Mercedes readies 911 rival

Mercedes will launch a new Porsche 911-rivaling model to its lineup, the SLC AMG. This car will be launched globally in 2014.

At around 4500mm long, the new sportscar will be notably shorter than the SLS AMG, but will be powered by a 5.5-litre V8 motor, with around 420bhp as standard.

The transmission will be a reworked version of the SLS’s six-speed, dual-clutch transaxle gearbox, equipped with a lighter aluminium housing and revised electronics for quicker shifts.

The SLC AMG will be joined by a fabric-roofed roadster variant in 2016. Like the flagship SLS, the smaller car features a cab-back silhouette, with an elongated nose and wide tracks.