BMW and Mercedes cut significantly in future platforms

Posted on 14-03-2014 at 14:37 by sir_smokalot – 31 Comments”

Everything must be in the automotive nowadays on a large scale. So, if you are the same platfom for as many models can use, then that’s the preference. BMW goes in the future, to 2 platforms, Mercedes goes back to 4.

Currently builds BMW models on 5 different platforms: the model year UKL platform for the MINI and the 2 Series Active Tourer, and in addition, the following 4 RWD platforms:

– for the 1 – to 2-, 3 – and 4 Series
– for the 5 Series to the Rolls-Royce Ghost
– for the X1, X3, and X4
– for the X5 and X6

The last four platforms are all together swept to 1 great RWD platform, what is taken into use with the introduction of the new 7 Series, in 2016, says ontwikkelingschef Herbert Diess in conversation with Automotive News.

The 1 and 2 Series and the X1 of the next generation will find a place on the model year UKL platform. The disadvantage of this scaling is that the 3 Series on the same basis as a Ghost, that you are the lowest model in your class slightly over-develops. The advantage of this is that you used it to fill up with premium features. In this perspective, it deserves the platform itself.

Update: Rolls-Royce will not use the new RWD platform, but remains parts and systems are parts with BMW’s.

The i-series is seen as a separate line, and so is not included in this story. BMW (5.3 billion euro net profit in 2013) spoke to the ambition of this year more than 2 million cars to sell.

Mercedes

Mercedes still carries a lot more models than BMW, and does it so something quieter with 4 future platforms:

1. MFA — voorwielaandrijvers: actually, everything on the basis of the A – and B – Class.
2. MRA — achterwielaandrijvers. C-Class, new GLK, E-Class, and partly the S-Class.
3. MHA — large crossovers, or what we SUV’s call: the ML, the GL and the upcoming ‘MLC’.
4. MSA sports cars, i.e. the SL and the SLK