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Click above to see the Mercedes-Benz Vision SLA concept in high-resolution

Small countries with fledgling economies are prone, upon occasion, to scrap their currency and start over again. Inflation rises, their currency is devalued, so they simply press the "reset" button. And looking at the history of the Mercedes-Benz roadster, we wonder if they haven't been doing the same thing. First came the original SL - "sporty" and "light weight" - which by now has swelled to massive proportions and SUV-rivaling weight. So Mercedes introduced the SLK, a smaller version with the added K for "kurtz" or "short". But as the SLK has by now grown at least as big as the original SL, officials have been mulling over the idea of making an even smaller roadster.

Actually, they've been mulling it over for nearly a decade. Mercedes unveiled their Vision SLA concept way back in 2000, and they've been toying with the idea ever since. But new post-Detroit Auto Show reports suggest that the long-rumored SLA-like droptop is alive and well, and may finally come to market as a response to growing demand for smaller, more efficient vehicles. Although the current A and B-Class platform utilizes novel sandwich underbody construction that would preclude use in a short roadster, the next generation of Mercedes front-drive compacts is expected to forgo the unusual configuration in favor of a more conventional front-engine/front-wheel-drive set-up. Even a small-displacement AMG version could be in the cards. Sources continue to suggest we could see a production SLA slot under the SLK by 2012, just in time to face off with BMW's rumored 1 Series-based roadster.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz SLA Concept


[Source: Drive.com.au]

The Reset Button: New reports say Mercedes SLA roadster on-track for 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Benzmercedesmercedes a-classmercedes a-class convertiblemercedes a-class roadstermercedes slamercedes-benzMercedesA-classMercedesA-classConvertibleMercedesA-classRoadsterMercedesSlaSLAMon, 19 Jan 2009 17:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: next Mercedes B-Class could spawn derivatives]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/report-next-mercedes-b-class-could-spawn-derivatives/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/report-next-mercedes-b-class-could-spawn-derivatives/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/16/report-next-mercedes-b-class-could-spawn-derivatives/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We doubt you'll be mourning the loss of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, which, as we reported earlier this month, might be canceled rather than replaced in 2011. The compact hatchback never won resounding praise, and for good reason, was never sold in the US. The larger B-Class, however, is likely to be replaced in the same year, and could spawn a number of derivatives.

The current B-Class, which is sold to our hockey-loving neighbors to the north, is only offered as a five-door hatchback. The next B could be joined by a sportier hatch and even a roadster, with the potential for US importation. The latter was previewed in part by the Vision SLA concept shown at Detroit way back in 2000. Earlier reports also suggested the possibility of the next B-Class borrowing from the C-Class platform, which would mean rear-wheel-drive, in proper Benz style, instead of the front-drive of the current A and B.

[Source: AutoBild via Motor Authority]

Report: next Mercedes B-Class could spawn derivatives originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Jul 2007 12:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abbenzcclasscompactconvertiblehatchbackmercedesroadsterslavisionMon, 16 Jul 2007 12:04:00 EST