2016 Mercedes-AMG SLC55 Rendered
Peter Parcon May 24, 2015Mercedes-Benz is set on updating its vehicle lineup by enhancing their designs, platforms and engines. Even the names are expected to be changed. The SLK is among the luxury vehicles expected to go through some updates and will be given a new name, SLC. Due to this, the guys over at TopSpeed gave us a heads up on a rendering they created for the 2018 Mercedes-AMG SLC55 to give us mortals an idea of how the AMG variant of the SLC will look like when it comes out in the market.
The German luxury vehicle manufacturer will be able to keep expenses down through a scalable platform that can be used on both the SLC and SL. With this, the company can concentrate on making the two models different from each other, an issue affecting the SLK and SL. It will also ensure the SL and SLC are reasonably-priced to make it appealing to potential customers.
Aside from the new platform the 2018 Mercedes-AMG SLC55 may also receive the 4.0-liter V8 engine, which is currently being used on the Mercedes-AMG GT. The agility and efficiency of the SLC may be enhanced with the combination of the new engine and the reduced overall weight of the vehicle.
External Appearance
Since the Mercedes-AMG SLC55 will use some design elements from the S-Class, its headlights, taillights, front apron and grille may also be updated. The headlights and taillights are expected to use the same design found on the S-Class since the SLC may be longer and slimmer compared to the SLK55.
The front apron may feature wider air inlets to enhance airflow while the grille will be wider. The side sills are also expected to be enhanced to make them more obvious. The entire vehicle may be more compact since it will use the scalable modular sports car architecture. Since the Mercedes-AMG SLC will use lightweight components, its curb weight may go down to 3,200 lbs, which is much lower compared to the 3,583 lbs weight of the SLK55 AMG.
Interior Design
Some industry watchers are expecting the new C-Class sedan to provide the inspiration for the interior of the SLC55. With this, the steering wheel may have a flat bottom and a bit thicker. It may also come with a tablet-like touch screen and an organized central stack.
Drivetrain And Performance
The 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine has found its way into a number of updated vehicle models of Mercedes-Benz and AMG as the two companies start to shy away from engines with large-displacements.
The people over at TopSpeed expect the power output of the engine of the 2018 Mercedes-AMG SLC55 to reach 503 HP while its torque may reach 516 lb-ft. These figures allow it to offer better performance compared to the SLK55 AMG and the standard model of the C63.
The SLC55 may also use a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and since power will be routed through the rear wheels, the fuel economy of the SLC55 may go up to at least 30 mpg on the highway. However, city driving may not be as economical since it remains at 19 mpg for city driving.
The increased power and reduced weight will also allow the SLC55 to perform better compared to the 2015 SLK55. Its 0 to 60 mph acceleration may be reduced by around 0.3 seconds to 4.2 seconds. While the top speed of the standard model will still be limited to 155 mph, Mercedes is expected to give the S version a top speed of 180 mph.
Pricing
The price tag of the SLC55 may not be considerably higher than the $70,900 price of the SLK55 since it is will use a scalable platform. The price of the SLC55 when it enters the market may be around $73,000.
Competition
Among the possible competitors in the market for the Mercedes-AMG SLC55, the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible and 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder stand out among the rest.
The Corvette Stingray Convertible offers the best value for money in the luxury vehicle segment. It has a base price tag of $59,900, which reasonable due to its notable interior. However, in order for the Corvette Stingray to be in the same level as the SLC55 in terms of style and performance, it will be necessary to use the Z51 Performance Package on it. This will increase its price tag to around $74,445.
On the other hand, the 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder may be in the same level as the 2018 Mercedes-AMG SLC55 with its 3.8-liter six cylinder engine offering 375 HP of power. The latest model of the Boxster Spyder is capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph within 4.3 seconds and has a top speed of 180 mph. The location of its engine also enhances its balance while negotiating corners and facilitates handling while on the road. However, one major drawback for the Boxster Spyder is its $82,100 price tag.
The technological developments made by Mercedes on its vehicles are already evident on the SLK55. Due to this, the 2018 Mercedes-AMG SLC55 is expected to outperform the current luxury roadster of the German luxury vehicle manufacturer. While the Corvette Convertible may be speedier and more agile, owners can get a certain feeling of achievement when they get the three-pointed star tweaked by AMG inside their garage.