Vs Mercedes SLK 55 AMG VS. Jaguar F-Type V6 S

[Rainer271]

Mercedes SLK 55 AMG Takes on Jaguar F-Type V6 S in Head 2 Head

Here at autoevolution, we are huge fans of the Jaguar F-Type, not for objective reasons, but purely because it's packed with a sort of… sense of occasion. However, Mercedes has been offering a very competent little speed machine for quite some time now. Maybe it's high time we stopped admiring the Brit and reexamine the R172 SLK 55 AMG.

Jaguar has managed to eclipse pretty much everything else on the market right now. But does that mean the SLK is yesterday's news, to be tossed aside like used socks?

No, far from it, in fact. Launched in 2012, the current generation SLK 55 AMG provides lots of thrills though a new, naturally aspirated, direct-injection version of AMG’s 5.5-liter V8, and as we all know, there's no replacement for displacement, not even a supercharger attached to a 3-liter V6.

The F-Type V6 S is a prettier car, thanks in part to the E-Type heritage and to the work of Ian Callum. But as Motor Trend points out in their latest Head 2 Head, it's actually slower to 60 mph (4.4 seconds compared to 4.2 seconds for the AMG) and over the quarter mile. Around the figure-8 course, the two machines are pretty much identical.

As a base model, the Affalterbach-powered roadster is actually cheaper in America than an F-Type V6 S, comparable to the underpowered 335-hp F-Type V6. Being a Mercedes, it will also hold onto its value quite well and thanks to cylinder deactivation tech, it's also economical… for a big V8.

That about sums up what's going on with the SLK 55 AMG: it's a German luxury car that's cheaper than its British rival. It's also got a bigger engine and is a little faster. So what if a couple of corners were cut?

But if you want lots of power in a convertible sportscar, what's wrong with the Chevy Corvette Stingray? Surely, its 6.2-liter V8 is sonorous and exciting enough. That's certainly true, but a Mercedes will always come with a certain level of refinement, a certain quality that's both timeless and contemporary.

Once all the hype around the new C7 and the Jag boils down to a simmer, you'll still be driving a Mercedes car that you can comfortably cruise in and hold onto for many more years, knowing Mercedes build quality.


Mercedes SLK 55 AMG Takes on Jaguar F-Type V6 S in Head 2 Head

 

[Deckhook]

You've got to love that F-Type.

 

[ThroughandThrough]

If I hear that English plastic crackle one more time...

 

[Cashmere]

Even thought the AMG might be faster and have a folable hard top, but it's the Jag that has oodles of character while the SLK seems to be suffering from an identity crisis. Jag any day.

 

[martinbo]

For that amount of money? Neither. Boxster S for me please.

 

[Bucketslash11]

Even thought the AMG might be faster and have a folable hard top, but it's the Jag that has oodles of character while the SLK seems to be suffering from an identity crisis. Jag any day.

after what i've heard from reviewers the SLK a bit like the SC430, too soft to be a proper sports car and too stiff to be a long distance cruiser

F-type any day

 

[Deckhook]

The SLK has one of the shittiest interiors ever, not only does it look crap but it creaks and moans like 20 stone woman on an old rocking chair. The F-Type is in another league by comparison and that's before we even discuss the sound it makes.

 

[GTA45E]

The F-Type is in another league by comparison.

With the interior?
enlighten me. I`m not a huge fan of either one but it appears the Mercedes is more ergonomic and user friendly with the placement of
controls. Even the AC vents look better. The body of the Jag looks good but it`s interior is on the utter dull side imo, even compared to the SLK.
That is my opinion. Maby you can fill me on what is so exciting about the Jag interior.

 

[ThroughandThrough]

The Jag's interior isn't that much more exciting than the new Stingray. What a shame.

 

[Deckhook]

^^For a start its interior is silent, no creaks, rattles or moans. Looks is a subjective thing I know but every time I drove the brother's when he had it I found it one of the most boring of places to sit in. The only excitement on offer was the red seatbelts, wow how excited was I.

 

[Zafiro]

Who gives a shit about interior! it should have a steering wheel, drive good and a good stero soundsystem and its all good! LOL

 

[Deckhook]

Who gives a shit about interior! it should have a steering wheel, drive good and a good stero soundsystem and its all good! LOL

^That's a youthful lookout on things, example: as a teen/young adult your house is only somewhere to sleep/eat and spend time either gaming or watching TV so you'll pick a comfy bed, have the latest gaming console and a kick ass TV everything else is secondary where as a more mature house owner will want the nicely decorated garden, the lovely furniture, the quality kitchen, etc, etc.

There's no right or wrong here only differences of opinion.

 

[JHF]

The Jag for me. Sounds better and looks better as well.

 

[GTA45E]

The Jag's interior isn't that much more exciting than the new Stingray. What a shame.

- Agreed, fact is the F-Type interior looks like sh!t. I don`t care what any fanboy says.
The AC vents and center console switch gear could easily fit on some of the newer Vacuum cleaners and some of the latest household suction cleaning products I have seen. The shapes used on the dash are generic, lazy, outdated and utterly lacks class. The dash design theme has been used and seen in numerous other cars of eons ago. For a new car with a good looking body there is nothing outstanding or classy about that interior. It will not withstand the test of time well. The reason for this is an obvious lack of attention to detail, even in basic non-decorated forms (like what is used in these hot-rods for example). Good basic interior shapes and forms are supposed to make you feel good or happy and give you a since of gladness or enthusiasm behind the wheel on a psychological and physical level. The Jag interior is just plain dull and washed out to have that feel good factor. The German competition is a step ahead because there is a level of attention to detail the others are seriously lacking in the hot-rod class. ( Hot-rods meaning those sport-cars that sit below the more expensive luxury and exotic GTs) Heck, I would get more enthusiasm behind the wheel of a new BMW Z4 than this more expensive Jaguar, just for my reasons stated above.

You mentioned the Jaguar and Corvette and how the Jag is not better, I agree. The shapes in both are lifeless and lacking in good symmetry, nothing that you would call “World-Class”. Just imagine if the Vette or Jag had the attention to detail (more formal and less generic looking) Thay would (especially the Corvette) get a new level of respect.

 

[tristatez28lt1]

I'll just leave this here if anyone wants to know about the quality of the JLR brand.
And Johnny Lieberman (the MotorTrend reviewer) is far from a car enthusiast or knowledgeable tester. He is a writer with not too much knowledge about cars. Don't know why MT is keeping him around. Csaba Csere FTW!

2014 Jaguar F-type V-8 S Long-Term Logbook: Electronic Snafus – Feature – Car and Driver

“During one drive, the center display went dark—and stayed that way—and the power-retracting center air vents failed to deploy.” – Alexander Stoklosa, Associate Online Editor

Proving that old stereotypes die hard, our long-term 2014 Jaguar F-type V-8 S test car has experienced a few inexplicable electronic snafus.

The first issue involved the central air vents, which are supposed to retract into and rise from the dash when either the car or the HVAC system is turned on or off. When they’re down, the dashboard looks clean and the trick is pretty cool—except when the vents fail to deploy, which happened to us once. And on the same journey, the central infotainment display never activated despite furious finger jabs. A few hundred miles later, the vent snit happened to another staffer, along with a flickering dome light.

All of these issues cured themselves within a few ignition cycles and have yet to occur again, but we did need to visit the dealer for a problem with the right rear taillight. It turns out that the LED bulbs in the Jaguar’s taillights cannot be replaced. So when they expire like ours did, the entire taillight assembly must be swapped out. Since the car is still under warranty, this job was performed at no cost to us, but the taillight kerfuffle would have cost us $634.37—$417.77 for the assembly and $216.60 for labor—if we were out of the warranty period. Ouch.

 

[Bucketslash11]

I'll just leave this here if anyone wants to know about the quality of the JLR brand.
And Johnny Lieberman (the MotorTrend reviewer) is far from a car enthusiast or knowledgeable tester. He is a writer with not too much knowledge about cars. Don't know why MT is keeping him around. Csaba Csere FTW!

agree, i watched his LFA vs NSX and he was giving misinformation ("the smart is the only other car on the market with a single-clutch and this is just as bad") and was completely contradictorary compared basically any other review (tiff needell, chris harris, C&D, EVO, teamspeed...)

he even managed to offend the NSX fans by comparing the NSX engine to a ford taurus engine...