Mercedes-Benz to extend compact car line-up to eight models

Mercedes-Benz has announced plans to extend it compact car line-up from five to eight models by the end of 2020, in a move aimed at providing the German manufacturer with greater representation in important volume segments.

This new range, which high ranking Mercedes-Benz sources confirm will include a new Audi A3 saloon-rivalling four-door saloon and a BMW X1-challenging SUV with both five and seven-seat layouts, is to be based on a new modular platform set to be first used on the upcoming fourth-generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class (pictured testing above), which is due in early 2018.

A development of the structure already used by Mercedes-Benz’s current compact models, the MFA2 (Modular Front Architecture) platform receives a number of significant upgrades, including the ability to support differing wheelbase lengths and track widths – developments senior Mercedes-Benz officials say will allow greater visual differentiation between each individual model.

MFA2 is said to employ more high-strength steel for greater stiffness and lower weight, will continue to provide front and four-wheel drive compatibility, and can accommodate both three and four-cylinder engines as well as manual and dual clutch gearboxes, with a new nine-speed dual clutch unit set to be used in the 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class.    

Speaking at  the presentation of the facelifted first-generation GLA (below) on the eve of the Detroit motor show, Mercedes-Benz’s new sales and marketing boss, Britta Seeger (pictured with CEO Dieter Zetsche below) confirmed to Autocar each of Mercedes-Benz’s existing five compact models, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, B-Class, Mercedes-Benz CLA, CLA Shooting Brake and Mercedes-Benz GLA, will receive successor models.

Additional models to the line-up will include a four-door saloon, which is planned to be produced with both a standard wheelbase for markets such as the UK and a long wheelbase exclusively for China.