Mercedes-Benz Will Switch to Just Four Car Platforms

[Amat46]

Autoevolution says

From no less than nine different platforms until a few years ago, Mercedes-Benz is preparing to switch to only four car architectures for their upcoming models.

In a bid to reduce both the costs and the speed of development for new models, the three-pointed star car maker is hard at work in developing four different modular passenger car platforms which will cover their entire ever-expanding lineup.

The MFA (Modular Front Architecture) platform currently consists of the A-Class, B-Class, CLA-Class and the recently-unveiled GLA-Class, with an upcoming CLA Shooting Brake to complement the rest of the models later this year. A not-yet-confirmed SLA Roadster might be part of the second generation of the MFA platform, which is set to arrive in 2017.

The MRA (Modular Rear Architecture) platform debuted with the all-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class W205, featuring an extensive use of aluminium and a dramatic decrease in weight. It is presumably a lot more flexible than the fixed-wheelbase MFA, with Daimler's Thomas Weber being quoted as saying that over ten different vehicles could be manufactured on the MRA platform, as it allows engineers to differentiate them with different wheelbases and even body width.

The MHA (Modular High Architecture) platform will be used on future large crossovers and SUVs from Mercedes-Benz, including the upcoming MLC crossover, which should be unveiled in 2015 and built alongside the ML, GL and C-Class W205 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The next generations of the ML and GL will also be manufactured on the MHA platform, with smaller crossover/SUVs to be built either on the MRA (upcoming GLK X205 and a GLC competitor for the BMW X4) or the MFA (the GLA X156) platforms.

The MSA (Modular Sports Architecture) platform will also use a hefty amount of aluminium but also carbon fiber reinforced plastic to decrease weight even more. The future generation of the SLK might switch from using a modified C-Class platform to the MSA, along with the Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster R232, but nothing is confirmed as of yet.

Mercedes-Benz Will Switch to Just Four Car Platforms

 

[Wunderkind]

Good idea. Mercedes needs to do this in order to stay independent and profitable.

 

[jessicawidjaya]

Good

 

[Rolf]

Will help to save costs and allow them to reduce production and development times for each model. They can also improve the engineering and design of the modular construction over time which can help to save further weight and also costs

 

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

This is a very good thing. Better then the two platforms BMW will go to; Sucky and Suckier. Letting different vehicles(SUV's,Sports cars, etc) have their own platform allows MBZ to focus on making each class of individual car class as good as it can be, instead of having just two platforms, and stuffing it into other architectures.

 

[EnI]

BMW Group vehicles will run on 3+2+1 platforms. 3 of them will be used by BMW core brand (UKL, 35up, Sports car platform).

UKL modular platform (FWD) for MINI & FWD BMW models (incl. SAVs & SACs)
35up modular platform (RWD) for RWD BMW models (incl. SAVs & SACs)
Phantom platform (RWD)

Sports car modular platform (RWD) - in cooperation with Toyota
B-Zero platform (FWD) - in cooperation with Toyota & PSA (for the MINI Rocketman city car)

LifeDrive platform (non-modlar) - for BMW i cars


I guess MB uses special SUV platform to better utilize more hardcore off-road features - something BMW SAVs / SACs lack.

 

[Sunny]

Again, does anyone know what a "platform" is and what is included? Everyone talks about them a lot, even pass judgement on their degrees of suckiness but I still don't know what a platform is. Anyone, @EnI, @Wolfgang?

 

[Amat46]

My understanding is it is the underbody layout which basically covers axle layout, engine position, steering and suspension setup.

 

[EnI]

Modular platform (or architecture) is actually a modular (chassis) frame - a layout that has a small portion of fixed part, while all others are variable - and so can accommodate different sizes & types of vehicles. Engines can be different, so can be suspension type & solutions etc.

Btw, not only platforms can be modular but also eg. engines. Meaning basic layout & design is the same through the whole line-up, disregarding the size.

Here's VAG's explanation of modular platform:

 

[Wolfgang]

The MHA (Modular High Architecture) platform will be used on future large crossovers and SUVs from Mercedes-Benz, including the upcoming MLC crossover, which should be unveiled in 2015 and built alongside the ML, GL and C-Class W205 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The next generations of the ML and GL will also be manufactured on the MHA platform, with smaller crossover/SUVs to be built either on the MRA (upcoming GLK X205 and a GLC competitor for the BMW X4) or the MFA (the GLA X156) platforms.

Agreed, the GLE Coupe (C292) may be the first to use the new MHA architecture, while the GLC (X253) might use the MRA like the new C-Class (W205). MB also explained some of this modular architecture differentiation at the M-Class TECday in 2011, if I remember correctly.

http://www.germancarforum.com/threads/2012-mercedes-benz-m-class-gle.37738/page-15#post-525010

 

[Car Nut]

If it's true that the next generation of SL and SLK (SLC) will share an MSA platform, then the SLK moniker would be more suitable than SLC. It would however seem a bit daft if they changed back and forth between the two. Let's see.