The Mercedes-Benz GLA will debut a new platform in 2017

The GLA is the most recent model of the Mercedes-Benz range to use the modular front-wheel-drive architecture. However, despite having been officially revealed just over a year ago and going on sale at the end of 2013, the German manufacturer plans to replace its platform within a few years. According to the magazine Auto Motor und Sport, which has learned from internal sources at Mercedes-Benz, the change will arrive as early as the end of 2016.

The reason the current architecture is set to be retired so soon lies in its technical limitations. This platform is not suited to introducing new driver assistance systems or alternative propulsion systems. In addition, the future base of the next GLA will allow the vehicle’s weight to be reduced by 10 % and, consequently, its consumption and emissions.

The new platform Mercedes-Benz is working on will offer the possibility of expanding the GLA range in different ways. The information revealed to Auto Motor und Sport points to a GLA coupé in the style of the Concept Coupé SUV that the Stuttgart brand presented at the recent Beijing Motor Show, which fits with its plans to offer at least two compact SUVs in its range in the future.

Another way to complete the GLA lineup will be to offer versions powered by greener energy sources. With the next architecture, Mercedes-Benz will be able to fit larger batteries for the hybrid variants and even tanks for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), one of the manufacturer’s pending projects.

The same manufacturer source confirmed to Auto Motor und Sport that there is no intention of sharing this platform with Renault, but there is a possibility it could borrow it from Nissan or Infiniti. The first model to use it will be the next generation of the B-Class.

Source | Auto Motor und Sport