[angelbones]

Thought you might find this interesting. But who knows what will happen between now and expected release date of 2019.

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/05/03/m...di-tt-fighter/

[och]

Mercs idea of a 2 fighter so far is a ridiculous, lame, fugly fwd craptastic four door "coupe" crapbucket. No thanks.

[angelbones]

Originally Posted by och

Mercs idea of a 2 fighter so far is a ridiculous, lame, fugly fwd craptastic four door "coupe" crapbucket. No thanks.

The photo in the story is NOT of the concept. However, there is a link within the article that does show a rendering. Looks nice, however, it also looks to be FWD at this point. IMO, they saw that BMW was having success with its 2 series because it fills a unique niche. Nicer than a Hyundai, Chevy, Ford, etc., but not as expensive as the 4 series, or Audi A5, etc.

[och]

Originally Posted by angelbones

The photo in the story is NOT of the concept. However, there is a link within the article that does show a rendering. Looks nice, however, it also looks to be FWD at this point. IMO, they saw that BMW was having success with its 2 series because it fills a unique niche. Nicer than a Hyundai, Chevy, Ford, etc., but not as expensive as the 4 series, or Audi A5, etc.

I ordered my 235 because I like it way better than current 4 series, had nothing to do with price. I had a 2010 335 coupe before (it drowned during 2012 Sandy storm) but current 4 series coupe is just too bloated. The 235 is pure and perfect, MB could never make anything like that, instead they will make something ridiculous and full of electronic gizmos.

[Merc for hire]

Mercedes refuse to put a manual transmission in any of their cars(except for the lowly SLK250).

That single reason is why I didn't bother considering any of their cars before getting the 2 Series.

[Xiaoxi]

merc to bring a 2 fighter in 2019.....so about 5 years too late?

[sstarrx3]

I think the render is pretty sweet looking! Especially the vert! I do not care for the 2 series vert top up or down but this merc render looks very sweet!

[moldcad]

Frankly, all those small "supercars" look funny. Even the M235 (though much less so that the Merc). IMHO, a form factor most suitable for placing "great heart in a small body) is a hatchback - this is one of the reasons I love my Golf R so much...

On the pic below, my R is next to my (now gone) F10; both look right. In the comparison, my M235i is not quite serious-looking. Luckily enough, it's very serious-driving

[sstarrx3]

Would not give any of them a class of super car...I think 400-500 hp should be the requirement for that moniker.

[moldcad]

That's why I wrote "supercars"...

[Kidu]

I agree - 4-series was too bloated for me too. Plus MB are against Manuals, so I would never get one.

[och]

AFAIK, MB never had a proper 3 series fighter, as the C class was always bland and anything but sporty. It only completed with 3 series in price/size, but its character is completely different. And these days MB is just going too crazy with all sorts of electronic gizmos, whatever they build drives like a video game. There's no way they could build a proper 2 series competitor.

[moldcad]

Misunderstanding - my comment didn't apply to 4-series. It's a beautiful car, not at all "funny" in the sense the 2-series are.

If I bought the M235i is only because I'm more after performance than the looks. Othewise, I'd have forked that $$$ more and got a 435i with MPPK.

[Cal]

Originally Posted by moldcad

On the pic below, my R is next to my (now gone) F10; both look right. In the comparison, my M235i is not quite serious-looking. Luckily enough, it's very serious-driving

Great looking Golf VII R! Curious what your impressions are of it and the M235i. Which performs better in terms of acceleration, handling, and braking? Which do you enjoy driving more? The Golf R wasn't available when I got my M235i, but if it was, I would have strongly considered it. Great car for the money, and great modding potential.

[nachob]

Originally Posted by Merc for hire

Mercedes refuse to put a manual transmission in any of their cars(except for the lowly SLK250).

That single reason is why I didn't bother considering any of their cars before getting the 2 Series.

+1

Same goes for Acura and Lexus. Sadly only BMW remains and not for long!

[angelbones]

Originally Posted by nachob

+1

Same goes for Acura and Lexus. Sadly only BMW remains and not for long!

To Cadillac's credit, they do offer a manual in the ATS-V and even the regular 2.0 ATS. Like I said originally a lot can happen between now and 2019. On the whole though, it's not looking good for manuals, as the technology on automatics combined with EPA requirements, may spell doom for the manual.