Renault and Mercedes unite to develop small car platform

Renault and Mercedes-Benz are teaming up to develop a modern small car platform and two engine models which will serve as the foundation for a new series of Renault city cars and Smart vehicles.

The new platform is planned to have a rear-engine, rear-drive chassis. It will be employed for the new Smart Fortwo car, to be introduced in 2013, and for the planned Forfour model in 2014. The platform will also be utilized by Renault for its new car models, including the Twizy electric automobile.

Meanwhile, it is uncertain whether the Renault-owned Dacia, Nissan and Samsung will have access to the new platform. Nissan had earlier planned a new vehicle model positioned beneath the Micra, which is to be assembled at its Sunderland plant. However, its future at the moment looks unsure.

Renault and Mercedes also agree to share new engines, which are designed differently from Smart and created particularly for the rear-drive platform. The modern engines will be fixed to a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed, double-clutch transmission.

Moreover, the two car firms are working on a series of sub 1.8-litre, four-cylinder diesel and petrol engines that could be used in more advanced versions of the Forfour. The engines can also be installed in the next A and B-classes, and future models of the Clio, Megane, Modus, Scenic and Twingo.

Due to the resemblance in mechanical design, it is probable that the new Forfour will be manufactured by Renault, alongside its modern four-door model. Meanwhile, the Fortwo car will be assembled at Smart’s plant in Hambach, France.