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DaimlerChrysler has decided not to build the vehicle - read article from "Auto Express"

Articles from "Bild", "msn carpoint", "Auto Bild", n.n., DaimlerChrysler Press Text,
"Auto Motor und Sport" and "Auto Express"

Photo: DaimlerChrysler    Additional background retouching by MBEP webmaster

Translation of an article from German daily newspaper "Bild", January 11th 2000:

Detroit Motorshow
Mercedes-Benz SLA

Mercedes shows a thoroughbred roadster study on the base of the A-Class with aluminium- and plastic-body. The SLA is only 3.77 metres long, weighs only 950 kilograms and has a 125 hp ((DIN)) strong 1.9-litre four-cylinder engine. With that the lively two-seater shall be able to reach a top speed of 209 km/h ((130 mph)) and consume only 7.1 litres premium each 100 km ((39.8 mpg/UK, 33.1 mpg/US)). The interior is reduced to the fundamental: Two cockpit instruments in Chronometer-design, few switches on the centre console. Dark brown leather is used as covering for the carbon seats and for parts of the dashboard, the floor and the door panels. The SLA could start in the year 2003 for below DM 45.000 ((USD 23.700 assumed USD 1 = DM 1.90)):
End of article - translation by MBEP webmaster. As usual remarks in ((blabla)).

Graphics: DaimlerChrysler     Additional preparation for the web by MBEP webmaster

Here's whatreports at January 11th 2000:

Juergen Hubbert, DaimlerChrysler management board member, unveiled the dramatic Vision SLA concept car here today—a gorgeous vehicle that emphasizes the heritage of the classic Mercedes roadsters of the fifties, such as the 190 SL and the 300 SL.

Speaking from the lower level of the impressive two-story Mercedes display stand, Hubbert emphasized the wide range of convertibles offered by Mercedes-Benz as part of a strategy of heavy investment into a new and comprehensive model line.
...
Once the business review was complete, a video highlighting the Vision SLA's design story flashed onto a massive screen overhead. As the video concluded, the back wall opened and with headlights piercing through the smoke, the Vision SLA concept rolled to the front of the stage.
Three photos below and photo texts: msn carpoint   Additional preparation for the web by MBEP webmaster

Wing design 19-inch aluminium wheels.	The front of the Vision SLA incorporates a wing into the overall arrow design.	Large knobs and a drilled aluminium face evoke the nostalgia of old radios.

Retro-elements such as an aluminium luggage rack on the rear decklid and a metal shiftgate sharply contrast with dramatic elements such as the wing profiles and the striking arrow-shaped front. Other modern elements include 19-inch wheels.
...
End of excerpt from article from msn carpoint
...denote omissions by MBEP webmaster because having nothing to do with the SLA

Photo: DaimlerChrysler   Additional preparation for the web by MBEP webmaster

Translation of an article from German car mag "Auto Bild" issue 49/1999, December 10th

A-Class with Class

A Roadster on the base of the A-Class. Who would have thought that? Still it is a vision, an idea to play with from the Mercedes design department under the supervision of Peter Pfeiffer. But how fast a vision can become reality we have seen  with the super-roadster SLR which in all probability will get into serial production in 2002.
The SLA has sporty lines like his bigger brother. The front wing profile and the arrow-shaped hood unmistakably shall bring over: We are the Formula 1 champions. On the back the sloping rear reminds more on the legendary silver arrows of the 1950`s.
This thoroughbred A-Arrow shall shoot directly into the heart of the young buyers. On only 3.77 metres length pure open-air experience is promised. The SLA is reduction to the minimum. Without superfluous weight, without many luxury items. Roadster with class.
As drive serves the technique from the A-Class. But only the top version is considered: 1.9-litre with 125 hp ((DIN)). And that will guaranteed not be the end of that. Because a famous tuner lives in the house of DaimlerChrysler: AMG.
But we ask ourselves if Mercedes does endanger his best-selling roadster SLK which is only 23 centimetres longer. Or are the Stuttgarters searching for the niche in the niche in the niche?
End of article - translation and remarks ((blabla)) by MBEP webmaster

Graphics: DaimlerChrysler   Additional preparation for the web by MBEP webmaster

Mercedes-Benz Roadster Concept to Unveil in Detroit
December 10, 1999

Mercedes-Benz plans to unveil an intriguing roadster concept at the upcoming North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The open car features striking exterior design, a compelling interior and innovative Mercedes-Benz technology. Over a foot shorter than the SLK retractable hardtop roadster, the new concept roadster is based on the revolutionary safety platform of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class -- a successful small car not yet available in the U.S. Power comes from the A-Class's top-of-the-line 1.9-liter/120-horsepower engine.
The roadster's arrow-shaped front hood and eye-catching front fenders are adapted from the futuristic,
high-performance SLR super sports car (planned for production around 2003). At the same time, its large doors, flat windshield and gently sloping rear styling are reminiscent of the legendary Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrow racers of the 1950s.
Carbon fiber seat frames and innovative light clusters at both the front and rear are just two examples of sophisticated Mercedes-Benz technology beneath the youthful bodywork. While integrating such leading-edge components, the designers of the new concept roadster have remained true to the original roadster philosophy -- an uncomplicated, purist approach to a very direct connection between man, machine and nature.  Photo below: DaimlerChrysler   Additional background retouching by MBEP webmaster

DaimlerChrysler press text released December 10th 1999

Vision SLA: Puristic roadster enjoyment based on the Mercedes-Benz A-class

- Study for an open two-seater with compact dimensions
- Design elements of the super-sportscar SLR
- Sophisticated Mercedes technology for pure driving enjoyment

Stuttgart – Mercedes-Benz is aiming directly for the hearts of fun-loving young drivers with a new and exciting roadster study. Only 3.77 meters short, the Vision SLA offers everything that spells fun on four wheels: a pure open-air experience, a fascinating design, a unique interior and innovative Mercedes technology. On January 10, 2000 this two-seater will introduce itself to the public for the first time at the international Auto Show in Detroit.

Graphics: DaimlerChrysler    Rotation, adaption to new viewing angler and further preparation for the web by MBEP webmaster

“Vision SLA is a name with a symbolic character”, says Professor Juergen Hubbert, the member of the Board of Management of DaimlerChrysler AG with re-sponsibility for the Mercedes-Benz car business. “Firstly this combination of letters indicates the close relationship with the super-sportscar SLR, which will go into series production in a few years, and secondly the name SLA unmistakably alludes to the technical basis for this roadster study: the Mercedes-Benz A-class.”
Youthful and uncomplicated, in peak sporting condition and breathtakingly attractive, the Vision SLA exerts a magnetic attraction -- an automobile that quickens the pulse, provokes spontaneous enthusiasm and transfers the grand tradition of the SL roadsters to the compact segment for the first time.
Powerfully swept fenders, a flat windshield angle, large doors and a sloping rear end in the style of the legendary Mercedes silver arrows are the characteristic features of this roadster design, along with two particularly future-oriented attributes: the eye-catching front fender pro-file and the arrow-shaped hood of the study with a centrally mounted Mercedes star which the Vision SLA has adopted from the high-performance SLR sportscar. In this way the designers have demonstrated that these new elements also cut a good figure on sporty Mercedes models in other vehicle classes.

Graphics: DaimlerChrysler     Additional preparation for the web by MBEP webmaster

Engine, suspension and safety concept from the A-class
Sophisticated Mercedes technology is at work beneath the attractive bodywork. The engineers have remained completely true to the original roadster philosophy: “back-to-the-roots” driving enjoyment – staying with what is important as the best possible precondition for a direct, unfalsified link between man, machine and nature.
Like the suspension and safety concept, the roadster study has adopted the 1.9-liter engine with 92kW/125 hp from the Mercedes-Benz A-class. Innovative light clusters at the front and rear ends, as well as seat bases of carbon fiber, are further technical highlights.
End of text - written by Christof Vieweg, Redaktionsbuero Vieweg, Nov. 26th '99, for DaimlerChrysler

SLA tested

. The 1.9-litre engine from the A190 under the hood drives the front wheels       Photo and photo text: Auto Motor und Sport. Background retouching and additional preparation for the web by MBEP webmaster

Besides the Smart roadster, which shall come to the dealerships in spring 2003, Mercedes also forces the development of the SLA as photos from tests show. The compact two-seater probably shall be produced in a small series. Below his 3.77 body consisting of aluminium and plastics the SLA hides engine and technics of the A-Class. Besides the unit itself the type of engine mount was adopted, too, at a frontal crash the drive shall slide under the passenger compartment and not intrude into the interior. That Mercedes already at the construction of the prototype invested so much care into the passive safety of the passengers could be another indication for chances of the study`s serial production.
Translation by MBEP webmaster

Axe Falls On Merc's Baby Roadster
 29/3/2000 - Mercedes has sensationally scrapped its plans to build the SLA baby roadster, Auto Express can exclusively reveal. The tiny two-seater sports car was set for production after being unveiled as a concept at the Detroit Motor Show. Since then, though, the project has been shelved in favour of an MCC Smart roadster.

Peter Pfeiffer, the German company's head of design who was responsible for the concept car, as well as the new C-Class ((W203)), said: "We will not be building the SLA. It was designed as a concept car and we could have gone ahead with it, but it's not part of our marketing plan."

Based on the platform and running gear of the firm's A-Class, the possible baby brother to the SLK and SL roadsters was to use lightweight alloy and composite bodywork, which would help to keep its weight down to a feather-light 950kg. The chassis, running the 123bhp 1.9-litre engine currently in the A-Class, would have competitive performance. A 7.9-second 0-60mph time and a 140mph top speed were claimed for the concept machine. Despite such impressive figures, however, the SLA met with a lukewarm reaction from Detroit showgoers, who seemed to be unimpressed by the its quirky styling, especially the unusual front and rear lamp arrangements.

The projected price of a production version was around £28,000, which was considered prohibitively high. It would have put the SLA into direct competition with models such as the Audi TT roadster, BMW Z3 2.8, and the entry-level versions of Mercedes' own SLK. As a result, to cash in on the worldwide boom in roadsters, the firm wants to build a smaller, cheaper vehicle.

However, the manufacturer is anxious about taking the Mercedes brand too far downmarket as this may hurt its carefully nurtured image at the luxury end of the sports car scale. With this in mind, top bosses have ordered the SLA to be scrapped. The small roadster project which gets the nod is from Mercedes' subsidiary, MCC Smart. Dubbed the MG Midget for the 21st century, it is due on sale in late 2001, with a price tag of only £12,000. This will expand the city car brand beyond the current trend-setting small commuter vehicle and perfectly suit the marque's trendy, youth-orientated image.

The final production version of Mercedes' Smart Roadster is expected to resemble closely a concept car which was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September last year. The supermini-sized Smart Roadster is set to be the shortest mid-engined car on sale, and it will use the same innovative steel 'tridion' frame technology as the City Coupé. And, like its sibling, the roadster will be clothed in dent-resistant plastic body panels, which can be quickly replaced, so owners can change the shade of their car cheaply and easily. The 600cc three-cylinder turbo engine is also borrowed from the current model, although it will be uprated from the present 55bhp to around 100bhp. Mounted behind the passenger compartment and transmitting its power to the rear wheels via a six-speed clutchless sequential manual gearbox, it will prove more than enough to give the Smart lively performance thanks to the car's 700kg total weight. Expect a 0-60mph time of under nine seconds and a 100mph top speed.
End of article from "Auto Express"

Last revised: April 5th 2000  Visits since Dec. 14th 1999 .

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