A Front-Wheel Drive Mercedes-Benz Roadster?

As Mercedes-Benz begins to reduce the number of architectures it uses for their vehicles, an interesting question pops up: Could Mercedes-Benz do a front-wheel drive roadster?

Crazy?! Not so when you consider the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class and GLA-Class use a front-wheel drive architecture. A possible candidate could be the next-generation SLC roadster.

“A front-wheel-drive roadster is a very different animal,” said Mercedes-Benz chief Dr. Dieter Zetsche to CarAdvice when asked about the SLC possibly moving to a front-wheel drive platform.

There is some method to this possible madness as more and more buyers are drifting towards sedans and crossovers. This is turn means not as many roadsters are being sold and causing an automaker to lose money, something Zetsche is aware of.

“Going forward, we all know there are big expansions in the auto industry, and those expansions are more to sedans and SUVs than sports cars. Within this climate, we have to look also at our coupes and convertibles and roadsters,” said Zetsche.

But not many people buy a roadster because its drive layout. They buy it for the design, something Zetsche points out.

“Especially the Mercedes-Benz long hood and the long space between the wheel and the front door, which is a signature. That is very much learned, and inherent to the brand.”

Will it happen? Zetsche isn't saying. But there is some indication that it has been talked about at the three-pointed star.

Pic Credit: Mercedes-Benz