Goodbye, SLK 55 AMG. Hello, 362bhp Merc-AMG SLC 43

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Written by Sam Philip

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This is the Mercedes-AMG SLC 43, further evidence of Stuttgart"s passionate embracing of the downsizing trend.For starters, it"s got a new, more efficient badge. SLC is Merc"s new name for the SLK - this is a facelift and rebrand rather than all-new car - ditching that lumpy, over-complicated K" in favour of a simpler, lighter C" to reflect the firm"s new streamlined naming policy.But it"s gone smaller in the engine department too. The old SLK 55, of course, employed a naturally aspirated 5.5-litre V8, but AMG is now a dedicated follower of turbocharging.Thus, the new SLC 43 employs a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 (not, as the name might suggest, a 4.3-litre) making 362bhp at 5500rpm, and a hefty 384lb ft of torque from just 2000rpm. It"s all sent to the rear wheels through Merc"s nine-speed auto box.Making less power than the old SLK 55, the SLC 43 is just a fraction slower from 0-62mph, clocking the sprint in 4.7 seconds. Top speed is limited to 155mph.A six-cylinder AMG is big news. It"s not the first the C32 of 2002 employed a supercharged 3.2-litre V6 but it"s quite the departure from a firm traditionally wedded to V8s (four-cylinder A45 and relatives honorably excepted).

Date: 15 Dec 2015
More of this article on the Top gear website

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