Currently reading: 2016 Mercedes-Benz SLC prices and specs released

Mercedes-Benz SLC to start at £30,495 for the entry-level SLC 200 Sport

Mercedes-Benz SLC prices and specifications have been released, with the formerly named SLK starting at £30,495 in entry-level SLC200 Sport guise. 

Two 2.0-litre petrol engines are available, offering 184bhp in the SLC200, which replaces the SLK200, and 245bhp in the SLK250-replacing SLC300. One diesel engine is offered, with a 2.1-litre unit producing 204bhp uit in the SLC250d, along with CO2 emissions of 114g/km. Emissions for the petrol engines start at 137g/km in the SLC200 equipped with a 9G-Tronic gearbox, 138g/km for the SLC300 with a standard-fit 9G-Tronic ’box and 150g/km for the six-speed manual SLC200.

Read our full Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 review here

No direct replacement for the SLK350 is catered for in the new line-up, UK deliveries of which are set to begin in the spring.

The top-spec SLC43 starts at £46,355. Pictured here at the Detroit motor show, the SLC43 replaces the SLK55 AMG. Power for the heavily reworked rear-wheel-drive roadster hails from the same twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine used by the S400 Coupé, here using a 9G-Tronic automatic transmission.

With 362bhp and 384lb ft, the new engine delivers 53bhp and 14lb ft less than the naturally aspirated 5.5-litre V8 petrol unit used by its predecessor. But while the SLK55 AMG developed its 398lb ft peak at 4500rpm, the SLC43's can be tapped from 2000rpm. The 0-62mph sprint takes just 4.7sec and the top speed is electronically limited to 155mph.

The SLK55 used a seven-speed version of AMG’s Speedshift automatic gearbox, while the SLC43 is fitted with Mercedes-Benz’s latest nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission, which features Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus, Eco and Individual driving modes.

Two spec levels are available: Sport and AMG Line. Sport models feature 17in alloys as standard, while AMG Line brings 18in AMG Line alloys. In SLC200 and 250d format, AMG Line brings a £4000 premium to the respective £30,495 and £32,995 prices, while the SLC300 is only available in AMG Line spec, at £39,985. The 9G-Tronic gearbox on the SLC200 is a £1485 option. 

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Official performance claims put the SLC43’s 0-62mph time at 4.7sec – 0.1sec slower than the SLK55 - while top speed remains limited to 155mph. The move to the smaller capacity engine has brought about a 2.5mpg improvement in combined cycle fuel economy at 36.2mpg, with average CO2 emissions of 178g/km.

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.

Other changes introduced with the new SLC include an SLC180 entry-level model, which is not coming to the UK for the forseeable future. It uses a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine developing 154bhp and 184lb ft.

The SLK200-replacing SLC200 also receives a new engine, with the old 1.8-litre unit replaced by a more contemporary 2.0-litre powerplant delivering the same 181bhp as before but an added 22lb ft at 221lb ft.

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Among the styling changes brought to the SLC are a new front bumper with larger ducts for improved engine bay cooling, an altered grille featuring a Mercedes-Benz’s latest diamond-shaped insert design and revised headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights and fresh internal graphics. At the rear, there are new LED tail-light graphics and a reprofiled bumper with integrated tailpipes and a more pronounced diffuser element.

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Revisions to the operating procedure of the SLC’s folding hard-top now allow it to be to opened without having to manually set the luggage cover in place. It also now operates at speeds of up to 25mph, allowing it to be opened and closed while setting off rather than at standstill, as with the older SLK. Buyers can continue to order the optional Magic Sky Control glass roof, which employs an electrochromatic process to vary the amount of light entering the cabin.

Inside, the SLC retains the same dashboard as before. However, it receives revised instruments, new trim applications, a larger 4.in infotainment monitor and a new three-spoke steering wheel, among other changes. Standard safety equipment now includes Active Brake Assist – a collision prevention system that features autonomous braking, Attention Assist - a system which detects and alerts drivers to signs of fatigue, Active Bonnet, which raises the bonnet to protect pedestrians in the event of a collision, remote boot lid release, and automatic headlights.

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topsecret456987 28 January 2016

With this and the Boxster

With this and the Boxster going down the 4cylinder turbo route means that a small sportcar with a modestly (ie enough power for the road and use all of it" with a six cylinder NA engine is well and truly dead. Not convinced by turbo charging - great when they are new but useless after a few years and the turbos stop working very well. How about an MX5 with a 2.5 V6 high revving engine, and no turbo - about 220-250bhp should suffice :)
jaz4 28 May 2016

Lol. turbo loss.. I think

Lol. turbo loss.. I think things have moved on.
Dont forget most cars have adapted response, so drive keenly then that is what you get, want sports mode, you need to do throttle body rest (by combination of ignition key switching) put it in sports mode and so on by that time even a fiat 500 will be going past you.

I am on my 5th z4. all previous have been straight 6. 3 at 2.5 last but one was 3.0. the 3.0 was sub 5.8s, but mpg was so bad below 30 mpg. Now my current is a 28 which is a 2.0 4 cylinder turbo. Had it 3 years from new and would never go back. Its faster at 5.5 and mpg over 38 beats everything before. I used to fill up once per week, now its 10 days so saving around £120 per month (pro rata now we are on a cheaper £/l). insurance lower, tax lower. Its got a higher maximum torque at lower revs and steady power all the way to red line. I rarely use the sports mode as its fast enough in normal mode.

So my turbo 4 cylinder is way better than a straight 6 2.5 or 3.0l and more than enough power for road and I dont certainly use all of it even after 3 years. Looking for a remap putting it over 310 if I wanted so good for below 5s but why.

How about twin turbo 3 cylinder 1.5l running at 250bhp. 0-60 below 5.5 seconds and mpg over 45...

ahaus 28 January 2016

could be such a nice car...

This is probably the best iteration of the baby SL-model to date, but it still misses the mark and could have been a stellar model rather than a niche compact coupe/cabrio.

First of all, the exterior styling is marred by the greenhouse design which hasn't changed since the first generation. The truncated rear quarter window still looks immature and still gives it a girlie coupe look.
The other fault is its interior where the components are carried over from an earlier C-class interior and the dash is so slab-sided and way too upright to be a sports car.
There is enough room to cant the centre stack an extra 30 degrees for a more sporty and elegant cockpit.

voyager12 12 January 2016

The first SLK...

looked right to me. It had the right proportions. After that one the SLK turned worse and very uninteresting.