GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

New models - Mercedes-Benz - SLK-class - SLK55 AMG

First drive: Sledgehammer SLK55 AMG slinks in

Velvet glove: SLK55 AMG costs just $200 more than the C63 AMG Coupe at $155,000 on the nose.

SLK roadster hardens its image with new non-turbo 5.5-litre Mercedes-AMG V8

16 Mar 2012

MERCEDES-BENZ has introduced a blistering new AMG V8 to its latest-generation SLK roadster arsenal, backed up by a hefty $24,360 price cut.

The muscular new SLK55 AMG now costs $155,000, which is line ball with the C63 AMG Coupe, indicating a determination to shift more of the sportiest SLK.

As the fourth version of the third-generation SLK to arrive in Australia, it follows the four-cylinder SLK200 ($82,900) and SLK250 ($91,900), as well as the V6-powered SLK350 ($118,900).

Most significantly, however, it is the first model to debut Mercedes-AMG's new M152 V8 engine, which - unlike the twin-turbo V8 that powers other AMGs - is naturally aspirated.

Although the 5.5-litre V8 lacks the performance of the most potent AMG powerplant - and is much smaller than the German powerhouse's previous 6.2-litre V8, it still manages to generate 310kW and 540Nm.

This is up on the previous SLK55's older 5.4-litre V8, which made 265kW and 510Nm, and enables the new SLK55 to storm to 100km/h in just 4.6 seconds. Like most AMG and Mercedes-Benz models, this SLK is electronically limited to 250km/h.

Remarkably, AMG has managed to record an official fuel consumption rating of just 8.5 litres per 100km - about the same as a Camry - and CO2 emissions of 197 grams per kilometre.

Incredibly, the official fuel economy of the new SLK-AMG's 5.5-litre V8 is also just 0.2L/100km higher than the new SLK350, which is 2.0 litres smaller, has two fewer cylinders and makes 85kW less power.

Elements contributing to this figure include the lightweight nature of the engine, which tips the scales at only 187kg, as well as a series of fuel-saving measures including displacement-on-demand technology.

4 center imageMercedes says this system is ‘Formula One inspired’ although it is hardly new, with General Motors offering the technology since the 1980s and fitting it to the Holden Commodore's 6.0-litre V8, and Chrysler doing the same to its 5.7-litre V8.

With AMG's cylinder-deactivation system, cylinders two, three, five and eight shut down when the engine is not being worked hard. It can operate at any stage between 800rpm to 3600rpm when the engine is operating in relaxed Comfort mode, but switches off when the driver selects other more sporting modes.

AMG has also employed an idle-stop system to drive down the fuel economy figure by killing the engine when the vehicle comes to a halt. Similarly, this system comes on automatically in the standard C mode, but not in other modes and can also be manually switched off.

The company has retained its traditional seven-speed torque-convertor automatic transmission, which can be operated by steering wheel mounted paddles. There is no manual option.

AMG has fitted the car's exhaust with flaps that control the flow of gases for a more emotive sound when the throttle is opened wide.

The suspension is altered for a sportier set-up with stiffer dampers and spring rates combining with stiffer stabilisers and more pronounced negative camber on the rear axle.

An even firmer suspension tune is also available as part of the $8825 AMG Handling Package, which also includes a more aggressive rear differential for better drive out of corners, front composite brake discs and a three-spoke AMG Performance steering wheel.

The SLK55 features a Torque Vectoring Brake for the rear axle, a system that brakes an inside wheel for optimum cornering.

Like other SLKs, this one also runs the Direct Steer steering system, which reduces the degree of steering input required to change the direction of the vehicle at lower speeds, though this system has been tuned specially for the AMG model.

The AMG SLK shares the same bodywork as other SLK models, which have taken on a more masculine looked compared to the more rounded look of the previous model, which was deemed too soft by Mercedes designers.

But the obligatory AMG body kit and other more subtle exterior design upgrades enable it to be distinguished from lesser models.

Changes include a different front grille, lower bumper and larger air intakes, unique headlight surrounds, AMG daytime LED running lights and special tail-lights, along with quad exhausts with chrome outlet surrounds either side of a lower rear diffuser, which Mercedes admits is purely cosmetic at speeds allowed on Australian roads.

The top-shelf SLK sits on 18-inch rims wrapped with 235/40 tyres.

Standard features include Nappa leather-trimmed AMG sports seats with a solar-reflecting surface treatment, Harman Kardon Logic 7 sound system, satellite-navigation, 10GB music hard drive, Bluetooth audio streaming, internet browser with built-in Google maps integration and a race timing feature in the instrument cluster.

Mercedes-Benz SLK pricing (plus on-roads):
SLK200 BlueEfficiency (a) $82,900
SLK250 BlueEfficiency (a) $91,900
SLK350&nbsp BlueEfficiency (a) $118,900
SLK55 AMG (a) $155,000

Quick tests

Read more

GoAuto can help you buy a new SLK-class

Customer Terms and Conditions – New Car Lead enquires

Agreement

This is an agreement between GoAutoMedia Pty Limited ACN 094 732 457 of PO Box 18, Beach Road, Sandringham, VIC, 3191 (“we/us”), the owner and operator of the GoAuto.com.au website (“the website”) and the person wanting GoAuto.com.au to provide them with a lead for the purchase of a new car (“you”).

By completing a New Car Lead Enquiry, you agree to the terms and conditions and disclaimers and acknowledge the policies set out below.

Terms and Conditions

  • In order for us to effect a lead you must you must complete a New Car Lead Enquiry (“Enquiry”).
  • We will call you as soon as possible after you complete the Enquiry and certainly no later than the next business day. When we call, we will discuss with you your new car requirements.
  • You consent to our passing on the Enquiry and your requirements to an appropriate authorised motor car dealer as a lead.
  • We will contact you again in approximately eight days following your initial enquiry to check on the progress of the Enquiry.
  • While we will provide the dealer with the Enquiry and details of your new car requirements, we take no responsibility for what happens after passing on that material as a lead.
  • You acknowledge that we are a new car information service providing new car editorial information, pictures and prices to our customers as a guide only. Any new car prices published on the website are the manufacturers’ recommended retail prices and do not include delivery charges and on-road costs. Any authorized motor car dealer to which we pass on your Enquiry as a lead will provide you with full details of the price at which the vehicle will be sold to you.
  • You acknowledge that we do not sell motor vehicles. Any sale of a new car to you by a dealer after we have passed on your Enquiry to that dealer as a lead, is a sale by that dealer not by us.

Privacy Policy– New Car Lead Enquires

  • We take privacy very seriously. We understand that you will only complete an Enquiry if you can trust us to protect your personal information and use it appropriately. Our policy is to ensure that the personal information collected when you make an Enquiry is only used for the purposes of connecting you with an authorised motor car dealer.
  • We do not on-sell information collected from you or any other customer.
  • From time to time, we may email you with information or promotions that may be relevant for car buyers. You will continue to receive communications from us unless you tell us that you do not want to receive any advertising or promotional information in the future by unsubscribing from these communications.
close
* Denotes required field
** Australian inquiries only

Click to share

Click below to follow us on
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

Mercedes-Benz models

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here