Mercedes reveals "new" SLC roadster

[Express]

Mercedes reveals "new" SLC roadster


SLK replacing two seater line-up headed by 270kW SLC43 AMG


16 December, 2015
Greg Kable





2016 Mercedes-AMG SLC43. Photo: Supplied






























Mercedes-AMG has resurrected the "43" model designation on a new range topping version of the facelifted third-generation SLK, which also adopts the SLC name as part of wholesale renaming strategy formally announced by the German car maker's head of marketing, Ola Kallenius, earlier this year.

Pictured here for the first time head of a planned public debut at January's 2016 Detroit motor show, the SLC43 replaces the SLK55 AMG as the most powerful model in the new five-strong line-up, which is due to see Australian showrooms by mid-2016.

Power for the heavily reworked rear-wheel drive roadster hails from the same twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine used by the C450 AMG Sport 4Matic.

With 270kW and 520Nm of torque, the longitudinally mounted unit delivers 40kW and 20Nm less than the naturally-aspirated 5.5-litre V8 petrol unit used by its predecessor. But while the SLK55 AMG developed its peak torque at 4500rpm, the SLC43's can be tapped at 2000rpm, suggesting the new model will offer more flexible properties than the car it replaces.

The SLK55 also used a seven-speed version of AMG's Speedshift automatic gearbox, while the SLC43 is fitted with Mercedes-Benz's latest nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission, which features five driving modes: comfort, sport, sport plus, eco and individual.

Official performance claims put the SLC43's 0-100km/h time at 4.7sec – 0.1sec slower than the SLK55, while top speed remains limited to 250km/h. The move the smaller capacity engine has brought about a 0.4L/100km improvement in combined cycle fuel economy at 7.8L/100km, providing the two-seat Porsche Boxster S rival with average CO2 emissions of 178g/km.

The "43" model designation was first used on the C43 AMG launched in 1997. Powered by a naturally aspirated 4.3-litre V8 petrol engine, the successor to today's C63 produced 225kW and 410Nm of torque, sufficient to provide the 1571kg saloon with a 0-100km/h time of 6.5sec and electronically governed 250km/h top speed.

Other changes introduced with the SLC include a new SLC180 entry level model. It runs a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine developing 115kW and 250Nm of torque.

The SLK200 replacing SLC200 also receives new engine, with the old turbocharged 1.8-litre unit replaced by a more contemporary 2.0-litre powerplant delivering the same 135kW as before but with an added 30Nm of torque at 300Nm.

The SLK250 is replaced by the SLC300, which uses a more highly tuned version of the SLC200's turbocharged 2.0-litre engine producing 180KW and 370Nm. No direct replacement for the SLK350 is catered for in the new line-up.

The sole diesel is the SLC250d. It uses a carry over version of the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder oil burner used by the SLK250 CDI, with output remaining the same at 150kW and 500Nm.

Both the SLC180 and SLC200 are fitted with a standard six-speed manual gearbox. All other models receive the nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox, which brings improvements in fuel economy and CO2 emissions across the line-up, including a headlining figure of 4.4L/100km and 114g/km for the SLC250d.

Among the styling changes brought to the SLC is a new front bumper with larger ducts for improved engine bay cooling, an altered grille featuring a Mercedes-Benz's diamond shaped insert – as found on the various models from the German car maker in recent times and revised headlamps with integrated LED daytime running lamps and fresh internal graphics. At the rear, there are new LED tail lamp graphics and a re-profiled bumper with integrated tailpipes and a more pronounced diffuser element.

Revisions to the operating procedure of the SLC's folding hardtop now allow you to open it without having to manually set the luggage cover in place. It also now operates at speeds up to 40km/h, allowing you to open and close it while setting off rather than at standstill, as with the older SLK. Buyers can continue to order the optional Magic Sky Control glass roof, which employs an electrochromatic process to vary the amount of light entering the cabin.

Inside, the SLC retains the same dashboard. However, it receives revised instruments, new trim applications, a larger 4.5 inch infotainment monitor and a new three-spoke steering wheel among other changes to the standard safety equipment, which now includes Active Brake Assist – a collision prevention system that carries out autonomous braking.

http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/m...15-gloip6.html

[Carrion]

Love Mercedes Roadsters

.

[RANGEREST]

I'm "tempted" to guess this is another piece of eurotrash.
But with the roof on I like it.

[outback_ute]

The front styling is too large for the rest of it

[99AUXR]

I have always found that with the SLK roadster.

[98TLS]

Never quite understood the roadster thing,whenever i see one its driven by a larger built bloke and usually slowly so as to not upset the comb-over,far better not to mention cheaper that they buy a Harley methinks but hey each to there own.

[Carrion]

Originally Posted by outback_ute

The front styling is too large for the rest of it

That's what makes it a Roadster.

[99AUXR]

Not the lengths but the front bumper/headlights.

[Carrion]

Originally Posted by 99AUXR

Not the lengths but the front bumper/headlights.

And that's what makes it a Mercedes, Lol.

[outback_ute]

The first gen was in proportion IMO, and the second not so bad either. At least it didn't get the, um, unfortunate shall we say, styling of the previous SL front end.