Mercedes-Benz NAFA
The Mercedes-Benz NAFA was a forward-thinking 1982 concept car designed as a compact, highly maneuverable city vehicle.
It featured four-wheel steering, automatic transmission, air conditioning, and front-wheel drive, packaged into a tiny two-seater format that Mercedes also envisioned in three- and four-seat variants.
Despite strong innovation, the NAFA never reached production. Its compact size made it difficult to satisfy Mercedes-Benz’s rigorous safety standards, especially regarding occupant protection.
Solutions to these challenges would only emerge years later with the A-Class’s sandwich-floor architecture and the smart’s protective safety cell.
Where it excelled was in city use. The NAFA’s ultra-short length enabled remarkable agility, and with four-wheel steering, it could slip easily into tight parking spaces—even nose first. Its low beltline, high seating position, and large windows improved visibility in dense urban environments, showcasing Mercedes-Benz’s early vision for the ideal city car.
