Early SLS sketch - we needed a picture...
we told you about in 2009
is moving closer to reality - latest reports say Merc has attributed the name SLC to the Porsche 911-rivalling project, and that insiders have confirmed it will use an aluminium chassis structure related to that used in the SLS itself.
Back then we reported that the SLS undercarriage had a bit of wasted space under its lengthy bonnet that could be handily chopped out to make a smaller sibling (Easy this engineering lark, 'ain't it? Ed.), and Autocar has added a bit of corroborative info in a story online today.
They've got an M-B source who reckons the new SLC's looks are being fettled as we speak by a group of in-house designers at Sindelfingen, and that 'contemporary retro' is the theme. (We can only hope that 'contemporary retro' doesn't mean something like this.) They reckon the new car will be launched in 2014 and cost upwards from £75k.
Autocar also reckons power for the new SLC will be a naturally aspirated version of AMG's latest 5.5 litre unit mated to the SLS's transaxle gearbox. That's a bit less capacity than we thought 18 months ago when our AMG source suggested 'something between 5.8 and 6.2 litres'. Oh well, we're pretty sure we'll like it anyway...
 In the firing line... |
 ...and a reason why SLC is a good name! |
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