August30
The Audi R8 supercar won't be unveiled until late September, but Mercedes is already planning a competitor to the high-performance two-seater, according to a report by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. Like the R8, the new Mercedes will feature a mid-engine configuration. Power could come from a version of the AMG division's new 6.2-liter V8. Rumors of a Mercedes model fitting this description first surfaced in 2004. However, the then-rumored 2008 Mercedes P8 was expected to cost around $200,000. Reports later surfaced that the project had been cancelled. If AMS is right, it would seem Mercedes has revived its mid-engine sports car program, but this time the $100,000 Audi R8 and the Porsche 911 will be the target, rather than the Lamborghini Gallardo or Ferrari F430. A production version of the car isn't expected until 2010. (Schulte/Nextline put together an illustration of how such a car could look, but it is believed to be pure speculation based on these rumors).
So next we need to see a revival of the M1 with BMW's v10, being that the original M1 and M5's had the same engine - if I'm not mistaken
Will the Mercedes Benz version be as ugly as the Audi? Seriously, this R8 is just not doing it for me.
Strangely, the R8 reminds me of a McLaren. Did they have any input in this car's design?
Whats the point of a Mercedes SL then ?????? Why not just make the next version of the SL more of a drivers cars and PUT IN A MANUAL.
This vehicle will be based on the same platform as the Viper, Firepower, and ME4-12
Beuatiful, far better looking than the Maclaren. I sure with the wide stance, it will hug the corner even better
Dieter — you mean beter looking than the MacLaren Mercedes SLR? Not the F1, right? The F1 is till the hawt badness.
"This vehicle will be based on the same platform as the Viper, Firepower, and ME4-12"
Huh? You got a credible source for backup?
"Whats the point of a Mercedes SL then ??????"
Roadster vs small sports coupe
"Will the Mercedes Benz version be as ugly as the Audi? Seriously, this R8 is just not doing it for me."
That's really for you and you only to find out. Might as well say "R8 sux!!! BMW rulez!!!!" next time Renton…
why not make a baby McLaren Merc instead.. just a thought
Veda:
a total of 4 vehicles are slated for the ZC viper platform.
The viper an absolute, the Firepower is a shoe-in.
Parts suppliers have confirmed development of a rear-mounted transaxle for this platform, and insiders have confirmed that the platform will be easily adaptable to multiple powertrain configurations (read: not different engines, but both front and mid-engined).
The ME is rumored to still be under development, and recent appearances at various concours/shows and appearances in major media (such as rap videos) is only adding fuel to that fire.
Mercedes is also rumored to have a mid-engined vehicle on this platform, which would make the fourth vehicle slated for this platform.
That's right where this thing would fit in. (competing w/ the R8 and the 911)
Seriously who in their bloody right mind would ever pick up a Benz competitor to the F430, rather than the F430 itself?
That's right where this thing would fit in. (competing w/ the R8 and the 911)
Seriously who in their bloody right mind would ever pick up a Benz competitor to the F430, rather than the F430 itself?
It doesn't take much to look better than the F430.
Plus, extremely limited availability and unfavorable long-term reliability (maintenace costs and wear and tear from being used as a daily driver) are reasons to purchase a merc over the Ferrari.
I am not saying that the Merc is not a good drivers car, just that many would not consider it for the same reasons they would the r8/10 or this.
Horrible photoshop job. . .when was the last time AMS got one of these far off prediction things right?
the me 412 is on the viper chassis? huh, i didnt know that. are they gunna make the me 412? anybody know?
They're cancelled the ME four-twelve, but according to someone's post a few back, it's still a possibility…?
I'd buy the Audi over the Merc, but that's just me. Either way, this should push cars to be better than originally planned
Daniel, it is pretty hard to 'cancel' a 'concept car'.
Like said above, there are four vehicles to be based on the next-gen (ZC) viper patform. The next gen (ZC) will feature a rear mounted transaxle and the platform has been developed to accept mutiple powertrain configurations/locations.
Exact vehicles that will be produced (outside of the Viper) remains *speculation*
BATTLE OF THE GERMANS!!!!!! PORSCHE 911, AUDI R8, MERCEDES P8, BMW M8 (hopefully bmw makes a car to battle them with)
YAWN… Hooked to a slushbox for sure. Merc hasn't a clue how to make a sports car, they should keep their efforts focused on cushly luxury sedans and SUVs.
this is not an arguement against you 1952 MG TD, everything I have read and heard indicates that the next gen viper and firepower will be on the ZC platform, but from what I have read about the ME412, and it only make sense since most mid-engine supercars carry similar platforms, is that it has a carbon fiber and alumunim monocoque mated to front and rear subframes. I know its all *speculation* at this point but it doesn't seem like they would use such advanced platform for cars that cost 4-5 times less. I can see the benz sharing the same platform as the ME412, but not with a viper.
The only other possibility I would see for the ME 412, would be to build it on the SLR frame. Othewrwise, the cost of this vehicle would sky rocket, and profit margins would shrink to nill just like the Ford GT. Expect it to be on an existing platformm Viper or SLR.
As for this car, I like it. I have to agree with Jason though, if it's a genuine Mercedes, then I could garantee they will butcher it with some sort of manu-matic…complete with monogrammed ascott. It took McLaren to develop the SLR to what it is. But i like the look of the car, pretty nice.
BTW, Ferarri has no peers.
It's just a photoshopped Audi R8
aaron: the ZC is going to be using advanced carbon composite throughout, look at work done/developed by ASC for a hint of what the ZC has in its future.
Do not make the mistake of using advanced materials and build present on the ME to disqualify this…
Wouldn't the Chrysler Firepower/ Dodge Viper and Mercedes SL sharing platforms make more sense seeing as they are all front engine/ rear drive cars.
Last time I checked the Mercedes P8 was cancelled a couple of years ago by then CEO of Mercedes Benz but restarted when Mclaren decided it would carry on but sold under the Mclaren name with Mercedes backing for the project.
http://www.channel4.com/4car/news/news-story.jsp?news_id=12044&ref=archive#article
This would give the car alot more credential and the ability to take on the big boys with Mercedes backing.
did grand cherokee roots dimminish the capabilities of the new ML or GL? Are the comapss, caliber and patriot the same vehicle: no. dimensionally different in EVERY aspect.
we are talking platforms here… and if MB offers a mid engined vehicle on a platform shared with three other vehicles, it will not diminish the brand at all, nor will it affect the products sales negatively.
Needs the ASMA design grill for maximum effect.
Ferarri has no peers. I agree. Almost 20 plus years without a F-1 Title. A on & off overhyped Fiat at the end of the day. There is no vehicle in the Ferarri camp that supports a mid-engine layout that even touches the Mclaren F-1 not including current upgrades. Speaking of current, at present Ferarri has no front engine models to rival the Mercedes Mclaren SLR 722 for performance or refinement being looks are subjective. Even with the so called slow selling Maybach's combined with the Benz SLR's the numbers read a estimated 800-1000 inits for the year at the heavy sticker of $330,000 plus for Bach's & the give or take $450,000 SLR. This does not include the world wide sales of the AMG 65 series S Class, SL Class, & CL Class batting a average price tag of $185,000 amx. Pretty close to the F430 entry fee. Putting aside Karl Benz invented the automobile & that Mercedes is the Auto Industry engineering & technology patent leader in history to date, they have the high end market BOSS to Brioni wearing customers to float the check for this segment competitor. The appeal of the tree pointed star is it can sell down market economy cars against companies such as BMW and hang in with respectable sales. The catch is BMW struggles with upmarket world wide sales; Mercedes Benz shines. Nobody sells more cars around the globe at over $100,000 pending on country & currency. Benz has classics like the 540K models from the 1930's that fetch 5 to 10 million. Benz has cars that are priceless like the 2 SLR's from the 1950's which have had rumoured offers of 25 to 50 million euros. Make all the jokes you want, but the AMG(HWA) Mercedes CLK-GTR coupes & cabrios are still the world's most expensive production cars upon release. More then the Bugatti and almost 100% owned subsidiary Mclaren F1. Anyways to get to the heart of the matter, the price point where Benz leaves BMW far behind, it has & will sell cars at the Ferarri level of suggested retail plus beyond be it a Benz, Maybach, Mclaren, or even the Pagani courtship is pretty convincing. Who knows the Chrysler ME412 & Viper siblings might find & sustain a piece of the pie. It is still a Daimler. I respect Ferarri because at least they are on the track & the only real brand not to retain independent ownership. Please Rolls a BMW, Aston-Range-Jag a Ford, and the Audi-Bentley-Bugatti-Lambo consortium is a Volkswagen. What? You better believe Daimler or call it Mercedes Benz can compete on any stage. The real deal since 1886.
http://www.mx.autocosmos.com/contenidos/videos.asp i found this page and looks like the 2007 Honda CRV is already for sale in Mexico
they both bear a striking resemblance to the Caddy Cien concept
King Daimler, so what you are saying is that you are a Hyundai fan?!?
BTW, check your jistory books. Michael Schumacher, the greatest F1 driver to grace the sport, drives for THE Ferrari team having won titles in '99, 2000, '01, and '02.
You are right Piablo,he won those titles after a 20 year plus hiatus. Your point is off the point of the Daimler brand being able to play in the Ferrari market price wise. Never ever forget that Karl Benz kicked off this wonderful invention, at least on record.