Mercedes AMG Plotting New Smaller Sports Car To Go After Porsche Cayman

Mercedes AMG wants to launch a new ‘enthusiast’ sports car that will go against the Porsche Cayman.

The new model has been presented to Mercedes’ board of management, reports Autocar, as an indirect replacement of the slow-selling SLC. The car will be uniquely engineered by AMG and will possibly adopt a mid-engine layout, as well as styling with clear links to the upcoming AMG Project One hypercar.

However, there’s still the possibility for the new model to adopt the classic front-mid engine layout due to financial reasons.

AMG’s Cayman rival, which is still at a conceptual stage, will be positioned under the GT in the performance brand’s range and will be offered as a fixed-roof coupe or as an open-top roadster.

It’s still too early to talk about engines but the car is being pitched with the choice of two power options. These will be shared or closely related to the 2.0-liter turbo powertrains that will be used in the upcoming A35 and A45 hot hatches. More powerful track-focused versions are also a possibility later in the model’s production life cycle.

“A lot of thought has gone into how Mercedes-AMG can better leverage its success in motorsport, particularly Formula 1 and endurance racing,” said an unnamed Mercedes-Benz manager. “One idea is a sports car that is relatively attainable financially and ideally suited to track day running. But it is just an idea and not a committed project right now.”

Mercedes-AMG Project One pictured