Could Mercedes enter a CLA in the WTCC?

"Fred (FreddsterExprs)" (freddsterexprs)
10/14/2013 at 10:40 • Filed to: WTCC, Mercedes, CLA, AMG

A very interesting Report was released today at the usually very well informed motorsport website !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , describing a possible customer program for the WTCC.

AMG said that the concept car was built in first place to test reactions to another Customer race car, and of course any series - including the WTCC - would be an option. Although they quickly stressed that a works entry isn't in the cards and only private teams would race the cars while AMG could develop a WTCC spec CLA.

Another interesting point are the visual similarities. If you take a look at the Citroen C-Elysee and the CLA 45 AMG Racing Concept they appear to be made to fit a very similar rulebook. Front splitter and rear spoiler size is about the same, wheel walls and tires aswell.

Being a possible customer programm, commercial aspects are very important. And it actually looks rather well: For 2014 only 4 Hondas, 2 Citroens and 2 Ladas are confirmed, all other teams would have to use slower, 2013 spec cars. By slower I mean 1.5sec a lap slower. With about 25 permanent startes in the series the majority of the field is left behind to fight in some sort of B-championship. I bet Mercedes could sell at least 6 chassis if they are reasonbly priced, the market is there.

So if you own a WTCC team and are looking to fight with the big works teams next year, give AMG a call. The customer is always right.

DISCUSSION (7)

Mikeado > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
10/14/2013 at 10:56

During BTCC at Silverstone the commentators mentioned that somebody was using an A-Class next year. I don't think they were referring to a factory entry (the cars are generally prepared by a third-party company), but who knows?

Fred (FreddsterExprs) > Mikeado
10/14/2013 at 10:59

Yeah an A-class is being prepared. But BTCC rules genereally favour private built entries, as seen with the BMW 1-series. BMW themself did say that there will be no new WTCC car, but they can't stop people building them on their own.

Mikeado > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
10/14/2013 at 11:04

Makes sense. It's a shame there are barely any manufacturer teams in BTCC these days (just Honda and... actually, are the MGs even factory entries?), but one barrier is that car companies aren't allowed to use racing cars in advertising, so they're only getting exposure to people who are already watching the sport, which is on the 4th ITV channel...

El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First! > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
10/14/2013 at 12:02

No, probably not. F1 is costing them a shitload of money.

Fred (FreddsterExprs) > Mikeado
10/14/2013 at 12:06

Wait, what? No use in advertising? You mean that for example Honda can't make a print campaign with a BTCC Civic pictured?
And you're right, only Honda and MGs are factory cars, or at least factory supported and funded.

Fred (FreddsterExprs) > El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First!
10/14/2013 at 12:08

As I wrote, no works team. The cars would be sold to customer teams and raced privatley, in many ways like the SLS AMG GT3. Mercedes actually makes a bit of profit with the GT3 business, maybe a similar business model could work for a smaller touring car aswell.

Mikeado > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
10/14/2013 at 12:27

Print might be OK, but definitely not TV.