platform are offered in the United States right now: the CLA-, GLA-, and B-class, the latter only in electric form. There will be more vehicles sold here spun from the next generation of the architecture, including a sleek A-class sedan, previewed earlier this month by a concept at the Shanghai auto show, and a compact off-roader tentatively called the GLB. Other markets also currently get an A-class hatch and a CLA Shooting Brake, while the long-wheelbase A-class sedan is exclusive to China. The next CLA will get a smooth, muscular shoulder line like the four-door AMG GT. AMG GT: Speaking of the AMG GT, the coupe range will be topped by a Black Series model, but the big news will be the four-door GT, which was just shown as a concept (pictured above) and will reach production around 2019. Despite its high-voltage looks and its badging, it is actually based on the E-class platform; its interior will mix E-class and GT elements. Below the range-topping twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8, there may also be a six-cylinder twin-turbo gasoline engine, a six-cylinder turbo-diesel, and a six-cylinder hybrid.
C-class, E-class, and S-class: These recently launched (...