Mercedes is set to launch the facelifted SLK roadster in India on July 26, 2016. Rebadged as the SLC under the company’s new nomenclature system, the SLC will be launched in its current range-topping AMG SLC 43 spec.
The SLC 43 essentially a new name for the 450 AMG Sport series, forgoes the 5.5-litre naturally aspirated V8 motor of the Mercedes-AMG SLK55 for a smaller twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6. The new motor develops 367hp and 500Nm of torque and comes paired to the company’s new nine-speed automatic gearbox. Mercedes claims a 0-100kph sprint time of 4.7 seconds with the top speed restricted to 250kph.
The SLC gets a fresh front fascia with a new bumper, revised headlamps and tweaked headlamps with LED daytime running lamps. The side profile continues near unchanged from the SLK while the rear features a new exhaust, new bumper and reprofiled tail-lamps with LED detailing.
There are changes inside the cabin too with the most notable being a larger Comand system display, a new steering and instrument cluster, key-less go and revised trim inserts across the cabin. Additionally, the roof mechanism is now wholly automatic and doesn’t require the manual operation of the luggage cover.
As an AMG model, the SLC 43 will feature AMG sports seats, AMG steering and instrument cluster and a more aggressive body kit from the standard SLC along with tweaks to the chassis and suspension to improve performance.
The SLC will rival the likes of the BMW Z4 roadster when it goes on sale, though being an AMG model, pricing is expected to be at a premium. Mercedes is also expected to rebadged the GLE 450 AMG Coupe as the Mercedes-AMG GLE 43 under its new AMG badging system at a later stage.
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Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
