In the never-ending race to reduce production costs, some car manufacturers are ditching their decade-long tradition in favor of simpler vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz could reportedly follow a new trend with its refreshed SLC, previously known as SLK, as the roadster might be underpinned by a front-wheel drive architecture in the future, as the firm’s boss, Dr. Dieter Zetsche, suggested, according to CarAdvice.
“A front-wheel drive roadster is a very different animal“, he said, while adding that the key of producing such a car is its design and not necessarily the platform: “Especially the Mercedes-Benz long hood and the long space between the wheel and the front door, which is a signature. This is very much learned, and inherent to the brand.“
Aware that there is a rising market for crossovers, SUVs and sedans, Zetsche commented that the brand will have to adapt to the future: “Within this climate, we have to look also at our coupes, convertibles and roadster.”
Whether the next SLC will be FWD or not, it remains to be seen, but if the 3-pointed star will go down this road, then it will distance itself from BMW, whose Z4 roadster is RWD, and go Audi hunting, targeting the TT Roadster.
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