Mercedes AMG SLC 43
OMG…. Its an AMG!!
Mercedes has launched its 6th new car this year in India and it’s the SLC 43. The roadster will replace the SLK 55 and let’s take a look at how this car will stack up.
The car was first unveiled at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show and within 6 months the car is already on Indian roads… truly fast movers!! This car commemorates 20 years of the launch of the Roadster.This is the first time the ‘43’ nomenclature is being launched in India and the C from the SLC is for the C Class series.
Design
First things first, let’s take a look at the design. The first thing you notice is that it is not a facelift for the sake of a facelift. The design language is quite new. As expected.. sleek and stunning it is !! The bonnet has a sloping downwards design with a rectangular grille with rounded sides. The three pointed star logo rests on the single chrome slat in the middle of the grille. The car is fitted with 4 DRLs with LED , all of which can look in different directions at the same time… sounds like a monster right??
The side profile is much like the SLK, with air outlet and the window line tilting upwards. The rear has a spoiler lip on the boot with chrome finished exhaust outlets. The boot is curved adding definition to the design.
The Panoramic Vario sunroof is quite an improvement by Merc engineers and now opens at a speed of 40 km/hour with no manual input needed. The car is designed very aerodynamically – be it with the roof or without.
From the inside, the car is much like the A class. The upholstery is black with red contrast top stitching. The trim is light carbon grain aluminium. The SLC badge is etched on the gearshift. The two tubular instrument cluster is a good design with a 4.5 inch infotainment screen from where you can access a host of Mercedes Apps among other things. The steering wheel is Nappa leather multi function sport steering wheel.
Read more : All you want to know about the Mercedes AMG SLC 43
Engine
While the SLK was fitted with the naturally aspirated V8, the SLC comes with a V6. Sigh ! I hear disappointment all around. But fret not, the car though lacks a bit in the power department , is truly what it claims to be – agile and light on the feet. The power figures are truly amazing though. The car gives our 520 Nm @ 2000 rpm, whereas the earlier figure was 540 Nm@4500 rpm. Also, the mileage numbers are quite good.
The car moves from 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds flat, making the AMG badge proud and the electronically limited top speed is 250 km/h.
The car gives around 14-15 kmpl, that is if you don’t step too much on the gas!! Quite satisfactory, I must say. Rest assured you will be leaving behind a smaller carbon footprint. But jokes aside, considering the smaller engine the power delivery is quite impressive.
The car comes with Mercedes’s 9G-Tronic Automatic Transmission and DYNAMIC select. There are five drive programs to choose from – Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus and Indiviual. Depending on the setting selected there are model-specific changes to the engine, transmission and steering characteristics- and the soundtrack to match for the authentic sports car feel.
However, the best mode for a smooth power delivery and driving experience is the Sports Plus mode with manual shifting.
Verdict:
The car is appropriate for a true sports car lover…. So not a practical car. A car you would buy with your heart and not your head. The car does not have a boot with space even for a picnic basket.. may be enough for your champagne flutes only… only for the passengers though !! So take this out for a spin on weekends. The car is priced at Rs. 77.5 lacs and will compete with BMW Z4.