Benz SLK 001
Bruce Newton5 Nov 2015
NEWS

Mercedes-AMG SLC to go V6

Last naturally-aspirated AMG V8 to disappear when SLK replacement launches in January

The era of the full-bore V8 AMG version of Mercedes-Benz's SLK roadster will end when the hard-top convertible is updated and changes its name to SLC.

Instead the top rung AMG model in the facelifted SLC line-up, which is due to be unveiled at the Detroit auto show in January, will be powered by a twin-turbo V6 3.0-litre engine.

Teaser photography and information will start to be issued by Mercedes-AMG in December.

The change of name from SLK to SLC is being driven by Mercedes-Benz's new naming policy.

Currently the only naturally-aspirated engine left in the AMG line-up, the SLK 55's V8 displaces 5.5 litres and produces 310kW/550Nm. Its fate has been sealed by tightening emissions and fuel consumption regulations.

Mercedes-AMG chairman Tobias Moers promises the Affalterbach-fettled SLC will still deliver what is expected of the high performance brand, despite the loss of the hand-built V8 and most likely its tag as a fully-fledged AMG model.

"It's close, it's not far away, I think we show up with the car in Detroit," Moers said. "It's the sportiest and - regarding driving dynamics - agile SLK we ever made.

"It's a nice car."

The top AMG model in the SLC range is expected to be more powerful than the new AMG Sport line of models, such as the GLE 450 – which offers 270kW/520Nm from the 3.0 twin turbo – but not top the power output of the current SLK 55.

While willing to concede some details, Moers wouldn't give too much away about how this car would fit into the range. But he seemed to be suggesting a two-tier V6 approach, with an equivalent to the AMG Sport 450 as well as a new higher tune of the same 3.0-litre V6 mass-produced engine, which would add a new niche into the AMG line-up.

"It's not a dedicated engine," he said of the new range topper. "It's more part of the AMG family than the sport models as of today are.

"So we are going to change something, let's wait and see."

In line with that change, Moers made clear the top SLC version would be cheaper than the current SLK 55, which is priced at $162,010 in Australia.

"It's all about regarding reasonable or fair value for the price," he said. "We move down with the price, but we provide more value than ever."

Chopping two cylinders from the SLC harks back to the start of AMG's history with the SLK. In 2001 the first generation SLK 32 AMG was powered by a 260kW 3.2-litre supercharged V6. The second generation swapped to a 265kW naturally-aspirated 5.4-litre V8 from 2005.

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