Wednesday 2nd March 2011
New SLK and C Coupe Revealed By M-B
But they're saving hardcore AMG versions for later...
Mercedes Benz has these two debuts on its Geneva stand: the C Class Coupe and the third generation SLK, although we'll have to wait a bit longer for the AMG versions to come through.
The Coupe effectively replaces the old CLK, filling the gap in the market as the E-class has grown with each incarnation. It's pitched squarely at three series coupe buyers, so BMW - and Audi for that matter - must be worried that Mercedes is finally fielding some genuine competition in this executive heartland.
Five engines are initially available: two turbo diesels up to 204bhp (C250CDI) and three petrols - a pair of 1.8 turbo engines and the 306bhp V6.
The SLK continues the trend started with the previous car in moving the baby Merc away from the effeminate image of the original. It's an aggressive little machine, with design cues from the SLS as well as Mercedes' back catalogue. Three engines are available from launch: a pair of 1.8 Turbo engines in the SLK200 and 250, and the grunty 3.5-litre V6 in the SLK 350.
But the SLK still has some priorities away from what we might consider a sports car's core values: consider the new stand-out feature, the 'Magic Sky' roof system that turns the optional panoramic glass roof from dark to light at the touch of a button...
And what of those AMG variants? Expect them to use a new 5.5-litre V8, essentially the new bi turbo motor from the S63 and CLS 63 minus the turbos.
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soad
Original Poster
15,867 posts
45 months
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Some choice then. And the good old AMG to come too
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iantek
175 posts
52 months
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Looks real good! Can't wait to be tempted by one in ten to fifteen years.
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RobM77
23,014 posts
103 months
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I wonder if AMG will do a 5.5 litre V8 version with less power and without the turbos? I've yet to try the turbocharged AMG V8, but one of the things I always liked about AMGs was the big capacity normally aspirated engines.
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forzaminardi
866 posts
56 months
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What is it with Merc and ridiculously prominent noses of late? OK on a C class and even a SL and SLS which have the scale to get away with it, but on a SLK/CLK?
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va1o
11,547 posts
76 months
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Look very awesome 
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FrankCayman
848 posts
82 months
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What terrible pictures - you can't make anything out from these...
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k-ink
4,599 posts
48 months
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They have grafted the new manly face on the old girly SLK's backside. When they get around to redesigning the other half let us know...
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vintageracer01
855 posts
44 months
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bobberz
1,211 posts
68 months
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I disagree with some on here. I quite like the new SLK- it now looks properly like a mini SL. And an AMG version with a big naturally aspirated V8? What's not to love?
They just better call it an SLK 55 none of this , "well the S63 used to actually be 6.2 litres, but now it's actually 5.5l, but we still call it a 63" nonsense.
One gripe with this article: seriously, only one pic of the new C-coupe? C'mon PH, if they're going to produce the rumoured "Black Series" on it, I'd at least like to see what the standard one looks like! After all, it's not every day M-B comes out with a properly new model.
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