With car shoppers showing an increased interest in premium compact vehicles, Mercedes-Benz is said to be revisiting its SLA Concept, which was shown at the Detroit auto show in 2000. CEO Dieter Zetsche is reportedly considering building a new roadster model inspired by the concept and based on the A-Class platform.
The decision to consider a new SLA-Class comes as Volkswagen prepares to unveil its new compact roadster concept and BMW readies a compact two-seater of its own in the form of the 1-Series-based Z2.
The car would be based on the next-generation A-Class platform, which is expected to be far less expensive to manufacture and more flexible in terms of body styles.
An anonymous Mercedes official told AutoWeek it’s “part of the regular new-model review at Mercedes-Benz to look at ideas from the past.” The source went on to say when the SLA was originally proposed “we didn’t have a suitable platform … this problem will be alleviated with the arrival of the next A-Class.”
Since no decision on production has been made, the soonest you might see an SLA in showrooms is 2012.
12/05, 1:14 AM
posted by:
acura_el2000
gayer then a miata
12/05, 1:19 AM
posted by:
elviososa
indeep.
12/05, 1:33 AM
posted by:
JSurfer1451
it looks like a go cart
12/05, 5:43 AM
posted by:
Jordan
miatas aren’t gay. but this is.
12/05, 8:18 AM
posted by:
tyler_is_aero_tt
Wow is that fugly.
12/05, 8:51 AM
posted by:
e46-330ci
with this mb is trying to commit economic suicide.
12/05, 9:29 AM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
So will Dieter bein introducing this fahhhbulous vehicle on Sprockets?
12/05, 10:01 AM
posted by:
bigjimid
Miatas are gay, and this is too. It looks as if the driver wants to wave at you with his wrist ****ed 45 degrees and shout “This car is FABULOUSSSSSSSSS!!!!!”
However, I do like the interior, and how the strut towers pierce the hood. Keep what’s unique about and move in a different direction.
12/05, 10:15 AM
posted by:
pavlindrom
They probably will redesign. No one is stupid enough to bring it out like this…
12/05, 10:31 AM
posted by:
sentinel1111
good news is that in an accident you would just go under the other car
12/05, 11:32 AM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
how about they stop bringing in new gay looking cars and focus on making their current line up better!
12/05, 12:25 PM
posted by:
Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3
A entirely goofy-ass automobile that deserves no more than Matchbox production.
12/05, 12:32 PM
posted by:
fan
i take it the frontend will look somewhat different, apart from that… seems like a nice 50s/60s style english roadster to me… 2 seats, a small windshield, a nice 4banger in it and (hopefully) lots of fun for the driver…
12/05, 1:08 PM
posted by:
The Stig
Maybe they’ll partner with Mattel to make this.
12/05, 2:04 PM
posted by:
John Doe Jr
When I see SLA, it makes me think of Symbionese Liberation Army. I don’t think could have used this moniker in the 1970’s.
12/05, 2:06 PM
posted by:
John Doe Jr
Correction: I don’t think an automaker could have used this moniker in the 1970’s.
12/05, 2:22 PM
posted by:
pavlindrom
@sentinel111: I nearly did the ugly LOL stuff when I read your comment, but quickly settled for lqtm
12/05, 4:44 PM
posted by:
inline6
The Miata isn’t a “gay man’s car” at all.
But this probably would be. It looks like it’s got a big steel penis running up the middle of the hood.
12/05, 5:21 PM
posted by:
Mr. Piston
^^^ That was a gay man’s observation….
12/06, 12:36 AM
posted by:
maxcar
it takes the worst design cues from the slk and mixes it with some innovative moves. unfortunately, the overall result is a little emasculating.