The 2009 A-Class was revealed earlier this year, and though it received a number of updates, the car is due for a complete redesign sometime in 2011. The next-generation A-Class range is expected to feature a number of body styles, but the latest word indicates a roadster could be joining the group as well.
Previous speculation on the next-gen A-Class family had only included mini-SUV, sports-hatch and four-door coupe models. Now a possible roadster, perhaps styled after the SLA Concept, is also thought to be in the works, reports AutoWeek. The car hasn't yet been confirmed, and even if it does make it to production, the car might not make it to North America. Weak sales and small margins could prohibit the car from finding a successful niche given its likely premium placement and pricing.
A roadster version of the current-generation A-Class wasn't possible due to the car's 'sandwich' construction, stacking the drivetrain and other elements underneath the cabin, which made it too high for a topless variant to be practical. The new A-Class will do away with this limitation, opening the possibility back up for an SLA-like roadster.
At least two of the three other possible variants are likely to replace the current hatchback and wagon. The coupe/hatch and mini-SUV are the front-runners, though the four-door coupe could yet meet approval as well.
Whichever models are selected for the final build, however, the next-gen A-Class will be very important for Mercedes. It has a massive investment in retooling and development of the new car, and with global emissions and fuel economy standards rapidly cinching down on carmakers, the small platform will be one of the brand's only convenient avenues to true efficiency.
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