Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 launch on July 26

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the SLK, Mercedes-Benz officially unveiled an update to the current generation model at the Detroit Motor Show earlier this year. Like other recent offerings from the Stuttgart-based car maker, this one too will follow the company’s new naming nomenclature and will be called the SLC. Less than a year after its official unveil, the three-pointed star is set to bring in the first model in this range on July 26, and that too in the top-of-the-line SLC 43 avatar. 

The SLC 43 ditches the 5.5-litre naturally aspirated V8 mill to make way for a smaller 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 unit. This new motor pumps 367 horses and makes 500Nm of torque. All the power is sent to the rear wheels with the help of Mercedes-Benz’s new 9G-Tronic sports transmission. Although the SLC 43 makes about 54PS less than the model it replaces, it does the 0-100kmph dash in just 0.1 seconds slower. Top speed however, on the SLC too remains restricted at 250kmph. 

As far as the design is concerned, the SLC gets a fresh face up front with the pulled back headlamps with LED Daytime Running Lamps and the A-Class like diamond grille. The bumper houses large air intakes that further adds to the sporty nature of the car. At the back too, the SLC gets minor cosmetic updates thanks to a remoulded bumper, new exhaust and new LED taillights. In profile though, the SLC remains largely unchanged from its predecessor. 

The interior too has been reworked with new steering wheel, a larger display in the centre console and some additional features. Of course, the SLC 43 will come with AMG sport seats and several AMG specific additions to do justice to the moniker. Expect the SLC 43 to be launched at a premium price thanks to its performance DNA.