Mercedes-Benz: Sedans will die due to electrification

Sedans are typically identified by their three-box design configuration in which you can see the three distinct compartments – engine, passenger, boot – from a side profile view. 

If we look at Mercedes-Benz’s EQ models that sits on the all-electric architecture (EVA), the ‘one-bow design’ approach was taken. There are no boxes to be seen, the entire profile of the car appears like the shape of a bow.

With the automotive world progressing to electrification, Mercedes-Benz’s Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener told Top Gear, “Electrification will kill the three-box sedan for several reasons.”

“Aero is one. Secondly, with a six-inch battery pack a three-box sedan simply doesn’t look good, it looks s***. You have to do something that visually digests the height.

Also read: Mercedes-Benz EQS unveiled, 770 km range and ready for L3 autonomous driving

“That’s why we came up with that bold design with the EQ models, because it looks stretched, it looks stylish. So that (electrification) will change the proportions of cars. We have to make sure they don’t all look alike, but that fear has existed for 30 years or so. We managed to make them look different, and I’m confident we can do that in the future,” he added.

Meanwhile at Volvo, their vision of the EV future starts with the Volvo Concept Recharge - the basis for the new flagship SUV model which is expected to replace the Volvo XC90. So Volvo is all but suggesting that SUVs are the future.

Also, if we look BMW's EV models, none of which are sedans. The recently-announced-in-Malaysia BMW i4 is a four-door coupe, while the BMW iX and iX3 are SUVs.

Also read: 2021 BMW iX xDrive40 launched in Malaysia – from RM 435k, 326 PS/630 Nm

And judging from the current preferences of new car buyers toward SUVs, it would seem that traditional three-box sedans will be consigned to history.

Also read: 

The electric E-Class is here - 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQE revealed

Mercedes-Benz Concept EQG previews 2024 electric G-Class and it’s off-road ready

This is the electric GLB – 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB detailed