© MercedesElsewhere, Fiat Chrylser will use Pugeout's small car platform and the second Bahrain F1 race this year will be run on a new layout.
Welcome to The Grid, R&T's quick roundup of the auto industry and motorsports news you should know this morning.
The S-Class Coupe and Convertible Are Dying
Mercedes needs to trim its lineup. Both for emissions and complexity reasons, we've known that the automakers plans to axe multiple models, focusing on the less popular sedans, convertibles, and coupes. Now, the company has confirmed two of the models it will eliminate: the S-Class Coupe and S-Class Convertible.
Both models will die after the 2021 model year, while the S-Class sedan will be redesigned and live on. These were widely suspected to be high on the list of models to ditch, as Mercedes makes two other six-figure two-doors, the AMG GT and the SL.
FCA Will Start Using Peugeot's Small-Car Platform
The impending merger of Fiat Chrysler and PSA into "Stellantis" will lead to FCA using the Peugeot 208's platform, according to a leaked supplier letter obtained by Automotive News Europe. FCA apparently told suppliers to cease all development and tooling production related to B-segment cars, which apparently covered new products from Fiat, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, and Jeep. These entries were originally planned to ride on the updated small car platform that underpins the new Fiat 500, but the report suggests they will instead use Peugeot's Common Modular Platform.
Bahrain's F1 Double Header Will Feature Two Different Track Layouts
If you were looking to see Bahrain's faster, shorter layout on the F1 calendar, good news. For the 2020 F1 double header, the first race will use the standard F1 Bahrain Grand Prix track layout, while the second will use the outer track layout.
© F1bahrain outer track map
This layout has been compared to an oval, as it's much simpler than the standard layout. It's mostly fast right-hand turns, likely to make tire strategy extremely important. It's also just 2.2 miles long with lap times of 55 seconds, making it one of F1's shortest tracks. The race will be called the Rolex Sakhir Grand Prix and will take place on December 6.
Gallery: This Six-Speed Porsche Cayenne GTS Can Be Your Ultimate Race Car Hauler (Road & Track)