Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG 400 HP

[RF1]

As the only eight-cylinder roadster in its segment the Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG provides unique driving experience. The two-seater is now even more sporty: Mercedes AMG has developed an exclusive and distinctly puristic special series which sets new standards in driving dynamics. With the AMG 5.5-litre V8 engine enhanced to 294 kW/400 hp and 520 Newton metres, numerous lightweight construction components, carbon hardtop, 19-inch AMG forged wheels, AMG height-adjustable torsion sports suspension and AMG high-performance composite brake system the special SLK 55 AMG demonstrates even more convincingly its sports talent – and makes a good figure on any closed course. Wide, stocky and low slung – the first impression already makes it clear that the SLK 55 AMG is something very special. The front of the car fascinates with the restyled AMG front apron with large air intakes which supply the additional transmission oil cooler and the high-performance steering gear oil cooler with sufficient fresh air. New side air outlets of black carbon ensure an effective flow through of the larger engine oil cooler. The front fenders which are now wider are made of the ultra-light carbon-fibre-reinforced-plastic (CRP) and have black out-lined air outlets. The non-retractable hardtop of the two-seater is also made of CRP; the black central part with carbon fibre structure provides attractive optical effects. Dis-carding of the vario roof and the complete roof hydraulics has not only enabled a lowering of the centre of gravity, but has also resulted in a notable reduction of weight – the puristic special series of the SLK 55 AMG is with a curb weight of 1,495 kg according to EC standard 45 kg lighter than the basic vehicle. This means that the power/weight ratio has improved from 4.3 to 3.7 kg/hp. AMG 5.5-litre V8 engine with 294 kW/400 hp and 520 Nm torque Appropriate to the optimised weight there is a redeveloped AMG 5.5-litre V8 engine under the bonnet with a maximum performance of 294 kW/400 hp, as well as a 520 Newton metres torque. A modified air intake, AMG sports air filter as well as newly developed fan-type exhaust pipes provide an efficient gas cycle and enable that the eight-cylinder reacts more promptly to accelerator pedal movement – which is acoustically noticeable due to the unmistakable V8 sound. The combination of a lower vehicle weight and a high-performance AMG eight-cylinder engine guarantees first-class driving performance: the acceleration from zero to 100 km/h requires only 4.5 seconds (standard vehicle: 4.9 secs.), after 15.5 seconds the SLK 55 AMG already achieves 200 km/h (standard vehicle 17.5 secs.). Power transmission is supplied by the AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC with manual drive program and AMG aluminium shift paddles on the steering wheel. The chassis and brake system are the ideal partners for the dynamic drive package. For example, the AMG height-adjustable torsion suspension, including adjustable shock absorbers, which has been optimised on the racetrack, allows amazing cornering speed. A brace in the engine compartment provides additional rigidity and more lateral dynamics. The special series SLK 55 AMG has ultra-light AMG forged light alloy-wheels with mixed-size tyres in sizes 235/35 ZR 19 (front) and 265/30 ZR 19 (rear) – as an alternative, optional special sports tyres are available without extra charge. Perfect deceleration is guaranteed by the AMG high-performance brake system with larger composite discs on the front axle. Interior functional atmosphere of a real racing car The racing design is consistently continued in the interior: two specially developed AMG sport bucket seats without side airbags in black pearl velour with silver AMG logo offer the best lateral support, the new AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel in leather and Alcantara enables perfect control of the vehicle. Ample carbon fibre on the door panel lining as well as on the trim parts give the interior the functional atmosphere of a real racing car – and are an affirmation of the almost 40 years of Mercedes-AMG motorsport history. Despite potential racetrack driving dynamics the special SLK 55 AMG has all the virtues typical of any Mercedes-Benz car: everyday suitability, safety, durability, quality and standards of service for the most demanding requirements. The first models of the unlimited AMG special series will be supplied to customers as of July. The price in Germany is 107,300 euros (incl. 16% VAT).

Text and photos courtesy of Daimler Chrysler AG

[ferrari550]

Very nice!! bye bye z4 m!

[dutchmasterflex]

non-retractable roof.. whats the point of the having an SLK with no drop top?

I wonder just how much lighter this car is.. and of course it still has the 7speed automatic..

Lets just hope MB allows you to turn off the driving aids..

[Z3uS]

Awesome!

I don't really mind about the non retractable roof.

[skituner]

all that power and "race" technology and still an auto gearbox, ill never understand mercedes

[RC45]

Originally Posted by Z3uS I don't really mind about the non retractable roof.

Seems like Mercedes realizes the extra torsional rigidity an FRC (Fixed Roof Coupe) design provides... I am not saying anything here, but it seems like they are copying a cheap plastic Amercian sports car with this move

[SPEEDKILLAR]

Originally Posted by RC45 Originally Posted by Z3uS I don't really mind about the non retractable roof. Seems like Mercedes realizes the extra torsional rigidity an FRC (Fixed Roof Coupe) design provides... I am not saying anything here, but it seems like they are copying a cheap plastic Amercian sports car with this move

No not really, the Mercedes roof won't come off at 10 mph.

[LotusGT1]

I didn't know the BMW Z3 was a cheap american sportscar

[Shinigami]

In some instances, Carlsson has made a "race" version of the older and newer SLK's, by sometimes removing the roof mechanism.

http://www.carlsson.de/de/race/race/race.php

The roof hydraulic system with roof weighs about a 100kilos, and I suspect this is just one of those quick and dirty ways for AMG to drop the weight of the car down.

The SLK is already one of the most rigid convertibles one can get, and it is hardly "now" that MB realises that having a fixed roof system adds extra tortional rigidity to a car. The very reason why the SLR never made it into a convertible, was due to the hexagonal CF structure which was done to build a very rigid overall structure for the vehicle, required for a car which breaks the 200mph barrier with a sh1tload of torque.

Since the SLK roof is disjointed in several spots (the C pillars being one piece, and the roof being another one), it would require some serious welding to make the "fixed" roof of this SLK provide a significant extra amount of tortional rigidity. The 400hp and 520nm of torque will not tax the current rigidity of the car, and owners of Kleemann SLK's with around 600hp have not experienced any problems whilst driving over 300kph or taking bumpy roads at speed...

I think the roof was fixed in place for two reasons:

1) shave off a lot of weight.
2) having a fixed roof can be the equivalent of having a roll cage, and thus renders this car "legal" for certain types of drag races or auto-x races, because MB will be able to go around some of the legal paparasse by having a "solid" roof.

[martin100]

Great car for sure But isn´t this version already available for quite a while in some countries? I´ve read that in another thread some time ago. AMG offered that as a special kit for all SLK55s if i´m not wrong :roll:

[RC45]

Originally Posted by SPEEDKILLAR Originally Posted by RC45 Originally Posted by Z3uS I don't really mind about the non retractable roof. Seems like Mercedes realizes the extra torsional rigidity an FRC (Fixed Roof Coupe) design provides... I am not saying anything here, but it seems like they are copying a cheap plastic Amercian sports car with this move No not really, the Mercedes roof won't come off at 10 mph.

And your point? The C6 Z is not a Fixed Roof Coupe - but merely a bolted in roof panel.

The C5 Z on the other hand is a complete structural intergral roof component -- Chum , if you want to appear smart, you need to first be smart.

research and knowledge are your friend - try it some time.

Originally Posted by Shinigami The 400hp and 520nm of torque will not tax the current rigidity of the car, and owners of Kleemann SLK's with around 600hp have not experienced any problems whilst driving over 300kph or taking bumpy roads at speed...

Wel thats really odd... I have personally experienced the SL500 and the SLK230 roof show flex and not be as "solid" as you make it out to be.

Unless we get the special "weaker to be sold in amerika" version.

Originally Posted by Shinigami I think the roof was fixed in place for two reasons: 1) shave off a lot of weight.

Uhm - thats a given - doesn't even seem worth mentioning it's so obvious

Originally Posted by Shinigami 2) having a fixed roof can be the equivalent of having a roll cage, and thus renders this car "legal" for certain types of drag races or auto-x races, because MB will be able to go around some of the legal paparasse by having a "solid" roof.

Uhm - you just got through suggesting that you would need to weld all the pieces together to offer any form of extra rigidity yet now you suggest fixing the roof is "as good as a roll cage"..

Not quite - I doubt the "roof" meets the requirements for "roll cage rule fulfillment"

It could in no way ever be "equivalent" to a roll cage, but may simply mean a cage is not needed because the roof cannot open... but those are 2 different things

[RF1]

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[DeMoN]

too expensive to compete against anything. Being MERC its still going to be heaaaaaaaavyyy

[Shinigami]

Originally Posted by RC45 Wel thats really odd... I have personally experienced the SL500 and the SLK230 roof show flex and not be as "solid" as you make it out to be.

SLK 230? That'd be the older version SLK.

The new one has 46% more tortional rigidity then the old model.

The SL on the other hand is a fair bit longer, which can make it harder to keep as rigid as the SLK due to the shorter wheel base.

But still, they are convertibles, built for a certain type of driving. I don't know how well a standard 'Vette behaves in relation to a convertible one, but once again I would expect the coupé version to be tougher then the open top one.

Although one could argue the new Z06 was made non-convertible due to the massive power of the engine, I'm pretty sure convertible 'Vette's exist where the owners have pushed out hundreds of extra ponies, and have experienced no problems with their rides.

The manufacturers place quite a bit of leeway into their cars if they're built right, and 600hp Kleemann mods on the SLK show that it doesn't rip apart even though it's a convertible (unlike the Z3 which apparently does shred when pushed too hard, especially with the M versions...).

*shrug*

[SPEEDKILLAR]

Originally Posted by RC45 Originally Posted by SPEEDKILLAR Originally Posted by RC45 Originally Posted by Z3uS I don't really mind about the non retractable roof. Seems like Mercedes realizes the extra torsional rigidity an FRC (Fixed Roof Coupe) design provides... I am not saying anything here, but it seems like they are copying a cheap plastic Amercian sports car with this move No not really, the Mercedes roof won't come off at 10 mph. And your point? The C6 Z is not a Fixed Roof Coupe - but merely a bolted in roof panel. The C5 Z on the other hand is a complete structural intergral roof component -- Chum , if you want to appear smart, you need to first be smart. research and knowledge are your friend - try it some time. Originally Posted by Shinigami The 400hp and 520nm of torque will not tax the current rigidity of the car, and owners of Kleemann SLK's with around 600hp have not experienced any problems whilst driving over 300kph or taking bumpy roads at speed... Wel thats really odd... I have personally experienced the SL500 and the SLK230 roof show flex and not be as "solid" as you make it out to be. Unless we get the special "weaker to be sold in amerika" version. Originally Posted by Shinigami I think the roof was fixed in place for two reasons: 1) shave off a lot of weight. Uhm - thats a given - doesn't even seem worth mentioning it's so obvious Originally Posted by Shinigami 2) having a fixed roof can be the equivalent of having a roll cage, and thus renders this car "legal" for certain types of drag races or auto-x races, because MB will be able to go around some of the legal paparasse by having a "solid" roof. Uhm - you just got through suggesting that you would need to weld all the pieces together to offer any form of extra rigidity yet now you suggest fixing the roof is "as good as a roll cage".. Not quite - I doubt the "roof" meets the requirements for "roll cage rule fulfillment" It could in no way ever be "equivalent" to a roll cage, but may simply mean a cage is not needed because the roof cannot open... but those are 2 different things

I don't doubt it that I am smarter than you, I'm just not 'cheap american sports car' smart