Likely driven by the ever-rising cost of gas and raw materials — and the resulting demand for fuel-sipping cars — today’s reports have Mercedes-Benz aiming to double its small car line-up. The move will mean the death of the automaker’s current sandwich-like platform that endows its A- and B-class hatchbacks with a flat floor.
The new platform, called Mercedes Front-wheel drive Architecture, or MFA, will underpin a three-door coupe, convertible, all-wheel drive ‘off-roader’ and a tall wagon, according to Autocar magazine. The automaker is also considering a four-door sedan about the same size as its original 190, although it’s not clear if the same MFA platform will underpin it.
The architecture will be less costly and allow for the simple integration of an all wheel drive system. Also necessary will be a range of engines, as they will no longer be required to fit into short, under-floor compartments. Mercedes will also give the new models a hybrid drive option, as well as start-stop and brake energy regeneration technology.
06/11, 9:53 AM
posted by:
xyunya
I’ve heard AMF, MFA – how you translate that?
06/11, 9:58 AM
posted by:
howsmydriving
I won’t miss the A and B class.
06/11, 10:06 AM
posted by:
HemiRoadRunner
“I’ve heard AMF, MFA – how you translate that?”
I do no cowboy. How yu tlansrate tat?
06/11, 11:31 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Whenever I see a B Class I try to get a good look at who’s driving it. Just morbid curiosity I suppose. Like most people here I’m sure we all look around in traffic and say ‘that looks good’ or ‘I wouldn’t buy that piece of sh*t if it was the last car on Earth’. The B Class deinitely falls into the latter category for me. And as much as I feel the racial love brewing on this thread, the acronym MFA pretty much describes 90% of the people I’ve noticed behind the wheel: Mostly From Asia. Now granted where I do a lot of my driving the race card is very much slanted in that direction, but I rarely see a B Class outside of this little realm.
06/11, 11:36 AM
posted by:
xyunya
Adios Mother ****er
06/11, 2:02 PM
posted by:
global_lightning
Mostly For A-holes
06/11, 4:50 PM
posted by:
JoshyLofty
soooo will it start being sold in USA??? might be a good idea. maybe they should bring back a car on this platform & revive the old hatchback nameplate. wasn’t it a C class of some sort?
06/11, 11:08 PM
posted by:
NoNameDenton1
Not suprising considering the market. If it comes to America, turbo inline4 gas engines and diesels please.