Report Says Next Mercedes SLK to Ditch Metal Roof and Go FWD; Next CLS to Be More Distinctive

There is a report circulating around the web these days, talking about Mercedes’ intentions to build a TT rival as well as a Panamera one.

Doesn’t Mercedes already have a TT and a Panamera rival? If not, then what cars are the main rivals for the SLK and the CLS? Let’s start reading between the lines here.

The report made its first appearance in the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport with Automotive News sharing the story and basically says that Mercedes is planning a FWD coupe/roadster based on the platform of the next A-Class, set to debut in 2017-2018. If the rumours are true, the FWD SLK successor will ditch the folding metal roof in favour of two separate versions in the form of a coupe and a soft-top roadster. The move from RWD to FWD certainly makes sense financially, and the use of a common platform with the new A-Class will drop development costs significantly, helping this way Mercedes to reach its goals and pass BMW by 2020 to be the world’s best-selling premium car manufacturer.

The same report says also that AMG division will be responsible for the development of this new car as well as the so-called Panamera rival. The next CLS will be based on the next E-Class -scheduled to debut next year- and the new car will have its own, unique design instead of being a more emotional and sporty version of Mercedes’ big sedan.

Auto Motor und Sport says that the two new models are not approved yet by Mercedes’ officials with the German company declining to comment further.