Mercedes-Benz SLK55 "Black Series"

YSSMAN · Jul 22, 2006

EDIT: I hate the stupid ads over there ----->

Add one more special-edition Mercedes to the lineup:

Leftlanenews.com
Mercedes-Benz today announced a special-edition version of its SLK55 AMG two-seater. The 400hp 'special series' features a non-retratable carbon roof, 19-inch AMG forged wheels, AMG height-adjustable torsion sports suspension and a high-performance composite brake system. The front fenders are now wider and made of the ultra-light carbon-fibre-reinforced-plastic (CRP). The roof is also made of CRP. Power comes from a tuned version of AMG's 5.4-liter V8, which offers 400 hp and 520 NM of torque. The lightweight parts cut about 100lbs from the vehicle's curb weight. Zero to 62 mph takes just 4.5 seconds, down from 4.9, the automaker said. Like the regular SLK 55, this special model uses the 7G-TRONIC transmission with aluminium shift paddles on the steering wheel. A brace in the engine compartment provides additional rigidity and more lateral dynamics. Price in Germany will be 107,300 euros (incl. VAT)

MORE PHOTOS HERE

Nice, very nice indeed. I had the pleasure of riding in a "regular" SLK55, and I loved it. I'm sure that this car is better, but the performance is going to have to be immense for it to knock of the Corvette Z06 as the king of this particular performance hill.

BTW: I love that gearshift.

Kylehnat · Jul 22, 2006

Is AMG no longer "special" enough, or what? :rolleyes:

fangorn_forest · Jul 22, 2006

A non-retractable carbon fiber roof!! :crazy:

This thing just became my third favorite Merc, behind the CLK DTM AMG and the old Lotus-tuned 190E 2.5 I6. Way to go AMG!👍

GT4_Rule · Jul 22, 2006

Well, I suppose it looks better than the original, even though I'm not keen on the nose...

But what's the point of a non-retractable roof? SLK's have always been a small-midsize sports convertible.

niky · Jul 22, 2006

For weight savings. To make a sports car out of a sports tourer.

I wonder if this is the same as the special edition they launched in Malaysia a few months back... they say they're going to be making a racing series for this car (I THINK....)... if they do, it'll be one sexy series.

YSSMAN · Jul 22, 2006

They should have shoehorned 6-speed manual underneath it, but for some reason that is still too complicated of a task for AMG. Granted, the 7G-Tronic is a great transmission, but it still cannot hide the fact that it is a slushbox, no matter what they call it.

niky · Jul 22, 2006

It does make it an easier-to-drive racer, if only because the racer has his hands on the wheel all the time... but from the report in EVO Philippines, a lot of the ham-handed test drivers from the Asian region (remember the wrecked M5?) were still getting dangerously close to creaming the cars into the tirewalls anyway.

The editor says it's a pretty swell car, AT notwithstanding... and definitely much better than the stock deal. Too bad he didn't take the time to lay out the car's dynamics on paper... but it's kind of hard to compare it with the regular SLK55 if you've got nothing but a smooth track to drive on.

I think it'd be great if Mercedes used this car in a promotional series. Good for budding drivers and addicts, and good for Mercedes' profile.

Tornado · Jul 22, 2006

Does Mercedes as a whole even have a MT? As far as I can remember, the last stick they had was the one in the CLK-GTR.

fangorn_forest · Jul 22, 2006

Yes, they have a manual. As a matter of fact, the SLK350 has a 6 speed manual. And quite a good one too, from what I've heard.

harrytuttle · Jul 22, 2006

Oh dear god. We're nearing the end of the world. Mercedes has started removing weight from their sports cars. If the next special edition has good manual transmission, the world will just implode....

Truthfully, I give much kudos to MB. Not only is the new SLK a decent car, but they're making a concerted effort to improve it. And it looks quite bitchin'. Like an AMG should.

kylehnat
Is AMG no longer "special" enough, or what?

No, it's not. It's more like a trim level rather than a special release version. Fully 25% of the Mercedes cars I see on the road are AMG of one form or another, and I don't mean "S430 AMG", which doesn't exist (that's just an aftermarket badge purchase). Heck, you can even buy the AMG bodykit and wheels for just about the entire lineup, which would make the driver of a real E55 AMG look invisible next to an E320. But you can't buy carbon fiber body panels.

AMG should return to the old ways where the cars were both unique and exclusive. BMW is just barely holding on to that, but Audi has that image strongly in hand. Subtle though the changes are, those who care know the difference (and those who don't, can't).

Danny · Jul 24, 2006

Love it.

The Z4 can do one for all I care now.

Jim Prower · Jul 24, 2006

Finally, Mercedes offers a lightweight version of something OTHER than the CLK.

Pink_the_Floyd · Jul 24, 2006

Lovely car!

*107.000 euros?!*

That car sucks!

GT4_Rule · Jul 25, 2006

"lightweight"

A new vocabulary in MB dictionary.

LittleBahamut · Jul 25, 2006

Very sexy car! 👍 I think Mercedes-Benz have a long way to achieve "lightweight." So much wiring and luxury technology in the car makes it heavy.

exigeracer · Jul 25, 2006

Those seats look splendid!

I like how they blurred out the tunnel in the interior shot, I thought the VW was the one that could drive itself?

Holdenhsvgtsr · Jul 25, 2006

fangorn_forest
the old Lotus-tuned 190E 2.5 I6.

you mean cosworth?

opendriver · Jul 25, 2006

I still think they should have put the SLR motor in it...

Danny · Jul 25, 2006

But then the SL would have been rendered useless.

And such a pretty car can't be scrapped, ever! :scared:

Eric. · Jul 26, 2006

Seems like a pretty big performance gain for just losing 100lbs. Too bad none of the pictures are showing for me.

iceburns288 · Jul 26, 2006

If they made this car (the SLK55, the regular version) with a stick I might buy one. But they don't. Oh well, their loss, not mine.

TheCracker · Jul 27, 2006

A girl's car - are girls bothered about CF roofs?

Danny · Jul 27, 2006

Maybe ViXen...

jimihemmy · Jul 27, 2006

Toronado
Does Mercedes as a whole even have a MT? As far as I can remember, the last stick they had was the one in the CLK-GTR.

Of course MB has MT!
They only offer it in certain models of the C-Class (since the new 203 chassis) and SLK (since 1998) here in the US. I'm pretty sure you can get it in other models/classes in Europe.

Holdenhsvgtsr · Jul 27, 2006

Toronado
Does Mercedes as a whole even have a MT? As far as I can remember, the last stick they had was the one in the CLK-GTR.

that was a semi auto flappy paddle thingy

YSSMAN · Jul 27, 2006

Is everything going to a flappy-paddle gearbox? Not that its a bad thing, but I prefer to row my own gears now and then...

Holdenhsvgtsr · Jul 27, 2006

YSSMAN
Is everything going to a flappy-paddle gearbox? Not that its a bad thing, but I prefer to row my own gears now and then...

its a race car.....

Poverty · Jul 27, 2006

Im still waiting for the planned and overdue stripped out SL63. That car will make some M6 heads roll, and possibly some porsches and lambos too.

harrytuttle · Jul 28, 2006

YSSMAN
Is everything going to a flappy-paddle gearbox? Not that its a bad thing, but I prefer to row my own gears now and then...

Paddle-toys add to the racing (fastest from A to B) experience, but really detract from the driving (get involved in every aspect of motoring) experience. Flappy-paddles should only be done one way: a real gearbox that's automated. Not a slushybox with electronic buttons that sometimes do / sometimes don't override the automatic transitions. Any manufacturer that wants flippers on their steering wheels better have copied either BMW's SMG or Audi's DSG. All else is poo. :yuck:

YSSMAN · Jul 28, 2006

@ Holdenhsvgtr: Yes, I know the GTR was a racecar. But I was referencing the rest of the general move twards flappy-paddle gearboxes on not only Benzes, but damn near everything else as well.

Now they have them on Corvettes, but they don't work the right way. Instead of pulling backward on the paddles like everyone else, you push forward on the paddles with your thumbs through the wheel. GM's reasoning is that it improves the learning curve (I doubt it) on flappy-paddle gearboxes, but it just doesn't seem natural to me.

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