Mercedes to expand small car line-up

Mercedes-Benz has announced plans to expand its compact car line-up to eight models from the current five, by the end of 2020. The move is aimed at providing the German manufacturer with stronger representation in important volume segments.

This new range – which high-ranking Mercedes-Benz officials confirm will include a new Audi A3-rivalling four-door sedan 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 A-class,  due 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 that will allow greater visual differentiation between models, according to officials.

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

Speaking to our sister publication Autocar UK at  the presentation of the first-generation GLA facelifted on the eve of the Detroit motor show, Mercedes' new sales and marketing boss, Britta Seeger confirmed each of  the company's five compact models, the A-class, B-class, CLA, CLA Shooting Brake and GLA, will receive successor models.

The A3-rivalling four-door sedan, which will be previewed in concept form at the Shanghai motor show this April, will manufactured with a standard wheelbase for most markets and a long wheelbase exclusively for China.

The new compact SUV will be positioned above the GLA, and is likely to be carry 'GLB' badging. It will take on the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. 

Among the factories planned to produce the Mercedes-Benz’s compact car models is a new site in Aguascalientes, Mexico, that's currently under construction. Set to open in 2018, it will initially build the GLA but is also set to produce the new A-class sedan and the long wheelbase version of the GLB.