Mercedes-Benz Future: Less is more in the future

Mercedes-Benz remains consistently electrified: After EQS and EQE, the two similarly named and quite compact-appearing (although they are not) SUVs on the large EVA-2 platform will follow later in 2022, before the smaller electric platform goes into series production starting in 2024. According to an insider, the EQXX study already anticipated "many details," but its aerodynamic optimization went so far that, despite its roughly 4.9 meters in length, it offered (too) little interior space, especially in the rear. Therefore, there were no opening doors or entry options here. And that is why our insider refers to the EQXX as a 2+2-seater.

Many details from the EQXX will go into production

Nevertheless, Mercedes-Benz plans to adopt many details, although not always in the new electric compact models: for instance, the slots in the hood provide better airflow, as the air is literally "sucked" through the hood by the resulting vacuum. Also crucial are the heavily retracted rear ends, which although reduce the load width, allow the air flow to adhere to the car as long as possible, which also helps aerodynamics.

The new compact platform, now also developed as "electric first," will still carry combustion engines later, but the prioritization is changing: whereas the A- and B-Classes and their SUV derivatives first came as combustion engines, the successors of EQA, EQB and others will start as electric vehicles right away.

However, there will likely be no more combustion-engine successors to the current C-Class and S-Class. The current E-Class of the 213 series is in the autumn of its life and will likely receive its last successor in 2023, so that Mercedes-Benz will only have EQ models in its program in the medium term, while the combustion engines are phased out without replacement.

AMG and Maybach are also going electric – starting with EQS and EQE derivatives

The EQ models will also be available as Maybach (EQS) and AMG (EQE), thus transferring the Mercedes-Benz sub-brands into the electric age.

Once again, it was confirmed on the sidelines of a driving presentation in Frankfurt that no successor is planned for the current C-Class of the 206 series. Instead, the successor could transition as an electric vehicle to the compact electric platform, rounding it out at the top.

Already in the works: V-Class and Vito successors

Also in the pipeline: A new van as the successor to the Vito and V-Class – it too could come to market by 2025. It may then compete with the VW ID.Buzz, as well as the Ford Transit Connect/VW T6.1 successor.

By the end of the 2020s, Mercedes-Benz will have completely switched its lineup to electromobility and could also streamline the extensive range: niche models like the CLS or the four-door AMG GT are expected to be phased out. The future of brand icons G (initially coming purely electric, but off-platform) and SL will also be challenging. However, it is quite possible that Mercedes-Benz will venture into special series in smaller quantities at higher prices under AMG and Maybach.

The “phonebook-thick” price lists are also to be cleaned up: In the future, several additional features will be packaged, and the selection of colors, rims, and details will be massively reduced. According to an insider anecdote, this should also be in line with CEO Ola Källenius' intentions: When his father wanted to configure a new GLE as a diesel plug-in hybrid, he got lost in the options lists. The summoned son then found that many details of the GLE are configured differently in Sweden than in Germany. Nonetheless, they ultimately managed to create a dream car for Källenius Senior. However, whether future generations will still have the time and patience to deal with an 84-page price list or spend hours clicking through the configurator – especially since each individual part alone incurs a four-figure annual “existence cost” in the system...

What does that mean?

Although by no means the world’s largest vehicle manufacturer, Mercedes-Benz indulges in one of the largest vehicle portfolios – currently, depending on how you count, there are 23 models that can be configured in countless ways. Should one or the other model be dropped, it would at most be noticed by die-hard fans and would please the controlling department. Because even at Mercedes-Benz, less is likely to be more in the future.