Rumours are flying around the industry grapevine that Mercedes-Benz is developing a cute little roadster to compete with the Audi TT, to be called the SLA.
That's not altogether a new idea - the pictures you see here are of a 2000 concept for a small roadster that got as far as a running prototype before fading away into might-have-been.
But it is cute*, isn't it?
The 2013 model, on the other hand, seems to have a lot more substance; apparently it will be built on the A-Class platform with styling derived from the new SLK and a 1.6-litre turbopetrol driving the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
A 1.8-litre turbodiesel and a six-speed manual are reportedly under consideration. A fabric roof, however, is a definite, to save weight and cost.
Online consensus seems to be that the project falls between two stools; the Audi TT already goes head to head with the SLK, so the SLA will more likely compete with future Mini convertibles and silly little French CC's.
And that means going up against the world's most successful roadster ever, the Mazda MX-5, on its own turf - and in that context, front-wheel drive ain't gonna cut it.
If the SLA were rear-wheel drive, our money would be on it to give the MX-5 some meaningful competition for the first time since the demise of the Honda S2000. As it is, it's just going to be a Daihatsu Copen with a fancy grille and huge price-tag.
Sorry, Mercedes; nice try, but no cigar.
*IOL Motoring definition of “cute”: Ugly but lovable.