Mercedes-Benz Launches The New SLC43 AMG At Rs 77.5 lakh

Mercedes-Benz’s AMG division seems to have its hands full nowadays. They seem to be taking everything that Mercedes makes and plonking a bigger engine in it. After the GLE450 AMG Coupe which was launched back in January, the latest car to get the AMG treatment is the SLK 55 replacement, the SLC43 AMG. The two-seater sports car has been launched at a price tag of Rs 77.5 ex-showroom Delhi and is the AMG-tuned version of the SLC hard-top convertible which was launched internationally in March 2016.

The 'SL' denotes roadsters hardtop/convertibles and 'C' refers to class it’s based on; in this case, the C-Class sedan. The SLC43 will be imported as a completely built unit (CBU). The exterior design has more of the company's new softer design theme - the bullish looks of the SLK55 are gone. The cabin is familiar yet different from the erstwhile version. The COMAND system is still very much in place but the cabin now gets an upgraded trim along with a flat-bottom steering wheel.

Underneath, the SLC43 is a completely different animal compared to the SLK 55 it replaces. A 3.0-litre, twin-turbocharged, V6 motor replaces the 5.5-litre, naturally aspirated V8. The SLC43 gets a fast-shifting 9-speed automatic gearbox, replacing the 7-speed automatic offered on the SLK 55 - the power, though, is still sent to the rear wheels. Also, AMG has decided that 421PS was way too much power so now it develops 367PS of peak power and 520Nm of peak torque. However, the SLC43 is lighter; 0-100kmph takes 4.7 seconds - which is only 0.2 seconds slower. The biggest advantage of the SLC according to Mercedes is the way it handles. It isn’t front heavy anymore neither does it roll as much and all this is down to the 90kg reduction in weight. The Mercedes-AMG SLC43 also gets adjustable suspension and adjustable ride modes - which can transform it from a very fast convertible to a hairfall-inducing beast that doesn't mind being thrown into corners. The SLC43 also claims to be very economical (12.8kmpl!) and emits much lesser pollutants. The hard-top roof can be deployed or stowed away at speeds of up to 40kmph at the press of a button. The main competition to the SLC will be the BMW Z4 roadster and the new Porsche Boxster.