BMW, Mercedes Downsize Number Of Architectures For Future Vehicles

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

In order to accelerate development of new models while also cutting costs, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are downsizing the number of architectures to be used in future vehicles in their respective lineups.

Automotive News Europe reports Mercedes will be down from nine platforms five years ago to four platforms by 2016, with the first — the MFA — already in showrooms as the CLA; the MFA-underpinned B-Class and GLA will arrive in United States showrooms later this summer. The move would allow Mercedes to move safety systems from their flagship S-Class to lower classes more quickly than in previous years.

Meanwhile, BMW will go from five to two platforms — one for RWD, one for FWD –between its namesake brand and Mini. The latter debuted with the redesigned Mini not too long ago, and will also underpin the 2-Series Active Tourer officially unveiled in Geneva last week.

As for the RWD platform, BMW R&D board member Herbert Deiss says it will arrive in 2016 under the next-generation 7 Series. Both consolidations were brought to life to allow more affordable expansion of each brand’s lineup.

BMW’s i Series will not take part in the consolidation, nor will Rolls-Royce.

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • Ryoku75 Ryoku75 on Mar 17, 2014

    "Meanwhile, BMW will go from five to two platforms — one for RWD, one for FWD –between its namesake brand and Mini." And much like Mini they will build as many variants as humanly possible in order to give the illusion of variety. Everytime I hear about modern automakers cheapening out down to just a few platforms I'm reminded of mid-late 1980's Chrysler, you could get an L-Car (Omni\Izon\Charger\Turismo), a truck\SUV on its own frame, or a K-Car variant (EVERYTHING THEY MADE). Little did Chrysler know that German carmakers and the rest of the automotive world would be copying their idea.

  • Hummer Hummer on Mar 17, 2014

    I know platform sharing is the way of the future, increasing costs from every corner for automakers make platform sharing simply make sense. And while I realize many people go "hey pretty, imma buy that one", how do people in the know honestly put down twice the amount of money for the same platform at the other end of the lineup? It's been a while since I posed this question, but what is "luxury" anymore? Certainly not A/C, power locks/windows, heated seats, leather, captain chairs, or even console shifters any more. The only answer I can think of is better materials and cool "features", and a big dose of brand prestige.

    • P___mill P___mill on Mar 17, 2014

      Evidence that people will spend the extra money for essentially the same car has been present in the Boxster/911 since the late 90s. For a brief time the 911 owners were upset that their much more expensive car actually had the same sheetmetal in front of the A-pillar as the entry level car. Design updates have since comfortably differentiated the two and Porsche continues to be ridiculously profitable.

  • U mad scientist U mad scientist on Mar 17, 2014

    It's unclear why people are freaked out that the 3 & 5 might share a platform when an objective comparison of sizes shows this should be feasible: http://autos.msn.com/research/compare/exterior.aspx?c=0&i=0&tb=0&ph1=t0&ph2=t0&dt=0&v=t119129&v=t119235&v=t117239 The wheelbase is 3-4in apart, which is trivial even in existing platforms (eg 350z/g35 diff is 8in). The tracks are 2-3in, which is hardly outside the realm of imagination given WRX/Impreza are >1in diff on obviously shared designed (nevermind 5/7 almost 1in), esp considering the 3 continues to grow in size to allow room for the 1/2series: http://autos.msn.com/research/compare/exterior.aspx?c=0&i=0&tb=0&ph1=t0&ph2=t0&dt=0&v=t111576&v=t119455 Even the weight diff of only ~400lb is mostly attributable to general size rather than some platform efficiency. It's most likely that future 1/2series will be using the new fwd/awd platform, which fits with its lower price point. If increasing audi sales over any insight, it's that people mostly don't care anyway. IOW, typical mountains out of molehills.

  • Krayzie Krayzie on Mar 19, 2014

    I wonder if this means that the cabin rust in new BMW F20 and F30 will become a standard feature for their entire line-up.

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