According to a report in UK magazine AutoCar, German and French super carmakers Mercedes-Benz and Renault are teaming up to create the perfect minicar platform. The new modular platform that the two companies are going to create togheter might be used on both sides as the main “ingredient” for future Eco cars, and not only.

Initially we thought, just like you people did probably, that this is not a likely collaboration. I mean, Mercede and Renault? They might fit in a picture as arch-enemies, not partners. But think of the Smart line, for Mercedes, and of the new Twizzy electric vehicle, for Renault. There isn’t that much room for diversity when it comes to dedicated platforms for mini-cars – so why not work togheter and share the profits?

Smart ForTwo

Like the current Smart ForTwo, the new platform will be rear engine and rear wheel drive but it will be able to accomodate a stretched wheelbase for a new ForFour. The two seater would arrive in 2013 and the four seater a year later. The last ForFour was actually a completely different front wheel drive car based on a Mitsubishi platform. Mercedes is developing all new three cylinder gas and diesel engines for the next Smarts and could also supply those to Renault. The thoroughly unloved semi-automatic gearbox in today’s ForTwo is expected to be supplanted by a new 7-speed dual clutch unit.

It’s unknown at this point whether Mercedes will also work hand-in-hand with Renault on the electric system chapter, and of other gadgets might be seen on both lines of cars targeted by this team-up. But one thing is for sure: two heads are better than one.

Renault Twizy