Engineering:Mercedes-Benz MFA platform

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Short description: Automobile platform


Mercedes-Benz MFA
Overview
ManufacturerDaimler AG
Production2011–2019
Assembly
  • Germany: Rastatt
  • Hungary: Kecskemét
Body and chassis
ClassSubcompact executive (B), compact luxury crossover (C)
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive, front-engine, all-wheel-drive
Vehicles
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,728–2,830 mm (107.4–111.4 in)
Chronology
SuccessorMercedes-Benz MFA2 platform

The Mercedes-Benz MFA platform (Modular Front-Drive Architecture) is a car platform that produced by German automotive company Daimler AG. Intended for subcompact front-engine, front- and four-wheel drive applications, the first generation was produced from 2012 to 2019. An evolution of the platform, MFA2, has been in production since 2018. The first iteration of the platform was also shared by Japanese automaker Infiniti from 2016 to 2019.

Background

At the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz announced its intention to streamline the brand's car platforms, reducing the current nine platforms in production to just three, with the goal to create a more modular approach towards manufacturing. Thomas Weber, then-Mercedes-Benz Group board member in charge of car development, stated that economies of scale was another factor in streamlining the platforms, saying that once implemented he expected the platforms to save the company "billions of dollars".[1]

Alongside the announcement of the strategy was also the revelation by then-CEO of Daimler Dieter Zetsche that the same front-wheel-drive platform would also likely serve as the chassis upon which a compact Infiniti hatchback sat. Confirmation by then-Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn was given with the revelation of the Infiniti Etherea concept at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show.[2] The production iteration of the Etherea was shown at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show to be the Infiniti Q30.[3] Dieter, speaking with Autocar in 2014, stated that much of the development of the Q30 was done by Mercedes, despite Zetsche's insistence in 2011 that both cars would have unique identities.[4]

First generation (2011–2019)

The first generation of the MFA platform was introduced with the presentation of the second generation of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class, the W246, at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. Plans for other models such as the A-Class to sit on the MFA platform were also announced at Frankfurt.[5] The engine options ranged from a 1.5 L (91.5 cu in) turbocharged petrol inline-four to a larger, 2.1 L (128.1 cu in) turbocharged diesel engine. As part of the strategic partnership signed in 2010 with Renault–Nissan,[6] a Renault 1.5 L (91.5 cu in) turbocharged diesel engine was also offered.[7] As part of an expected increase in demand, Mercedes also invested significantly into its Rastatt and Kecskemét manufacturing plants in order to cope.[5]

Deliveries for European models began in November 2011[8] and North American deliveries began in 2013.[5] However, the U.S. only received the electrified version of the B-Class,[9] whilst Canada received internal combustion engine-powered models.[10]

Second generation (2018–present)

Mercedes-Benz MFA2
Overview
ManufacturerMercedes-Benz Group AG
Production2018–present
Body and chassis
ClassSubcompact executive, compact luxury crossover
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive, front-engine, all-wheel-drive, dual-motor, four-wheel-drive layout
Vehicles
Chronology
SuccessorMercedes-Benz MMA platform

The second generation of the MFA platform premiered in the fourth and current generation of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the W177, a concept version of which was shown at the 2017 Shanghai Auto Show. Several models were harmonised to have the same wheelbase,[11] with the A-, GLA-, and CLA-Class now sharing a wheelbase of 2,729 mm (107.4 in).[12]

The platform is expected to remain in production until at least 2025, after which Mercedes-Benz plans to replace the MFA2 platform with the Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) platform, alongside the halting of A- and B-Class production. Other cars which used the MFA2 such as the CLA, GLA, and GLB are expected to receive the MMA platform in their new generations.[13]

References

  1. ↑ Sinclair, Mike (2 March 2011). "Mercedes-Benz distils platform strategy". Carsales. https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/mercedes-benz-distils-platform-strategy-23865/. 
  2. ↑ Ireson, Nelson (14 September 2011). "Infiniti, Mercedes-Benz Announce Platform Sharing For Etherea-Based Crossover". MotorAuthority. https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1066117_infiniti-mercedes-benz-announce-platform-sharing-for-etherea-based-crossover. 
  3. ↑ Vijayenthiran, Viknesh (9 September 2013). "Infiniti Q30 Concept Revealed Ahead of Frankfurt Auto Show". MotorAuthority. https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1054937_infiniti-q30-compact-car-concept-revealed-ahead-of-frankfurt-debut. 
  4. ↑ Rendell, Julian (6 March 2012). "Infiniti Hatchback On Mercedes Platform Likely, Zetsche Says At Geneva Motor Show". Autoweek. https://www.autoweek.com/news/auto-shows/a1953101/infiniti-hatchback-mercedes-platform-likely-zetsche-says-geneva-motor-show/. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Vaughn, Mark (13 September 2011). "Mercedes B-Class Headed To America". Autoweek. https://www.autoweek.com/news/auto-shows/a1988096/mercedes-b-class-headed-america/. Retrieved 28 May 2023. 
  6. ↑ Corbett, Deanne (7 April 2010). "Three-way deal". Deutsche Welle. https://www.dw.com/en/daimler-teams-up-with-renault-and-nissan/a-5436637. 
  7. ↑ Staff (17 March 2018). "Mercedes B-Class (2011-2018) review - Engines, performance and drive". Auto Express. https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/mercedes/b-class/20566/2011-2018-mpv/engines. Retrieved 28 May 2023. 
  8. ↑ Joseph, Noah (25 August 2011). "Mercedes-Benz B-Class revealed ahead of Frankfurt... but is it coming here?". Autoblog. https://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/25/mercedes-benz-b-class-revealed-ahead-of-frankfurt-but-is-it-c/. 
  9. ↑ Meier, Fred (31 July 2017). "Mercedes-Benz B-Class to 'B' Discontinued in U.S.". Cars.com. https://www.cars.com/articles/mercedes-benz-b-class-to-b-discontinued-in-u-s-1420696452576/. 
  10. ↑ McCausland, Evan (27 March 2013). "2013 New York: 2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive Coming To U.S.". MotorTrend. https://www.motortrend.com/news/2013-new-york-2014-mercedes-benz-b-class-electric-drive-213407/. Retrieved 29 May 2023. 
  11. ↑ Gratton, Ken (20 October 2020). "What is a monocoque body?". Carsales. https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/what-is-a-monocoque-body-126876/. 
  12. ↑ Kable, Greg (9 April 2019). "Mercedes Concept Offers Choice of ICE, Electric Power". Ward's. https://www.wardsauto.com/shanghai-auto-show/mercedes-concept-offers-choice-ice-electric-power. 
  13. ↑ Misoyannis, Alex (28 June 2022). "Mercedes-Benz A-Class and B-Class to be axed in 2025, report claims". Drive. https://www.drive.com.au/news/mercedes-a-class-b-class-axed-2025-report/. 



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