2013 Audi A3

Speculation rife on Mercedes Benz A-Class roadster

 
9 6,638 views Feb 23, 2009

mb a cabrio

mercedes benz sla concept 002

mercedes benz sla concept 002

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An updated A-Class was revealed late last year, and though it received numerous revisions the compact model is due for a complete redesign sometime in 2011. The next-generation A-Class range is expected to feature a number of body styles, but the latest word indicates a roadster could be joining the group as well.

Previous speculation on the new A-Class family had only included the standard hatch, mini-SUV, sports-hatch and four-door coupe models. Now a possible roadster, perhaps styled after the SLA Concept, is also thought to be in the works. The car hasn't yet been confirmed, and even if it does make it to production, it might not make it to North America. Weak sales and small margins could prohibit it from finding a successful niche given its likely premium placement and pricing.

According to Autobild, where this sketch was sourced, a compact roadster positioned below the SLK is under consideration for a 2012 debut. Mercedes’ reasoning for launching such a model is to attract younger buyers and meet toughening fuel-efficiency mandates. There is speculation that BMW is planning to enter the segment with its own Z2 roadster so there is a strong chance that Mercedes will too. If that wasn’t enough, both Audi and Volkswagen are tipped to be releasing their own respective compact roadster models.

A roadster version of the current-generation A-Class wasn't possible due to the car's 'sandwich' construction, which stacks the drivetrain and other elements underneath the cabin. This made it too high for a topless variant to be practical. The new A-Class will do away with this limitation, opening the possibility back up for an SLA-like roadster.

The next-generation A-Class will use a new front-drive platform that will lend itself to many new bodystyle options. Whichever models are selected for the final build, however, the next-gen A-Class will be very important for Mercedes. It has a massive investment in retooling and development of the new car, and with global emissions and fuel economy standards rapidly cinching down on carmakers, the small platform will be one of the brand's only convenient avenues to true efficiency.
Mercedes-Benz compact family renderings
Mercedes-Benz SLA A-Class roadster concept

HI-RES GALLERY: mb a cabrio

HI-RES GALLERY: mercedes benz sla concept 006




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Comments (9)

  1. ma_azlan avatar azlan Posted: 12/5/2008 3:48pm PST

    why do that? unless they make it real funky for chicks it will jst be the gayest car eva
     
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  2. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 12/5/2008 6:07pm PST

    This was a concept, doubt much of this would make it to production
     
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  3. ma_Chris avatar Chris Posted: 12/8/2008 10:49am PST

    azlan.. and that is the reason why people are forced to buy american muscle cars.. cause of that additude. what happened to small, light, and fast? make the styling a little on the masculine side (see: saturn sky) and i'm sure it will sell well..... with a little more power than the typical A class....


    looks like GM is killing their small roadsters.. and the s2000 is long dead.. so really the competition would be the MX5...... not bad.
     
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  4. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 1/19/2009 5:21pm PST

    Not azlan's fault that American muscle cars have such great design, look and the new Camaro, good compliment to the Corvette.
     
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  5. ma_Damien Thomas avatar Damien Thomas Posted: 1/19/2009 7:02pm PST

    Don't worry Chris, times are starting to change. The current trio of Detroit muscle cars, as cool as they are, will probably end with this generation.
     
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  6. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 1/19/2009 7:52pm PST

    I doubt it Damien, they will survive in one form or another
     
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  7. ma_Chris avatar Chris Posted: 1/19/2009 8:12pm PST

    im with you noname... the mustang will be alive for a couple generations for sure. even if it has to go to a lower volume. its already outlasted the camaro once..

    and personally.. i think you may see muscle car enthousiasts benefiting the most from electric cars. think about it. the electric motors are torquey as hell.. and the batteries are heavy. you arent talking about a sporty car. you're talking muscle. sure those guys are going to want a roaring V8 but as soon as they get pinned to their backrest during the subtle whine of an electric mustang throwing you to 60 in 4 seconds.. they will be sold.

    and so long as ferraris are selling, and corvette is getting 95% of the performance for 30% of the cost.. you're going to be selling corvettes too.
     
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  8. ma_Joelthecar avatar Joelthecar Posted: 2/23/2009 7:18am PST

    Am I imagining things, or is this just a re-work of 2 month old news. Saw this at the Cars UK site last year - almost the exact same thing without the sketch! http://www.carsuk.net/mercedes-sla-roadster-looks-likely/
     
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  9. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 2/23/2009 12:33pm PST

    im with you noname... the mustang will be alive for a couple generations for sure. even if it has to go to a lower volume. its already outlasted the camaro once..

    and personally.. i think you may see muscle car enthousiasts benefiting the most from electric cars. think about it. the electric motors are torquey as hell.. and the batteries are heavy. you arent talking about a sporty car. you're talking muscle. sure those guys are going to want a roaring V8 but as soon as they get pinned to their backrest during the subtle whine of an electric mustang throwing you to 60 in 4 seconds.. they will be sold.

    and so long as ferraris are selling, and corvette is getting 95% of the performance for 30% of the cost.. you're going to be selling corvettes too.

    Personally I like diesels, all the low end torque like the muscle cars used to have, I know diesel is a bit high, but the milage can balance out, too bad the American car companies are wussing out on diesel engines.
     
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