Tuesday 13th September 2011

Frankfurt: Mercedes SLK55 AMG

Big V8 plus teeny-tiny SLK equals yes please...

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This isn't the first time Mercedes has squeezed a massive engine into the tiny SLK - the last generation received the same treatment. Attempt number two has resulted in, naturally, more power. The last generation's 360hp has turned into 422hp and the 0-62mph time has fallen three tenths to 4.6 seconds.

Despite having a more powerful motor the new SLK55 AMG is (comparatively) better for the environment than a BMW Z4 sDrive35i. The Merc emits 195g/km CO2, while the BMW squirts out 219g/km... Combined fuel economy is up to 33.6mpg (if you drive like an NEDC test driver), the BMW manages a 30.1. And it's slower.

The engine is a de-turbo'd evolution of the same 5.5-litre V8 found in the E63 AMG, CLS63 AMG and others. It comes with a start/stop function for town driving, which is handy. The SLK55 AMG also benefits from a cylinder shut off system, which sees cylinder two, three, five and eight deactivated while the car is under partial load. It's technology Mercedes tried some years back on the CL coupe but is even more relevant now.

Who cares about partial load though. Give the SLK55 the beans and you'll be rewarded with a dose more noise as flaps in the exhaust open up to release more of that V8 goodness. Will this be the first truly PH-worthy SLK? Perhaps the fact AMG has fitted it with a traditional auto, albeit seven-speed, rather than the faster-shifting MCT transmission from the facelifted C63 doesn't bode especially well.

[Frimley111R]

The front of it still has that hideous grille though.

[E21_Ross]

some pretty impressive figures there but i'm not so sure on the looks, looks like it's trying a little too hard and not well rounded in my personal opinion. that paint doesn't work either!

[JohnG1]

The MCT box in the SL63 AMG is agricultural when compared to the PDK box in the 911. So a full slush box will suck...

[thewheelman]

Pretty ugly, the played out white with black wheels doesn't help its cause. Maybe a deep blue or red & some gunmetal coloured wheels would do the styling more favours. I would p/shop if i knew how to do it....but i don't.

[spiritof'76]

Prefer the pointy nose of the previous shape

[LuS1fer]

My, that's unattractive.

[NotKenBlock]

So let me get this right?

400+ Bhp
30+ mpg
Under 200 CO2's

Small RWD coupe / convertible

Sounds perfect to me!

Admittedly, the looks are a bit marmite, but then.. i like marmite

[Twoshoe]

Can we have a new 'in' colour please? Am getting a bit sick of white!

[CooperS]

Twoshoe said:

Can we have a new 'in' colour please? Am getting a bit sick of white!

Hang on this looks like matt white so is pretty different to shiny white

[SteveS Cup]

I think it looks incredible! It's going to sound amazing and by the figures... go pretty well!

[d6o6n6g]

NotKenBlock said:

Admittedly, the looks are a bit marmite, but then.. i like marmite

Same here i also like marmite!

[kambites]

I think the squarer bumper hides the rather sticky-outy grill better than on the standard car. It's not a beautiful car, but than neither are the Z4 or Boxster. Nice to see Mercedes persisting with a stupidly large engine, too, although I rather suspect the gearbox will ruin the fun again like it did in the last one.

Interesting to see Mercedes managing to out-do BMW on the emissions tests. I suspect this'll be a new contender for the "gets furthest from its official fuel consumption figures" crown. What do we reckon realistically... 20mpg if driven sensibly?

Edited by kambites on Tuesday 13th September 13:51

[E21_Ross]

kambites said:

I think the squarer bumper hides the rather sticky-outy grill better than on the standard car. It's not a beautiful car, but than neither are the Z4 or Boxster. Nice to see Mercedes persisting with a stupidly large engine, too, although I rather suspect the gearbox will ruin the fun again like it did in the last one.

Interesting to see Mercedes managing to out-do BMW on the emissions tests. I suspect this'll be a new contender for the "gets furthest from its official fuel consumption figures" crown. What do we reckon realistically... 20mpg if driven sensibly?

Edited by kambites on Tuesday 13th September 13:51

i wish BMW would do a solid roof/coupe Z4 M. if CO2 matters/bhp then the new M5 does beat this as it comes in at 0.413g/km per bhp, this is 0.462 so that's 10% difference. either way i couldn't care less as long as it drives well

[g4ry13]

I like it. It would look better in black, but I like the front - very SLS.

[Guvernator]

Wow, never thought I'd say this but this is the first SLK I'd actually desire to own without being the owner of a hair styling establishment.

[Fahd]

g4ry13 said:

I like it. It would look better in black, but I like the front - very SLS.

Agreed, it looks pretty fantastic to me.

[kambites]

E21_Ross said:

i wish BMW would do a solid roof/coupe Z4 M.

I think a few people on here wish the same. I suspect that they wont, though; 90% of buyers would see no advantage over the CC.

[GroundEffect]

Dammit, another Mercedes sports car spoiled by the gearbox.

[amirh94]

Why don't they fit it with a manual instead of an auto?

[kambites]

amirh94 said:

Why don't they fit it with a manual instead of an auto?

I'd guess they don't have a manual that can take the torque?

And anyway, manual gearboxes in sports cars are fast becoming a thing of the past.