Mercedes consider launch of small roadster

[Giannis]

I am confused by the article. Are those two photos just a photoshop or are they official?

 

[Wolfgang]

^^^
looks like the workings of one of AutoExpress’ in-house artists, Milos Dvorak.

Our pictures show how the models could look when they reach production.

Read more: Smart Roadster revealed | News | Auto Express

 

[fortuner]

They look good much better then the current smarts

 

[Levi68]

Why only roadster? Mazda MX-5 Roadster, BMW Z2 Roadster, Mercedes SLA Roadster, Porsche 550 Spyder. Why no small sport Coupés?

 

[Huckfeldt]

I am confused by the article. Are those two photos just a photoshop or are they official?

Photoshops from the patent drawings of Smart Mk3 which were leaked about a year ago, just look it up.

 

[bum-man]

Why only roadster? Mazda MX-5 Roadster, BMW Z2 Roadster, Mercedes SLA Roadster, Porsche 550 Spyder. Why no small sport Coupés?

Unfortunately sport coupes don't sell. If people are going to spend money on something that limits them to two seats and crap practicality they want to at least be able to put the top down.

 

[Wolfgang]

Photoshops from the patent drawings of Smart Mk3 which were leaked about a year ago, just look it up.

Here we go

Mercedes-Benz Patents Designs of Smart Roadster Model - Carscoop

Smart Roadster Patents - Autoblog

http://www.germancarforum.com/smart/36618-new-smart-forspeed-electriv-drive.html

 

[Wolfgang]

2000 Mercedes-Benz Vision SLA concept

Mercedes-Benz SLA Roadster Back On The Table?

We know Mercedes-Benz is likely to launch four new models based around its latest generation small car platform, otherwise known as MFA (Mercedes Frontwheel Architecture).

The first of these new models has already been revealed in the form of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class, and will be followed shortly by the 2013 A-Class.

But beyond that we should also see the CLC four-door coupe, as well as the long-rumored GLC compact crossover.

However, since we first started reporting about Mercedes’ new small car family, there has been talk of a new ‘SLA’ roadster being launched to target the likes of the BMW 1-Series Convertible and Audi TT Roadster.

Australia’s GoAuto reports that the SLA will be launched in 2013 and will remain faithful to the original Vision SLA concept car shown more than a decade ago.

That means it will be a compact two-seat roadster with a soft-top roof and front-wheel drive layout.

The Vision SLA also featured extensive use of aluminum and plastic in its construction, as well as premium accessories such as carbon fiber seats and xenon headlights, any of which could feature in a production version.

However, unlike the concept, which featured a supercharged 1.9-liter four-cylinder engine, the production SLA will likely go with Mercedes’ latest 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with direct injection and turbocharging technologies. A turbodiesel model is also possible.

As mentioned, drive will go to the front wheels, but via a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. A six-speed manual, however, should remain as an option in certain markets.

Stay tuned for an update.

Motorauthority: Mercedes-Benz SLA Roadster Back On The Table?

 

[Wolfgang]

The update as promised...

Mercedes-Benz CLA Coupe

Mercedes May Expand Compact Range With Arrival of Next Generation

Mercedes-Benz’s compact car range currently consists of three models, the A-Class hatchback sold overseas, the B-Class MPV, which launches here as an electric car next spring, and the stylish CLA sedan that’s just gone on sale. Next year, a GLA crossover will be launched along with a fifth model, a CLA Shooting Brake, though the latter won’t make it to the U.S.

Further down the track, Mercedes-Benz is considering even more compact cars, the automaker’s CEO has just revealed. "We are considering the final portfolio of the next generation of our compact cars," Mercedes-Benz CEO Dieter Zetsche said to Automotive News (subscription required). "We have to define it and we may expand the portfolio."

Zetsche didn’t state what additional variants might be added but did reveal that the next generation of Mercedes compact cars was due from 2018 onwards.

Mercedes has long been rumored to be planning a convertible sports car based on its front-wheel-drive platform that underpins its compact car range. In fact, the automaker first previewed such a car as early as 2000 with its Vision SLA concept.

Another possibility, and one that looks more likely, is a convertible version of the CLA. Such a car would target the likes of the upcoming BMW 2-Series Convertible and Audi A3 Cabriolet.

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/...nge-with-arrival-of-next-generation#100421536

 

[tennmb]

If MB does something good, we should commend them. When they something stupid, they should be bitch slapped.
What about Smart? BMW has used Mini to market 'entry level.' Smart is essentially dying on the vine while Mercedes pumps out new model after new model. It seems like they could capitalize on the Smart branding. You can only market one car (Fortwo) for so long. I watched this happen with Saturn. They had a great culture (not just a car) and the parent company (GM) refused to grow the brand. When they finally realized this mistake it was too late and Saturn became nothing more than rebadged GM products.
I don't see how MB needs a roadster smaller than an SLK, whereas it would fit perfectly into the SMART line.

 

[Wolfgang]

Agreed. Looks like smart wants to roll out the new two-seaters and new four-seaters before talking about other models. And this may still take quite a while in the USA, since the new models are not expected until August 2015.

Yet despite the concepts displaying a variety of body styles (from coupes to pickups) , Winkler says a two-seater and four-seater are the only new Smarts on the way. “I speak to customers. They are not asking for new models, like a roadster. They want the car like it is.”

http://www.straight-six.com/interview-head-of-smart-annette-winkler/

But Webster says volume will hover at about 10,000 cars annually until a redesigned ForTwo arrives in August 2015. He said the recent launch of the ForTwo Electric plug-in battery electric will not have much impact this year because the vehicle won't be available in all 50 states until fall. EV supplies will improve in 2014, but overall Smart sales will be affected by the run-out of the current ForTwo.

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/20130624/OEM02/306249971#ixzz2ZnDq8JYd

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Agreed! Why the hell is MB letting a perfectly good brand with a perfectly recognizable and youthful image wither and die? There is no need for a Mercedes smaller then the A, and Smart should be used to take on Mini and Audi's micro offerings. Smart should be offering an entire range of vehicles in the same vein as Mini.

 

[Merc1]

If MB does something good, we should commend them. When they something stupid, they should be bitch slapped.
What about Smart? BMW has used Mini to market 'entry level.' Smart is essentially dying on the vine while Mercedes pumps out new model after new model. It seems like they could capitalize on the Smart branding. You can only market one car (Fortwo) for so long. I watched this happen with Saturn. They had a great culture (not just a car) and the parent company (GM) refused to grow the brand. When they finally realized this mistake it was too late and Saturn became nothing more than rebadged GM products.
I don't see how MB needs a roadster smaller than an SLK, whereas it would fit perfectly into the SMART line.

Saturns were junk from day one though. Terribly built and just down right garbage cars, but you're right on the money about MB and Smart. There is no reason why Smart couldn't be a hit like Mini.

M

 

[Monster]

I don't understand how MB can mismanage this Smart brand so poorly, they don't even need to be innovative, just copy the competition and you are guarantee to be doing better than they are now.

 

[Wolfgang]

smart is based on a quirky concept of an ultra compact city car pioneered by Johann Tomforde, Swatch and Bruno Sacco and thus limited to very short overall length. The original one was 2.5 meters long, I believe, and the latest is still under 9 feet long. Thus, the choice is limited to few vehicles in this size category, from which smart might copy. The new Toyota/Scion iQ may come close, though, and might be the only other vehicle in this size category, which is sold globally. Talk about short overhangs...

smartusainsider.com

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

But what's stopping them from growing the company beyond this limited scope? Simple mismanagement and lack of vision.

 

[Wolfgang]

2014 smart plustwo/forfour with offroad/country look

smart confirms two concepts for Frankfurt and may bring a crossover:

2014 smart fortwo SWB 2730 mm long, coupe and cabriolet
2014 smart plustwo/forfour LWB 3550 mm long
smart plustwo/forfour based crossover with raised height and body cladding

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/frankfurt-motor-show/two-new-smart-concepts-frankfurt
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/no-front-drive-smart-suv-says-mercedes-boss
http://www.germancarforum.com/community/forums/smart.9/