SLK/SLC-Class (R172) [Official] Mercedes-Benz SLC (R172)

[Wunderkind]

Great to see the SLK doing fine on the sales chart in the US. I really hope the next SLC will be something special and will not repeat the mistakes of the current SLK(SLC).

The current layout and dimensions of the SLC just doesn't cut it in the face of the Porsche Cayman/Boxster and even the BMW Z4. It needs wider tracks and longer wheelbase to make it more dynamic and better harness the power of the large output engines.

The interior, like that of the SL, needs a new design language and needs to jump a couple of generations at least and it's time to lose those circular eyeball air-con vents because they take up too much space and stuff up the rest of the dashboard. They just don't work in a small car with a narrow dashboard like the SLC.

 

[Der Hofmeister]

The SLC 43 title is more than confusing. They could have gone for the SLC 30 instead, because that would have been better given the displacement of the engine.

The "3" is understandable, one way or another, but the "4" is more than confusing since the car does not have 4MATIC, which should have explained better this designation.

This Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 is in fact a "camouflaged" AMG Sport model, but since it doesn't feature a 4x4 system (because the current platform was not designed with 4MATIC in mind, so there is not enough room for AWD), it does not qualify for the "SLC 450 AMG 4MATIC" title.

Look at the wheel design of the SLC 43 model in the official pictures - those are the standard multi-spoke wheels for the AMG Line versions. Mercedes-AMG would never have fitted a true AMG car with a set of wheels coming from standard Mercedes-Benz models.

To put it through, this so-called Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 is not a true Mercedes-AMG model, no matter how much Tobias Moers tries to convince us.

The "45" particle in the AMG A, CLA and GLA classes was chosen because these models were greenlighted for production in 2012 when Mercedes-AMG celebrated the 45th anniversary. But, again is more of a convention than a logical name.

Mercedes-AMG should really revise its entire way of naming its models and just stick to the real displacement of its engines. No more fanciness.

P.S.: This post is [HASHTAG]#43[/HASHTAG].

 

[Der Hofmeister]

Due to its overall "engineered in Affalterbach" package of typical AMG driving dynamics, engine response and high efficiency, the SLC 43 is very competitively positioned in the segment.

The published photos serve as demonstration. Everything is just plain standard on this "true" AMG model. There is no plate on the engine stating the name of the engineer who assembled the engine (all other AMGs have it), the wheel design subject has been discussed, there is no "V6 BITURBO" badge on the front wing (like TURBO 4MATIC or V8 BITURBO or V12 BITURBO), the exhaust pipes are standard as well and do not resemble any seen on the rest of the AMG models, the gear stick is the standard one and not the one with its specific AMG design. There is also no A-wing and no twin-blade grille with the AMG logo on the left.

So: dissapointment on all fronts - a wannabe AMG. The former SLK 55 AMG should, at least, be slightly missed. At least, for not being standard...

 

[tennmb]

Mercedes needs to be thoroughly beaten over active high beam assist. In this mode the brights will NOT come on until the car has reached 28 mph. Why? This makes no sense. We get more complaints and confusion over this feature.

 

[mercpassion]

just noticed, no AMG drive unit!!, have MB really made a major blunder with this car or something, very strange indeed. Liking the standard version though, because the pre FL was already very nice IMO, therefore only needed minor changes, overall the car is a touch more refined than the pre FL, the gear lever being the best addition.

 

[Wolfgang]

Mercedes-Benz SLC 300, designo cerrusit grey magno, AMG Line

Mercedes-Benz SLC 300, interior, bengal red/black

Source: Daimler

 

[vios1]

Notice that there is no touchpad upgrade for the facelift?

 

[Rolf]

That SLC 300 with AMG line and designo grey magno exterior looks really good, I like the interior as well especially the seats, gearshift, center console aluminium trim and door panels. Only things that let the car down are the aging command controller and black radio buttons and black panel surround.

 

[Wolfgang]

Re the SLC 43, Autocar reminds us thusly:

The '43' model designation was first used on the C43 AMG launched in 1997. Powered by a naturally aspirated 4.3-litre V8 petrol engine, the predecessor to today’s C63 produced 302bhp and 302lb ft, sufficient to provide the 1571kg saloon with a 0-62mphh time of 6.5sec and a 155mph top speed.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motor-shows-detroit-motor-show/2016-mercedes-benz-slc-revealed

And AMG says they have a plan to spread that designation? What's going on? Might it lateron be planned for an new AMG I6 with 430 PS, perhaps?

The new SLC 43 represents the entry point into the current roadster world of AMG. Apart from the renaming of the SLK to SLC, the open-top two-seater also comes with a new AMG nomenclature. The familiar two-digit combination typical of AMG underscores the SLC's unmistakable membership of the AMG family. Due to its overall "engineered in Affalterbach" package of typical AMG driving dynamics, engine response and high efficiency, the SLC 43 is very competitively positioned in the segment. The 43 stands for the further-developed AMG 3.0-liter V6 biturbo engine. The Mercedes-AMGSLC 43 is therefore the first V6 model from Affalterbach to feature the new nomenclature. This will be successively introduced to the future model portfolio.

https://www.mercedes-amg.com/latest.php?lang=eng&section=news&id=20151216_slc

 

[W201]

IMHO, it is possible that they want AMG-Sport (or AMG Sport 450) to be known as _43 AMG.

_43 is less than _45, _63 and _65 (all true AMGs).

 

[Merc1]

It actually looks good in the pics above, but that interior shows it's age badly. The new pop up screen would have helped and a new radio head unit, but that is too large of an investment on such a slow selling car. That said, the SLC43 tag still MAKES NO SENSE. SLC450 would have been great and left the door open for a true AMG model with an even more powerful I6 in a year or so, but Mercedes missteps with that aspect of this facelift.

M

 

[Rolf]

The new SLC300 looks pretty nice in this video, the more I see this car the more I am liking it. Interior looks nice too except for a few details as already discussed above, but that wouldn't stop alot of people wanting to buy this car.

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The AMG SLC43 is also in this other video but too me there is not alot of difference to the SLC300 as per other AMG models. The exhaust is same as the C450 AMG and not like C63 AMG. The interior is almost same as SLC300, no AMG style shifter. Its engine does sound very nice, throaty and burbly!

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[Merc1]

I hate the music, but the cars look good.

M

 

[LaArtist]

wow nice facelift, the front is superb, i like the headlight graphics.. very nice.

this is probably the best looking little roadster on the market..

 

[Centurion]

I look forward to Mercedes binning that roof that's now been used for two consecutive generations. It's limiting the progression of the car's design. The same is true for the SL.

The bigger challenge is convincing you people to buy this car. It used to be "The Baby Benz" but the A-Class and CLC are equally as cool, more practical and better value propositions. To revise the SLK Mercedes must either take it up market by making it Cayman competitor or FWD to bring it closer to the Audi TT in price. I prefer the former.

 

[klier]

To revise the SLK Mercedes must either take it up market by making it Cayman competitor or FWD to bring it closer to the Audi TT in price. I prefer the former.

Where is the notion coming from that FWD is cheaper than RWD? It's not. It costs exactly the same.

 

[Centurion]

Where is the notion coming from that FWD is cheaper than RWD? It's not. It costs exactly the same.

If the successor shares more components with the A-Class it could be cheaper to produce and made more affordable like the TT.

 

[klier]

That is of course true but the SLC should be C class based.
Maybe make an SLA or something too for FWD roadster fun.

But I was thinking about a platform from scratch. When you start from point zero, RWD is not more expensive than FWD.

 

[Rolf]

Mercedes will probably bring out some smaller sports car off the next A-class (coupe and cabrio) to match the A3 and 2 series, so an SLA would make perfect sense or even a A-class coupe/cabrio.

I agree with Klier, the SLC will need to remain RWD and be based on the C-class platform to share engines and gearbox (6-speed manual and 9speed auto), but what is mentioned recently by AMS or some other german mag that the next SLC and SL will share a modular sports car platform, so maybe they will share some components from the C/E-classes (engines and gearbox etc.) but suspensions, body structure components etc will be common between both sports cars only.

This RWD vs FWD cost debacle will never end, BMW I feel will not save any cost going to FWD on the 1/2 series, but its maybe also a thing of following its rivals.

 

[Will]

It's such a tame vehicle.

The weak side profile and sills really do it no favours either.