justanthony
Highway Hunter
Re: Next gen A+B class going RWD and to the states
Wow.. LOL... come on i think u guys take some things waaaay too seriously..
Wow.. LOL... come on i think u guys take some things waaaay too seriously..
Next Generation A/B-Class bound for US?
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Benzboi_inoz
Parking Lot Prodigy
Re: Next gen A+B class going RWD and to the states
Well, we're also guessing a lot here.... I see in the press release that they want to retain the high seating position that customers like..... kinda sounds like the double sandwich floor still, and I can't see Benz throwing away the very special safety advantages it offers in a small car..
Jon...
Well, we're also guessing a lot here.... I see in the press release that they want to retain the high seating position that customers like..... kinda sounds like the double sandwich floor still, and I can't see Benz throwing away the very special safety advantages it offers in a small car..
Jon...
Wolfgang
Kraftwagen König
un update. 
New details: Mercedes Frontwheel Architecture
Mercedes-Benz plans to be a tough contender in the constantly-growing small/compact premium segment. Next year, at the IAA Frankfurt, the German constructor will premiere a new generation of the B-Klasse multi-purpose vehicle. This, alongside other new and interesting versions that will spawn under the future A-Klasse and B-Klasse lineups, will use a revolutionary front-driven platform, called MFA, that stands for Mercedes Frontwheel Architecture.
This solution is so technically advanced and versatile that will most likely be the subject of a patent, meaning it will carry an IP (Intellectual Property) label, according to Jorg Prigl, head of development of the new A- & B- models. There are rumours that Mercedes-Benz will officially present the MFA on January 29, 2011, marking the 125 years milestone from the moment when Karl Benz received the German Patent No. 37435 for his three-wheeled Patent Motor Car.
Brand officials state that the new FWD platform has been specifically designed as to be used under various bodies and versions - from the ordinary MPV high-roof architecture of the B-Klasse up to hatchback, coupe, cabrio, SUV or even 4-door coupe variants. Moreover, the MFA can easily accommodate a large array of powering solutions: internal combustion (petrol, diesel), hybrid, hydrogen, full electric as well as Li-Ion battery packs, F-CELL (fuel cell) stacks and CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) tanks.
The B-Klasse will remain what it currently serves as: a fresh, practical and roomy compact MPV which, at times, can prove to be sporty as well. On the other hand, the new A-Klasse will be totally different, setting a new benchmark and, as Mercedes-Benz officials like to say, inventing the automobile once again after 125 years form its birth.
The new small and compact-sized classes from Mercedes-Benz will be assembled at the Kecskemét facility in Hungary.
Source: AUTOCAR
Mercedes-Benz-Blog -- Unmistakable. Unique. Classy. Mercedes-Benz.: New details: Mercedes Frontwheel Architecture
New details: Mercedes Frontwheel Architecture
Mercedes-Benz plans to be a tough contender in the constantly-growing small/compact premium segment. Next year, at the IAA Frankfurt, the German constructor will premiere a new generation of the B-Klasse multi-purpose vehicle. This, alongside other new and interesting versions that will spawn under the future A-Klasse and B-Klasse lineups, will use a revolutionary front-driven platform, called MFA, that stands for Mercedes Frontwheel Architecture.
This solution is so technically advanced and versatile that will most likely be the subject of a patent, meaning it will carry an IP (Intellectual Property) label, according to Jorg Prigl, head of development of the new A- & B- models. There are rumours that Mercedes-Benz will officially present the MFA on January 29, 2011, marking the 125 years milestone from the moment when Karl Benz received the German Patent No. 37435 for his three-wheeled Patent Motor Car.
Brand officials state that the new FWD platform has been specifically designed as to be used under various bodies and versions - from the ordinary MPV high-roof architecture of the B-Klasse up to hatchback, coupe, cabrio, SUV or even 4-door coupe variants. Moreover, the MFA can easily accommodate a large array of powering solutions: internal combustion (petrol, diesel), hybrid, hydrogen, full electric as well as Li-Ion battery packs, F-CELL (fuel cell) stacks and CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) tanks.
The B-Klasse will remain what it currently serves as: a fresh, practical and roomy compact MPV which, at times, can prove to be sporty as well. On the other hand, the new A-Klasse will be totally different, setting a new benchmark and, as Mercedes-Benz officials like to say, inventing the automobile once again after 125 years form its birth.
The new small and compact-sized classes from Mercedes-Benz will be assembled at the Kecskemét facility in Hungary.
Source: AUTOCAR
Mercedes-Benz-Blog -- Unmistakable. Unique. Classy. Mercedes-Benz.: New details: Mercedes Frontwheel Architecture
Merc1
Premium
Can't wait to see these vehicles. Mercedes is talking a lot of noise here, hope they can back it up. They have to look/drive/feel like Mercedes-Benzes, otherwise they won't make it here in the U.S. No cheap ass interiors and sorry dynamics and I want a retro sedan that looks like a modern 190E please. I still detest FWD, but I guess BMW is doing it to so oh well. Cheaper to build for both of them.
M
M
Wolfgang
Kraftwagen König
a bit similar to the A-class previously posted?
SKYSONY said:
Wolfgang
Kraftwagen König
"baby CLS" coming in 2013? 
Mercedes plans to launch compact coupe and SUV in U.S.
STUTTGART -- Mercedes-Benz will launch coupe and SUV versions of its new compact car family in the United States in the next three years and is considering a third variant - a convertible or a shooting brake - to help win younger customers to the brand.
Joachim Schmidt, Mercedes' global sales and marketing boss, said in an interview with Automotive News Europe that the automaker is developing at least four models based on its new MFA, or Mercedes Front-wheel-drive Architecture.
“We will introduce the next generation of our MFA family to the U.S.,” Schmidt said. Two variants, maybe even a third, are planned for the U.S., he said.
The coupe will be launched in the U.S. in summer 2013, according to a company source.
Mercedes insiders call it a "baby CLS" because it will have similar styling to the brand's larger CLS coupe-styled four-door model. An SUV aimed as a rival to the BMW X1 will follow in summer 2014. Both variants will go on sale in Europe three to five months ahead of their U.S. launch.
Mercedes will introduce compact cars in the U.S. because consumer preferences are changing toward smaller vehicles. The automaker also wants to stay apace with rivals BMW and Audi. The new compact car family will replace Mercedes' current A- and B-class models, which are not sold in the U.S. In Europe, Mercedes will launch the next-generation B class hatchback at the end of this year, followed by the A class hatchback in late summer 2012.
Mercedes has no plans to sell first those two MFA variants in the U.S. but could do so if it sees a demand. The source said: "The U.S. is not the typical compact hatchback market but if the demand arises, we could react very quickly and introduce these two variants in the U.S. far quicker than in the past."
Entry-level Infiniti possible
According to Schmidt, Mercedes' new alliance partner, Renault-Nissan, is interested in using the MFA architecture for a new entry-level model for Nissan's Infiniti brand that would also be sold in the U.S., Infiniti's biggest market. Schmidt said Daimler is in talks with Nissan but there are “no decisions so far” on the architecture's application or where the car would be built.
You can reach Harald Hamprecht at hhamprecht@crain.com.
Read more: http://autonewseurope.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110129/ANE/110129826/1280#ixzz1CPomsT1m
Mercedes plans to launch compact coupe and SUV in U.S.
STUTTGART -- Mercedes-Benz will launch coupe and SUV versions of its new compact car family in the United States in the next three years and is considering a third variant - a convertible or a shooting brake - to help win younger customers to the brand.
Joachim Schmidt, Mercedes' global sales and marketing boss, said in an interview with Automotive News Europe that the automaker is developing at least four models based on its new MFA, or Mercedes Front-wheel-drive Architecture.
“We will introduce the next generation of our MFA family to the U.S.,” Schmidt said. Two variants, maybe even a third, are planned for the U.S., he said.
The coupe will be launched in the U.S. in summer 2013, according to a company source.
Mercedes insiders call it a "baby CLS" because it will have similar styling to the brand's larger CLS coupe-styled four-door model. An SUV aimed as a rival to the BMW X1 will follow in summer 2014. Both variants will go on sale in Europe three to five months ahead of their U.S. launch.
Mercedes will introduce compact cars in the U.S. because consumer preferences are changing toward smaller vehicles. The automaker also wants to stay apace with rivals BMW and Audi. The new compact car family will replace Mercedes' current A- and B-class models, which are not sold in the U.S. In Europe, Mercedes will launch the next-generation B class hatchback at the end of this year, followed by the A class hatchback in late summer 2012.
Mercedes has no plans to sell first those two MFA variants in the U.S. but could do so if it sees a demand. The source said: "The U.S. is not the typical compact hatchback market but if the demand arises, we could react very quickly and introduce these two variants in the U.S. far quicker than in the past."
Entry-level Infiniti possible
According to Schmidt, Mercedes' new alliance partner, Renault-Nissan, is interested in using the MFA architecture for a new entry-level model for Nissan's Infiniti brand that would also be sold in the U.S., Infiniti's biggest market. Schmidt said Daimler is in talks with Nissan but there are “no decisions so far” on the architecture's application or where the car would be built.
You can reach Harald Hamprecht at hhamprecht@crain.com.
Read more: http://autonewseurope.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110129/ANE/110129826/1280#ixzz1CPomsT1m
Deutsch
Tire Trailblazer
keep in mind Audi is launching a smaller SUV than the Q5, the Q3. yet another market niche being carved out for the sake of selling even more cars.
Yes, but what you are missing is that the X5 grew, and the new X3 is growing to be not much different than the original X5. So, they now have room for a smaller SUV. The Q7 dwarfs an ML, and the Q5 is larger than the GLK. I can tell you right now, there is nothing MB can sell under the GLK, unless it is a 2-seater SUV. The GLK is tiny.
Wolfgang
Kraftwagen König
An update.
Mercedes is preparing to roll out fwd compacts
Are Americans ready to pay hefty prices for small, front-wheel-drive cars with features usually reserved for large German luxury cars? Mercedes-Benz is about to find out.
Starting in the fall of next year, Mercedes will bring three, possibly four new compacts based on a new fwd platform to the United States. They are the next generation of the A- and B-Class cars that U.S. executives previously rejected because of their hatchback design and uninspired styling.
The rollout will start in the fall of 2013 with the sleek CLA sedan that looks like a baby CLS -- the four-door with coupe styling that the competition has copied. It will be followed by the five-door B-Class and a small crossover that may be called the GLA. A five-door wagon also is likely to be sold in the United States.
The cars are just a few inches shorter than the C-Class. They'll have 2.0 liter direct injection four-cylinder gasoline engines. Turbodiesel engines will be offered in Europe, but it's not known whether they will be available in the United States.
CLA: The sleek four-door will be the first fwd Mercedes to go on sale in the United States. It will debut in the fall of 2013.
B-Class E-Cell: The electric version of the new-generation five-door will go on sale in 2014.
GLA: The compact crossover is likely to debut in 2014 or 2015. It will be similar in size to the BMW X1.
CLC: A five-door station wagon with styling similar to the CLA sedan has been approved for production in 2015, according to some reports. It may be called the CLC Shooting Brake.
F-Cell: An electric fuel cell version of the current five-door B-Class is being leased to drivers in Southern California on a trial basis for three years. A production version will debut in 2014, but only an unspecified "limited number" will be sold in California and possibly New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/20120806/OEM04/308069983#ixzz22ndwZXKx
Mercedes is preparing to roll out fwd compacts
Are Americans ready to pay hefty prices for small, front-wheel-drive cars with features usually reserved for large German luxury cars? Mercedes-Benz is about to find out.
Starting in the fall of next year, Mercedes will bring three, possibly four new compacts based on a new fwd platform to the United States. They are the next generation of the A- and B-Class cars that U.S. executives previously rejected because of their hatchback design and uninspired styling.
The rollout will start in the fall of 2013 with the sleek CLA sedan that looks like a baby CLS -- the four-door with coupe styling that the competition has copied. It will be followed by the five-door B-Class and a small crossover that may be called the GLA. A five-door wagon also is likely to be sold in the United States.
The cars are just a few inches shorter than the C-Class. They'll have 2.0 liter direct injection four-cylinder gasoline engines. Turbodiesel engines will be offered in Europe, but it's not known whether they will be available in the United States.
CLA: The sleek four-door will be the first fwd Mercedes to go on sale in the United States. It will debut in the fall of 2013.
B-Class E-Cell: The electric version of the new-generation five-door will go on sale in 2014.
GLA: The compact crossover is likely to debut in 2014 or 2015. It will be similar in size to the BMW X1.
CLC: A five-door station wagon with styling similar to the CLA sedan has been approved for production in 2015, according to some reports. It may be called the CLC Shooting Brake.
F-Cell: An electric fuel cell version of the current five-door B-Class is being leased to drivers in Southern California on a trial basis for three years. A production version will debut in 2014, but only an unspecified "limited number" will be sold in California and possibly New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/20120806/OEM04/308069983#ixzz22ndwZXKx
Please, no. lol. The last thing M-B needs is to move into that segment. Keep the brand at least a little sacred. The GLK is bad enough and if they can at least make it look good, I think that's more than M-B needs to fill it's "cute compact bubbly SUV" quota.
So, no A-Classin the U.S? I thought it was confirmed here?
Wolfgang
Kraftwagen König
The same reporter said the A-Class is coming. Did she forget? She's usually very reliable.
Or will the US get a sleeker 3 dr, which MB doesn't want to talk about yet?
Or will the US get a sleeker 3 dr, which MB doesn't want to talk about yet?
http://www.germancarforum.com/commu...vealed-for-shanghai.37089/page-10#post-513935
JAKE LINGEMAN
Mercedes-Benz slots 4 compacts for U.S.
By DIANA T. KURYLKO, AUTOMOTIVE NEWS on 4/25/2011
Mercedes-Benz will launch four compact vehicles in the United States in the next three years with starting prices of $30,000 or below. The vehicles will include a production version of the A-class coupe concept shown last week at the New York auto show. Three variants of Mercedes' new-generation compact family also are headed for the United States.
Insiders say the three other cars are:
1. A small van that will likely be offered as an electric vehicle.
2. A small sedan to be called the CLC.
3. A small crossover to be called the GLC.
Mercedes-Benz initially decided not to bring the A class here. The decision was reversed several months ago after marketing boss Steve Cannon and a product committee that included dealers saw early versions of the new compact line.
The deciding factor was how different the new-generation A class is from the current A class sold in Europe, said Ernst Lieb, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA.
"The A class has a very European design, and they are doing well with it," he said. "But for North America, it just didn't appeal to the customer. This car does."
The new small cars are expected to drive growth in the United States. Currently, the lowest-priced Mercedes is the C class, which starts at $34,865, including freight.
"There is huge potential for us there," Lieb said.
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Established in 1926, Mercedes-Benz Group produces consumer luxury
vehicles and light commercial vehicles badged as Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG,
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Its origin lies in Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft's 1901 Mercedes
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