SLK/SLC-Class (R172) [Spyshots] 2016 Mercedes-Benz SLK / SLC R172 facelift

[Centurion]

^^That's a real nice sketch. One can only hope it looks like that and not the disappointment that the current car is. It baffles me every time I see that car on the road at how they thought it was a good design. SLK is probably my most disliked current MB.

Indeed. I love the sketch too. The best chances of the SLK returning to relevancy is for Merc to make it an mini AMG GT. As much as I love the metal folding roof, it's no longer a strong enough competitive advantage. The SLK should be split into two models: a coupe and a convertible with a folding metal roof. This way the brand will be able to target petrol heads without alienating boulevard cruisers or the Sweet 16 that want a cute Benz to look pretty in.

 

[Rolf]

Indeed. I love the sketch too. The best chances of the SLK returning to relevancy is for Merc to make it an mini AMG GT. As much as I love the metal folding roof, it's no longer a strong enough competitive advantage. The SLK should be split into two models: a coupe and a convertible with a folding metal roof. This way the brand will be able to target petrol heads without alienating boulevard cruisers or the Sweet 16 that want a cute Benz to look pretty in.

I totally agree, it would be fantastic to see the SLK (SLC) been made as a coupe (mini AMG GT style like the sketch would be awesome) and convertible. Both Audi and Porsche make them so I don't understand why Mercedes persists on only having a convertible when its rival coupes are selling well. Mercedes need AMG to work on the next SLK (SLC) suspension and make it a full on drivers car per excellence. No comfort convertible, it needs to be a drivers convertible to make it a more worthy rival for the Boxster.

 

[klier]

Agreed, but I think both BMW and Mercedes have that idea of being both a coupe and roadster with their hardtops on Z4 and SLK.

Either way, these type of cars hardly sell so a facelift will likely not be extensive. Better luck next gen.

 

[NarutoRamen]

I agree with both of you @Centurion and @Rolf. It should truly become two cars and not a confused convertible. If they can make it drive like the AMG GT, that would make this car an amazing bargain and they will sell by the boat loads.

 

[Rolf]

Agreed, but I think both BMW and Mercedes have that idea of being both a coupe and roadster with their hardtops on Z4 and SLK.

Either way, these type of cars hardly sell so a facelift will likely not be extensive. Better luck next gen.

I can't understand why the Z4 is not selling well, cause it is a gorgeous looking car, the current one is the best looking out of all the Z3/Z4 that have come out. This time I reckon it is better looking than the current SLK and TT models.

 

[klier]

I can't understand why the Z4 is not selling well, cause it is a gorgeous looking car, the current one is the best looking out of all the Z3/Z4 that have come out. This time I reckon it is better looking than the current SLK and TT models.

It's not just the Z4 it's all these roadsters.
And while it may be the best looking, the previous Z4 was joy to drive and this one is not really. Not sporty enough.

And making a mini AMG GT out of the SLK is not going to make it sell. That's internet fanboy talk.
In these difficult times no sane person is going to buy a tiny hugely expensive roadster that offers ZERO practicality.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

Think so too, that Z4 is one of the best looking current roadsters on market. Agree also with Klier, that the roadster as such is going through a rough period if it comes to sales. Maybe next MX5 can change that a little.

 

[klier]

Yeah but the MX5 costs like half of a Z4/SLK. Maybe even more than half.
And the MX5 has long been the best selling cabrio in the world, so that car will be just fine.

 

[Rainer271]

The previous Z4 was construed more as a sporty car while the recent one has a construction more in tendency comfort. And the predecessor had less weight. As far as I know about 200 kg. But I'm not sure.

 

[klier]

Yeah, has a lot to do with the folding hardtop.
And because of poor sales they are not making a coupe/fixed hardtop, so we're never getting out of this vicious circle.

 

[Rolf]

I personally love the concept of the Mazda MX5, cheaper, RWD roadster with great looks and light weight construction and maximum driving thrills. Don't know why more manufacturers (Like VW, Ford, Toyota etc.) bring out more cars like this, I am sure these cars will sell. Just nice to have an affordable sports car that is not FWD and can provide driving thrills for so many people instead of only the wealthy.

@klier you are right, the hardtop expensive roadsters seem to be a dying breed now, they just don't seem so popular now compared to 10years ago, maybe its the sign of the times, people more interested in buying SUV's and crossovers.

 

[klier]

Toyota has a 'fixed roof' roadster with RWD in the form of GT86, and VW and Ford are incapable of RWD cars (Ford for the most part)

And it's indeed a sign of times, just like Vans don't sell anymore. When is the last time I have seen a Renault Scenic? Long time ago!

 

[NarutoRamen]

And making a mini AMG GT out of the SLK is not going to make it sell. That's internet fanboy talk.
In these difficult times no sane person is going to buy a tiny hugely expensive roadster that offers ZERO practicality.

Now now. You can't honestly say that can you? Because the Cayman seems to be doing pretty damn good. And despite the cost, it's selling quite well in the area I live in. I mostly see Caymans around here and RARELY do I see a Boxster.

 

[klier]

Now now. You can't honestly say that can you? Because the Cayman seems to be doing pretty damn good. And despite the cost, it's selling quite well in the area I live in. I mostly see Caymans around here and RARELY do I see a Boxster.

The world is bigger than the area you live in
And the Cayman outsells the Boxter here too, but it's besides the point. I phrased it wrong, I meant a mini AMG Roadster. The SLK is not going to change into a coupe.

 

[NarutoRamen]

The world is bigger than the area you live in
And the Cayman outsells the Boxter here too, but it's besides the point. I phrased it wrong, I meant a mini AMG Roadster. The SLK is not going to change into a coupe.

LOL. No sh!t it's bigger than my area. However, considering I live in California and specifically VERY near the Bay Area. There is a HUGE population here and the sample size is quite big enough for me to make decent conclusions based on observations.

I don't think it will become SLK coupe "magically" but considering MB is bunching up many letters together, they COULD create a new model and slot it above the SLK roadster. I mean..Cayman isn't called "Boxster Coupe" is it?

 

[Wolfgang]

Perhaps Coupetorino inspired?

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[Amat46]

I like the idea of a smaller sports car below the GT infact AMG can use the next generation SLC platform for it. This is what they should aim for

 

[Wolfgang]

Yes, and AMG may wish to use the MSA to contain costs and to speed up development.

Autoevolution says

From no less than nine different platforms until a few years ago, Mercedes-Benz is preparing to switch to only four car architectures for their upcoming models.

In a bid to reduce both the costs and the speed of development for new models, the three-pointed star car maker is hard at work in developing four different modular passenger car platforms which will cover their entire ever-expanding lineup.

The MFA (Modular Front Architecture) platform currently consists of the A-Class, B-Class, CLA-Class and the recently-unveiled GLA-Class, with an upcoming CLA Shooting Brake to complement the rest of the models later this year. A not-yet-confirmed SLA Roadster might be part of the second generation of the MFA platform, which is set to arrive in 2017.

The MRA (Modular Rear Architecture) platform debuted with the all-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class W205, featuring an extensive use of aluminium and a dramatic decrease in weight. It is presumably a lot more flexible than the fixed-wheelbase MFA, with Daimler's Thomas Weber being quoted as saying that over ten different vehicles could be manufactured on the MRA platform, as it allows engineers to differentiate them with different wheelbases and even body width.

The MHA (Modular High Architecture) platform will be used on future large crossovers and SUVs from Mercedes-Benz, including the upcoming MLC crossover, which should be unveiled in 2015 and built alongside the ML, GL and C-Class W205 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The next generations of the ML and GL will also be manufactured on the MHA platform, with smaller crossover/SUVs to be built either on the MRA (upcoming GLK X205 and a GLC competitor for the BMW X4) or the MFA (the GLA X156) platforms.

The MSA (Modular Sports Architecture) platform will also use a hefty amount of aluminium but also carbon fiber reinforced plastic to decrease weight even more. The future generation of the SLK might switch from using a modified C-Class platform to the MSA, along with the Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster R232, but nothing is confirmed as of yet.

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/m...78508.html?utm_medium=self&utm_source=home-up

 

[Rolf]

The Coupetorino is basically the spiritual successor of the 1970's Mercedes SLC, which was an extended coupe version of the SL. I think its a great concept and am sure if they can bring it in after or at same time as the FL for the SLK (mmmmm I mean SLC) with some hectic changes for the front and back lights it will be a huge booster for Mercedes sports car sales.

 

[Amat46]

Get us some leaks from AMG Wolf!