Mercedes-Benz considering a compact roadster based on the A-Class

The compact Mercedes-Benz A-Class and B-Class are under consideration for the North American market. According to AutoWeek, Daimler’s CEO Dieter Zetsche is also considering a proposal for a two-seat roadster based on the two compact models.

The new compact front-wheel-drive roadster will be based on the Vision SLA concept that we saw at the 2000 Detroit Auto Show. The move comes as Volkswagen plans to reveal a new mid-engine roadster concept at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show next month and as BMW hints at a 1-Series based roadster known as the Z2.

There is no word yet on whether the small-roadster model has been approved or whether it will come to the U.S. market. According to a senior Mercedes-Benz official, when the SLA made its debut, Mercedes did not have a suitable platform to produce the car. That problem has now been solved with the arrival of the next A-Class and B-Class whose platform can support many different model variants.

Mercedes-Benz Vision SLA Concept Gallery:

   

  

Source: AutoWeek