Friday 13th June 2003

SL55 Performance Pack

Like it needs it!? SL55 gets better cooling, brakes and suspension for enthusiastic drivers

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Mercedes AMG has further developed the SL55 with some features originally developed for the SL55 FIA Safety car used in F1 racing.

The SL 55 AMG Performance Package include an extensive range of revisions to its body, engine cooling system, brakes and suspension. The design of the new front apron, which dominates the nose of the vehicle is similar to that used on the Safety Car. Larger cooling-air intakes and an additional engine-oil cooler ensure that the AMG V8 super-charged 500bhp engine stays cool.

For optimum braking performance, sensitivity and resistance to fading, the front wheels of the SL 55 AMG Performance Package includes a composite steel brake system. Measuring 380 mm in diameter (up 20mm on the standard brakes), the internally ventilated and perforated grey cast-iron discs feature floating callipers and have a greater thermal capability. All the dynamic handling systems associated with the electrohydraulic Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) system have been optimised for the new brake system.

The Mercedes-AMG engineers based the new chassis configuration on the set-up used by official FIA Safety Car driver Bernd Mayländer on all the F1 Grand Prix circuits. New springs and dampers have been used together with multi-piece 19-inch AMG twin-spoke wheels. 255/35 ZR 19 tyres are fitted to the 8.5 x 19-inch front wheels while the 9.5 x 19-inch rear wheels are equipped with 285/30 ZR 19 tyres.

No details of pricing or availability are available at this time.

[danmangt40]

I thought carbon brakes were available for the SL55...guess this is a cheaper option?

[james]

And if that isn't enough. Brabus do the SL55 K8, with 550 BHP

[JonRB]

I saw an SL55 AMG this evening. See here.