Well this is good timing from Mercedes. Just as Porsche announces there will no longer be a
six-cylinder Boxster
, up pops Merc announcing that the
AMG SLC43
will be cheaper, more powerful and emit just 11 grams per kilometre more than a Boxster S PDK.
Cheaper and more powerful than a Boxster S...
The full details for the range-topping SLC are as follows: the 367hp and 383lb ft we knew about, the £46,355 price and 178g/km now confirmed. It will be available only with the 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox (remember a PDK will cost you £2,000 on the Porsche) and it comes as standard with an AMG wheel, AMG sports suspension, an AMG Handling Package (with limited-slip diff) and an "AMG high-performance braking system". Just in case there was any doubt of it being an Affalterbach product.
Elsewhere in the range, the SLC200 starts at £30,495, clearly aimed at the 2.0 TFSI TT Roadster. There's also a 250d with 204hp from £32,995 and the 245hp SLC300 from £39,385. If you want six cylinder it will have to be an AMG then...
Options on all models include LED lights, keyless go and the nine-speed auto on the SLC200 and 250d models. Expect deliveries to commence soon after the Geneva show. Will that twin-turbo V6 be enough to bring buyers over from Porsche? Could we finally have a small Mercedes roadster that betters its Porsche equivalent? We'll find out soon!