- Within the coming years, Mercedes-Benz will drastically reshape its portfolio.
- Numerous two-door coupes, wagons, and SUV coupes are destined for discontinuation.
- Going ahead, anticipate a larger concentrate on top-end variants from AMG and Maybach, in addition to super-exclusive Mythos fashions.
In Might 2022, Mercedes-Benz outlined its newest long-term strategic plan, which includes drastically resizing and reshaping its large product portfolio to maneuver even additional upmarket and change into much more worthwhile. On the time, the automaker didn’t give a full clarification of the way it plans to take action, however now we have now a a lot clearer concept of what is destined for the guillotine and what new fashions we are able to anticipate.
Solely 14 of 33 Physique Kinds Will Survive
We talked to a number of high managers in Untertürkheim and Sindelfingen to search out out precisely why they consider that wagons, coupes, and convertibles have an unsure future—or no future in any respect. Apparently, it has to do with the model’s new understanding of luxurious. Mercedes intends to tailor its future merchandise to organize them for prolonged customized mobility providers, ease the stress on the motive force, and redefine creature consolation as a key model worth. The brand new mannequin combine could enhance income, but it surely accommodates fewer emotional merchandise. Based mostly on what we have seen, of the 33 physique kinds Mercedes presently presents between Europe and the U.S., solely 14 will survive.
“On the finish of the day, we merely do not want property vehicles [wagons] or underperforming two-door choices to spice up volumes,” a senior member of Mercedes-Benz’s technique crew advised Automotive and Driver. “Probably the most important parts of sustainable up to date luxurious vehicles are area and time . . . That is our primary precedence—not one other fancy physique type, a mannequin that solely works in Europe, or one final stab at a dying section.”
The C-class and E-class coupes and convertibles will stop to exist someday between 2023 and 2024, to get replaced by a pair of two-door CLE-class fashions. Present coupe-like SUVs and sedans aren’t lengthy for this world, both. The CLS-class will depart in 2024, and the sharper AMG GT 4 Door will observe alongside in 2024 or 2025. New generations of GLE and GLC Coupes will debut within the coming years, however after that, their lineages can even finish.
Goodbye to the Taking pictures Brake
Issues are extra dire for followers of wagons and taking pictures brakes in Europe. The Europe-market C-class wagon can be gone after 2028. Later this 12 months, we’ll see the next-generation E-class, which is able to spawn the automaker’s final wagon, bidding farewell on the finish of its manufacturing run in 2030. The subsequent-gen CLA-class, which is able to experience on the MMA electrical platform and is because of debut in 2025, would be the model’s final taking pictures brake (in Europe).
There are nonetheless some fascinating autos on the horizon, although. Later this 12 months, Mercedes-AMG will launch the brand new GT coupe; will probably be based mostly on the present SL roadster, which can even develop its lineup with a brand new Maybach providing. In 2026, we’ll see a brand new four-door coupe, in addition to a next-generation SL with extra cargo and rear-seat area, and a brand new AMG GT coupe, all of which can be electrical. And talking of EVs, the MMA platform can even function the spine for a chunky GLG-class SUV in 2026.
As this new group steps into the highlight, we are able to anticipate to see extra capacious batteries (as much as 150.0 kWh), energy outputs approaching quadruple digits, and most ranges pushing towards the 500-mile mark on the European WLTP cycle. Most charging speeds ought to develop to 270 kilowatts, too, due to a larger reliance on 800-volt electrical methods.
AMG Getting Extra Consideration
Since Mercedes-Benz’s extra unique corners can be prioritized going ahead, we are able to anticipate to see a larger concentrate on AMG fashions, in addition to Maybach—actually, there may be even speak of an ultra-ritzy V-class van. The wildest creations, although, will come from the OEM’s new Mythos collection of hyper-expensive collectibles. There are some very intriguing propositions right here, together with a Gullwing reincarnation, a four-door G-class pickup truck, and a racy speedster based mostly on the SL.