smart
Volumes are still small yet ambitions for the renaissance and reinvention of the former city car brand – now a JV between Geely and Mercedes – are XL-sized.
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The range so far is three cars with at least another three to come, each having the word hashtag in its name. These are the #1, an SUV, the #3 a coupé-crossover, and the new #5, an MPV-SUV.
What of the missing #2 and #4? These numbers are reserved for A and B segment EVs – think of them as new interpretations of the fortwo and forfour. The Chinese and German JV partners are said to be still trying to find how to make a business case for each.
The next smart is the #6, a C segment hatchback coming in 2025. This will be followed by a facelift for the #1, as that model dates to 2022. Expect this to debut in perhaps a year’s time, with a refreshed #3 in 2026/2027. The #2 and #4 might then arrive in 2027, along with a #5 facelift in the final quarter of that year.
How about a #7? This potential D segment car or SUV may not appear until 2028 just ahead of the second generation #1 with the next #3 due in 2030.
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By GlobalDataMercedes
A-Class, EQA, B-Class & EQB
The EQA and EQB were facelifted a year ago, so their production runs should end during the final quarter of 2026. Later the same year is when production of the A-Class and B-Class will end, though there is a chance the cars might be built into 2027. Mercedes-Benz has already confirmed that there will not be direct replacements.
C-Class
An electric C-Class is said to be inked in for 2026 (platform: MB.EA), with W207 and V207, the sixth generation of the ICE sedans and estate, due two years later. Facelifts for the existing standard wheelbase sedan and wagon as well as the LWB sedan should be announced within the next three to six months.
CLA-Class – a future family of four
Previewed almost as often as any Skoda (the Czech company’s press department issues camouflaged or part-images in a seemingly never-ending cycle), it will be almost a relief to journalists when the next CLA-Class arrives officially. There have been two concepts, much in the way of specification data and confirmation of 2025 for the production car’s debut.
The future CLA family will have Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) as its basis. There will be a four-door coupé as well as an extended wheelbase body for China, a shooting brake, a crossover (X174, aimed at the Tesla Model Y) and a rugged SUV. The latter pair replace the GLA-Class and GLB-Class.
MMA supports IC engines and two cell chemistries. These are either a lithium-iron-phosphate battery or a more expensive and dense silicon oxide anode design. Mercedes-Benz will manufacture the CL-Class in Germany (Rastatt) China (Beijing) and Hungary (Kecskemét). And when it comes to the petrol engine alternatives, the M282 series 2.0-litre turbo will be manufactured in China by ‘Horse’, the unusually named – and located (HQ is in London) – Geely-Renault powertrain JV.
E-Class
New one year ago, the W214 standard length E-Class sedan and long-wheelbase V214 as well as the estate would be due for refreshes in the fourth quarter of 2027. Electric successors for all three are expected towards the end of 2030.
EQS SUV & EQS Sedan
The EQS SUV gained a new battery a year ago (118 kWh versus the 108.4 original), the same change for the V297 series EQS sedan premiering at the Beijing motor show back in April. Facelifts for both should arrive in 2025 and successors in 2030. The platform will most likely be MB.EA Large.
Mercedes-Benz has given an evolution of the to-be-updated Sedan’s platform a new name, this being EVA2M. The changes will extend to an 800 volt electrical system (replacing a 400V architecture), different chemistry for the battery and fresh motor options. Finally, today’s single-speed transmission is to be ditched in favour in one with an additional ratio.
G-Class, GLA-, GLB-, GLC-, GLE- & GLS-Class
After a facelift and new engine for the G 550 earlier in 2024, the G-Class (and the AMG G 63) will likely stay more or less unaltered until 2028, at which point there should be a second round of styling changes. The long-expected electric G-Class also arrived at the same time, the only surprise being the clunky name: ‘G580 with EQ Technology’ rather than ‘EQG’. Its incredible 3,085 kg kerb weight is 600 more than the G 500. There should be just the one replacement, an EV, in the early 2030s.
We know what the future holds for the GLA and GLB (see CLA-Class family above) but what of X254 (GLC-Class) and C254, the sportier derivative? It seems unlikely that the GLC Coupé will have a direct successor, though C254 still has some seven years of production remaining. Both bodies are due for a facelift in 2026. That is also when an electric GLC-Class will arrive, that model and its MB.EA platform having been confirmed in July. The e-GLC will be US-built at Vance/Tuscaloosa. It can be considered the successor to the EQC.
Positioned above the GLC pair are the X167 GLE and C167 GLE Coupé. The second of that pair is due to be phased out within the next 12 months. As X169 is more successful, it however will be replaced. That is due to happen in 2025/2026. Also, a special long-wheelbase body for China and India is to be manufactured by the Beijing-Benz joint venture. Right-hand drive CKD kits will be exported to the Mercedes plant in Pune.
Mercedes-Benz mentioned a smaller (presumably electric) G-Class at the Munich IAA two months ago. Still a few years away, there was just a preview image showing the silhouette of a square-sided SUV with a tailgate-mounted tyre. The name was g-Class [sic.] Production could start in late 2026 at Kecskemét, with annual production estimated at 50,000 vehicles and the platform logically being MMA.
S-Class
The W223 S-Class’ facelift is expected in 2026, something Mercedes-Benz hopes will give the poorly performing sedan the lift it needs. And while there will be new mild hybrid engines, this is likely to be the only round of styling revisions before the next generation arrives in 2030. The Maybach should follow in 2031.
As the EQS has not worked as well as had been hoped for, its replacement will be an electric version of the next S-Class sedan. There will therefore be both petrol engines and motors/batteries in this range for the first time. And while the looks should be similar, the platforms will differ, these being MRA Evo for liquid fuel variants and MB.EA Large for the EVs.
SL-Class
The Concept PureSpeed, an SL-based roadster being developed with Pininfarina, debuted at the Monaco Grand Prix in May. There will be 250 examples of this the first Mythos (a sub-brand) model. Among the changes include a bespoke windscreen and halo roll-bar (see image). As with other SL-Class cars, the Mythos PureSpeed is part of the Mercedes-AMG line-up rather than being a Mercedes-Benz.
AMG SUV
A Mercedes-AMG SUV is known to be in development, with certain official details – including the platform – made public earlier on 7 November (see preview silhouette here).
V-Class
Mercedes’ large MPV will likely be sticking around more or less unchanged until 2026/2027, its mid-life refresh having debuted at the Munich IAA just over a year ago.
