The new Mercedes-Benz SLC compact roadster has now been officially revealed, following yesterday’s fully lit spy images that revealed all. Apart from a slight twist to the SLK name, the new SLC brings in a comprehensive face-lift, updated engines and two new additions to the model line-up – the sporty top-of-the-line Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 and the entry-level SLC 180.
In visual terms, the new front section features the standard-fit diamond radiator grille, flanked by LED headlamps which are an optional extra. The sides continue mostly unchanged, apart from the addition of a fresh set of 16 to 18-inch light-alloy wheels. At the back, the new rear bumper features a black diffuser, chrome touches and integral tailpipe trim, while the tail light units, which now have a narrower design, feature LED technology and are divided horizontally. The boot lid has a pronounced arrow shape and the third brake light is now positioned in the spoiler lip.
The SLC’s electro-hydraulic hardtop can now be opened or closed up to a speed of approx. 40 km/h, while heated seats and AIRSCARF, the neck-level heating system for the driver and front passenger ensure a pleasant open-top motoring experience. The new SLC also features a panoramic vario-roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL – this glass roof is lightened or darkened at the touch of a button. The SLC’s boot, at 335 litres has the highest capacity in this segment, according to Mercedes-Benz.
Highlights of the SLC’s updated interior include new light (standard) or dark aluminium trim parts with a carbon fibre finish. The instrument cluster has a new design too, and features two tubular instrument surrounds with black dials and red needles. A multifunction, colour TFT display with a screen diagonal of 4.5 inches (11.4 cm) is incorporated between the two dials as standard. An analogue clock with a black dial is available as an option.
The display between the two ventilation outlets in the centre console has now grown, measuring a diagonal of 7 inches (17.8 cm) instead of 5.8 inches (14.7 cm). The screen surround is in high-gloss black. There’s also a new-generation sports steering wheel, perforated as standard in the grip area, and a new DIRECT SELECT lever, embossed with SLC. A new 3-spoke multifunction steering wheel in nappa leather/DINAMICA microfibre is available as an option.
The leather appointments have also been revised, with the application of something called “sun-reflecting leather upholstery”. Two new leather colours have also been added, while the ambient lighting (optional extra) comes in solar red, polar blue and polar white. The Audio 20 CD entertainment system also gets updated, and the COMAND Online infotainment system gets new features. Also on the offing is a Harman Kardon Logic 7 Surround Sound system.
As for drive-train updates, the new entry-level model is the SLC 180 with an output of 156 hp. Positioned above this are the SLC 200 with an output of 184 hp and the SLC 300 with 245 hp, both of which feature a 1991 cc four-cylinder engine. The SLC 180 and SLC 200 are fitted with a 6-speed manual transmission. The 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission is available for these models as an option and fitted as standard in the SLC 250 d, and the SLC 300.
Replacing the V8 powered SLK 55 is the new Mercedes-AMG SLC 43, which now employs a 3.0-litre V6 biturbo engine good for 367 hp and 520 Nm. Power is sent to the rear wheels via the standard 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission and a mechanically controlled AMG limited-slip differential, allowing the SLC 43 to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds. The SLC 43 rides on a modified version of the AMG sports suspension from the Mercedes-AMG SLK 55, while featuring an AMG Sport exhaust system as standard and uses the two adjustable exhaust flaps to adapt the sound to the mode selected via DYNAMIC SELECT.
DYNAMIC SELECT, a standard feature in the SLC 300, SLC 250 d and of course, the SLC 43, allows the vehicle characteristics to be adjusted instantly at the touch of a button, as the system modifies the engine, transmission, steering and suspension at the driver’s behest. The five modes – “Comfort”, “Sport”, “Sport+”, “Eco” and “Individual” can be selected using the DYNAMIC SELECT button in the upper control panel on the dashboard console. Then there’s also the Dynamic Handling package (optional extra), which features a 10 mm lower chassis, and an adaptive damping system, where the damping force at each individual wheel is automatically and continuously adapted to the current driving conditions.
Prices will be announced when the SLC is available to order in mid-January 2016, with first cars arriving in showrooms from April 2016.
The new model line-up at a glance:
| SLC 180 | SLC 200 | SLC 300 | SLC 250 d | SLC 43 | |
| Number of cylinders/arrangement | 4/in-line | 4/in-line | 4/in-line | 4/in-line | 6/V |
| Displacement (cc) | 1595 | 1991 | 1991 | 2143 | 2996 |
| Rated output (kW/hp at rpm) |
115/156 at 5300 | 135/184 at 5500 | 180/245 at 5500 | 150/204 at 3800 |
270/367 at 5500-6000 |
| Rated torque (Nm at rpm) |
250 at 1200-4000 | 300 at 1200-4000 | 370 at 1300-4000 | 500 at 1600-1800 | 520 at 2000-4200 |
| Combined fuel consumption from (l/100 km) |
5.6 (5.6) | 6.1 (5.7) | (5.8) | (4.4) | (7.8) |
| Combined CO2 emissions from (g/km) |
127 (128) | 142 (133) | (134) | (114) | (178) |
| Efficiency class | B (B) | C (B) | (B) | (A) | (D) |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h (s) |
7.9 (8.1) | 7.0 (6.9) | (5.8) | (6.6) | (4.7) |
| Top speed (km/h) | 226 (223) | 240 (237) | (250) | (245) | (250) |
In brackets: figures for version with 9G-TRONIC.
The Mercedes-AMG SLC 43
| Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 | |
| Engine | V6 biturbo |
| Displacement | 2996 cc |
| Output | 270 kW (367 hp) at 5500-6000 rpm |
| Peak torque | 520 Nm at 2000-4200 rpm |
| Fuel consumption, NEDC combined | 7.8 l/100 km |
| CO2 emissions | 178 g/km |
| Efficiency class | D |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h | 4.7 s |
| Top speed | 250 km/h* |
* Electronically limited
The highlights
- 3.0-litre V6 biturbo engine with AMG-specific engine management and increased charge-air pressure
- 9G-TRONIC sports transmission with double-declutching function on downshifts and thrillingly short response times in the Sport + transmission mode or in manual gearshift mode
- Specially developed front and rear axles with new elastokinematics
- Stiffer mountings for engine and rear-axle gear unit
- High-performance braking system with larger brake discs
- AMG design with specific front and rear aprons, exhaust tailpipes and wheel arch covers integrated into rear wheel arch trims
- Diamond radiator grille in chrome with louvre in high-gloss black
- 18-inch AMG multi-spoke light-alloy wheels, painted in high-gloss black with high-sheen
- Instrument cluster in chequered flag design with 280 km/h scale
- Multifunction sports steering wheel in nappa leather with perforations in grip area, flattened bottom section, with red contrasting topstitching
- Upholstery in black nappa leather / DINAMICA microfibre with sports seat upholstery layout and red piping and topstitching, with model-specific door centre panel
The key options
- Handling package with mechanical limited-slip differential on rear axle
- AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension with adaptive adjustable damping
- Night package with front splitter and trim strip in diffuser in high-gloss black as well as black chrome-plated exhaust tailpipes
- Performance steering wheel in black nappa leather/DINAMICA microfibre, with flattened bottom section, red contrasting topstitching and red 12 o’clock marking
