- Mercedes-Benz launches the high-performance edition of the third-generation SLK.
- A 415-horsepower 5.5-liter AMG V8 makes this "the most powerful SLK of all time."
- The SLK55 AMG arrives at U.S. dealers in early 2012.
MONTVALE, New Jersey — The latest addition to the third-generation SLK family — the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG — arrives at U.S. dealers in early 2012.
The SLK55 AMG is powered by a new naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V8 that delivers 415 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque, making this "the most powerful SLK of all time," the automaker says.
The direct-injection gasoline V8, which is based on the twin-turbo unit that powers several of its AMG siblings, sends power to the rear wheels through an AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission. Mercedes quotes a 0-60 acceleration time of 4.5 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.
To enhance fuel economy, the engine also features a stop-start system and a cylinder-shutoff system that enables the V8 to operate under partial throttle on only four cylinders.
As you would expect from a car bearing the AMG insignia, this exclusive edition of the SLK gets a raft of sporting hardware, notably an AMG-tuned suspension, performance brakes with torque vectoring, sport exhaust with twin chrome tailpipes, and exclusive alloy wheels. An optional AMG Handling package provides stiffer suspension setting, a rear diff lock, two-piece front brake discs and a fancier AMG steering wheel.
An AMG body kit includes a new front apron with larger air intakes and LED running lights, dark-lens headlamps, side vents with chrome-plated fins, side sills, rear lip spoiler and rear apron with a black diffuser.
The SLK55 comes with a choice of three roof treatments, including the standard retractable hardtop, a panoramic roof panel in tinted polycarbonate and a new panoramic roof with the company's Magic Sky Control, which darkens or lightens the panel at the touch of a button.
AMG hasn't neglected the cabin, which features premium leather sport seats, an AMG instrument cluster and an AMG performance steering wheel with flattened top and bottom, perforated-leather grips and aluminum shift paddles.
Inside Line says: The ultimate SLK. Expect the usual AMG price premium when this one hits the street early next year.
Add A Comment »
lolxd says:
08:04 AM, 08/23/2011
An expensive shoe on steroids
I like it
modestlyfrugal says:
02:37 PM, 08/22/2011
FAWK!! I LUV IT!!!
jeremy_c says:
12:26 PM, 08/22/2011
"@danwilson: Last, there are TOP ENGINEERS working at Mercedes/AMG. WHO THE F___ ARE YOU (YES, YOU, THE GUY RANTING ON ABOUT HOW THE ENGINEERS AT EVERY CAR COMPANY OUT THERE CAN'T TUNE ENGINES BLA BLA BLA...)?"
Who are we to criticize the almighty MB engineers? WE are the CONSUMERS. Remember, the ones who dish out our hard earned cash to BUY these products. We are the BOSSES of these car engineers who work to make a product that we will LIKE and BUY. Without someone to buy their products they will go BANKRUPT like Saab. The market determines how much something is worth, not some perfectionist engineers.
Funny how these same MB engineers and MB who are so bent on their principles are now eagerly sucking up to the Chinese market by adding all sorts of cheesy stuff to the limited editions meant for the Chinese market.
cjasis says:
08:09 AM, 08/22/2011
Love the interior.
Love the spec's.
I wonder how much it will costs and if it will continue to play second fiddle to the likes of the Boxster S.
But I have to ask... am I the only one that doesn't find the exterior attractive? It's not ugly but it's certainly not pretty either.
roscoe108 says:
06:43 AM, 08/22/2011
@danwilson1:
Thank you for your comment. Well said. I also like how these so-called enthusiasts usually can't even spell properly, much less apply analysis to a carmaker's rationale. "Mor then 415 hp would b grate!"
Yeah, I'm sure it f**k-diddly would be. Moron.
danwilson1 says:
06:36 PM, 08/21/2011
The fact that so many "car enthusiasts" here are commenting on "only 415-horsepower out of a 5.5-l engine" shows us how car enthusiastic or knowledgeable these guys really are. They're actually clueless. They think every engine has to have the hell tuned out of it: as much horsepower as is possible has to be extracted from every single friggin engine out there on the market.
A Volkswagen Up! 1.0 needs at least 100-hp. Yep, the magical 100-hp/liter mark, the benchmark for how good or how terrible an engine is - in the minds of these car enthu...excuse me, kids. Yes, kids. Silly little kids who know jack.
Let's examine the new SLK AMG, shall we?
First off, 415-horsepower is a lot of power.
Second, the engine produces gobs of torque.
Third, there's an efficient transmission effectively handling all that power.
Fourth, the SLK is a pretty compact and "light" car (by todays standards) with a sports-tuned suspension.
Last, there are TOP ENGINEERS working at Mercedes/AMG. WHO THE F___ ARE YOU (YES, YOU, THE GUY RANTING ON ABOUT HOW THE ENGINEERS AT EVERY CAR COMPANY OUT THERE CAN'T TUNE ENGINES BLA BLA BLA...)?
All in all this tells me that this is a serious and capable performance car. Don't forget that a car has to be BALANCED and OPTIMIZED for performance.
thedream21479 says:
01:40 PM, 08/21/2011
Dang looks like a mini-SLS...love it, and it looks like something a man could drive. It looks especially good with the top up. Nice work Mercedes!
danmw says:
11:10 AM, 08/21/2011
I totally agree with burnouts!
Since the SLK is a somewhat affordable Benz-Convertible, its 5.5L version is just downtuned.
People will never learn.....
burnoutsaregay says:
09:52 AM, 08/21/2011
kosmo69 says:
> just 415hp from 5.5L?
dmpete says:
> I agree w/ Kosmos, you would think that a company that spends
> a million dollars a day on R&D, could come up w/ more than 415hp
> out of 5.5L. Hell, ford made 412 out of a 5.0L.
I like when people of the Internet think they know better than Mercedes. And they claim it without spending even a second on thinking why the company did what they did.
And the reason is very simple: cutting unnecessary spendings. What's the point of designing a whole new engine for the lower output application if it can be done by deleting the turbochargers from the powerful one?
Audi did similar tricks for years. They used basically the same 4.2 V8, modifying and tuning it all the time, with very good results. Being so good at engine building, they kept up or overtook the competition while dramatically increasing return on investment.
dmpete says:
04:42 AM, 08/21/2011
I agree w/ Kosmos, you would think that a company that spends a million dollars a day on R&D, could come up w/ more than 415hp out of 5.5L. Hell, ford made 412 out of a 5.0L.