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Mercedes consider launch of small roadster
By Yoann Besnard on 7 May 2007 | 
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Mercedes might launch a small roadster in 2011. The new toy would compete with the Mazda MX5 and potentially also the BMW Z2 and Lancia Fulvia. It is not the first time that such a project has been mentioned, but the technical choices made for the next A-Class are more favorable to a convertible body than in the past.
Indeed, the future small Mercedes will share components with the new C-Class: rear wheel drive and front engines. The next A-Class will also lose the patented “Sandwich“ floor. Apart from its high production cost, this particular floor does not allow Mercedes to extend the range as easily as BMW is able to with the 1-Series. Today a small roadster would require a specific platform, making it hard to break-even with a low production figure.
Mercedes revealed a concept car called SLA at the 2000 Detroit Motor Show. 148“ long, it took inspiration from the SLR roadster but with an astonishing bonnet and surprising front lights. The rear-end was more conventional with a luggage carrier. Inside the layout was minimalistic: a wheel, a gearstick and a few buttons. The SLA had a 1.9 litre engine with an modest output of 123 bhp.
Source: Autozeitung
