2016 Detroit Motor Show: Mercedes-Benz SLC to replace SLK
Twenty years down the road, Mercedes replaces the iconic SLK name with this, the new SLC. The SLC is essentially a facelifted SLK but with a new face that is in line with Mercedes' current design language. The name change comes after the company has renamed the GL to the GLS and ML to the GLE, the logic is to align the vehicles with their respective sedans and according to Mercedes, the SLK is in line with the C-Class.
The Mercedes-Benz SLC gets an all-new face with an angular bonnet and brand new headlamps. The stunning diamond grille is now standard. Things are a lot more familiar at the rear which retains the SLK's shape but with new lamps and a fresh bumper. The cabin is quite similar to the old car but with some new aluminium trim and colour themes and a sleeker gear selector. The display is now 7 inches across as opposed to the old 5.8-inch screen and promises a higher resolution. The folding metal roof will stowaway at speeds up 40kmph and the SLK's excellent Air Scarf technology that blows warm air on your neck to keep you comfy when the top is down on those cold mornings continues.
Internationally, the Mercedes-Benz SLC is available with a range of engine choices. The smallest is the SLC 180 which gets a 1.6-litre turbo petrol that makes 156PS and 250Nm. Next is the 2.0-litre four cylinder 184PS/300Nm SLC 200 while the SLC 300 uses the same engine but boosted to 245PS and 370Nm. Mercedes also offers a SLC 250d that uses the same 2.2-litre diesel from the C-Class and produces 204PS/500Nm. The exciting version however is the new SLC 43 AMG that uses the excellent 3.0-litre twin turbo V6 that we recently experienced in the GLE 450 AMG. The motor produces 367PS and 520Nm and Mercedes-AMG claims a 0-100kmph time of 4.7s and a top speed of 250kmph. All of the above come with a 9-speed automatic while the base SLC 180 and the SLC 200 can also be bought with a 6-speed manual.
For now the SLC 43 AMG is the most powerful car in the range and it doesn't quite match the outgoing SLK 55 AMG that had a 421PS naturally aspirated V8.
 Going by the previous SLK, Mercedes might offer the SLC 300 as well as the full blow SLC 43 AMG. Expect it to be here sometime next year.