Mercedes-Benz planning an A-Class Roadster?!?

Muamer Hodzic December 5, 2008

While we’ve actually heard Mercedes execs mention small cars and the U.S. multiple times in the same sentence, we didn’t think that they have this in mind – an A-Class based roadster. AutoWeek is reporting that Dieter Zetsche is considering a proposal for a two-seat roadster based on the A- and B-class. The compact front-wheel-drive roadster revives the idea behind the striking Vision SLA concept revealed at the Detroit auto show in 2000 (pictured above).

The decision for an A-Class roadster, which would be positioned below the SLK, might have something to do with VW plans on introducing a new mid-engine roadster. BMW is also planning an even smaller roadster than the current Z4, a 1-series based Z2 roadster.

Small cars are definitely the new trend, but how small should Mercedes go? Should they run behind BMW and the rest of the competition and release a model every time someone releases something. Well that’s definitely a good plan to fight the competition, but what will happen to the Mercedes brand when they become a “me-too” manufacturer. I say they bring back the smart roadster, which to me seems to be a better fit, than introduce a smart-like A-Class roadster.