Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the facelifted version of the SLK roadster, the SLC. Rebadged as per the German automaker’s new nomenclature system, the SLC gets revised styling inside and out along with mechanical changes that will be applied across the range. A new entry-level model will also be launched.
On the styling front, the SLC sports a new front bumper with larger air vents to provide improved cooling. The headlamps have also been revised, featuring new detailing and LED daytime running lights. The grille on the SLC is new and comes with Mercedes’ diamond design inserts. At the rear, there is a re-profiled bumper with integrated exhausts. Also seen are restyled tail-lamps with new LED detailing.
In the cabin, the dashboard unit is the same as on the older SLK, but now gets a larger 4.0-inch infotainment display, new three-spoke steering, revised instruments and new trim inserts. Mercedes has also revamped the roof opening and closing mechanism on the hard-top roadster. Now, it doesn’t require the owner to manually set the luggage cover before opening the roof. In addition, the mechanism can be operated at speeds of up to 40kph.
Mechanically, the car comes with new and updated engines in its entire line-up. The new entry-level SLC 180 is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol motor developing 154bhp and 25.44kgm of torque. The SLC 200, the replacement for the SLK 200, is powered by a new 2.0-litre turbocharged unit that develops 181bhp – the same as the SLK 200's 1.8-litre engine – and 30.55kgm of torque, which is 3kgm more than the outgoing engine's output.
The SLK 250 is replaced by the SLC 300 and uses a more powerful version of the SLC 200’s motor which is now capable of making 242bhp and 37.74kgm of torque. The SLK 350 gets no direct replacement. The diesel SLK 250 CDI is replaced by the SLC 250 d, and uses the same 201bhp 2.0-litre diesel motor from the older car.
In the high-performance category, the SLK 55 AMG makes way for the new Mercedes-AMG SLC 43. The 5.5-litre naturally aspirated V8 from the older car is replaced by a less powerful twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 that churns out 362bhp and 51.02kgm of torque – a decrease of 53bhp and 1.94kgm. As per Mercedes' claims, the new AMG SLC 43 is 0.1 seconds slower than its predecessor but retains the electronically limited top speed of 250kph.
The SLC 180 and 200 come equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard while the other models in the line-up, including the AMG SLC 43, use a nine-speed automatic gearbox.
The SLC will make its public debut at the Detroit motor show in January 2016 alongside the next-gen E-class before going on sale internationally.
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