Autoblog

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2008 Mercedes SLK55 AMG

It sits there, all tension and sinew, ready to pounce on lesser cars. Start it up and it barks with a clear V8 voice that thumps off the neighbor's house, setting them discreetly peeking from behind their lace curtains. This is an SLK? Oh yeah. No longer a blocky Benz with dwarfism, the SLK55 AMG ripples with muscle and delivers speed like a spin kick to the temple. A bad-ass Mercedes, indeed.


Photos Copyright ©2008 Dan Roth / Weblogs, Inc.

click above for high res media and live images of the new SLK

Mercedes Benz showed off its newly-restyled-for-'09 SLK350 (closed roof) and SLK55 AMG (open roof) in Detroit this week. While the platform remains the same, the cars feature restyled noses and tails that bring the mini roadster into line with the company's SL and SLR uber roadsters. Whether or not it's an improvement we'll leave up to you to decide. While the non-American markets will get the option of selecting an SLK200 Kompressor or SLK280 model, we will need to be content with the thoroughly revised 3.5L V6 or unchanged 5.5L V8 editions, with 305 or 360HP respectively. No matter which SLK suits your needs, you'll still get that nifty vario-top that goes from wind-in-the-hair convertible to cozy coupe in a blink. You'll also get new "direct-steer" suspension geometry, a new interior, and the company's new "NTG 2.5 generation of audio and telematics componentry." You can read more about that in the press release that follows the jump. For now we'll leave you with our gallery of live and media pics.

[Source: Mercedes Benz]

Click image to enlarge

Who does AMG think it is? BRABUS?

Mercedes' in-house tuning arm is upping the ante on three of its delectable, monstrously-powered passenger cars by offering optional performance packages that further enhance their dynamics.

The lucky recipients of the AMG Performance Studio's additional love are the CLS 63, SLK 55, and SL 55 -- three cars we'd gladly welcome into the Autoblog garage in their stock forms. Just the thought of even better versions makes us feel all warm and fuzzy. The full list of modifications made to each car is detailed after the jump, but suffice to say that no matter which one you choose, expect suspension, brake, wheel/tire, and appearance upgrades that make the cars even more well-rounded and provide a stronger street presence than stock AMG machines.

Pricing for the upgrades is set at 8,236 € for the CLS, 5,220 € for the SLK, and 11,948 € for the SL. If you're already paying the premium for an AMG ride, why not just go all the way and take the performance package, too? You know you want to.

(Pics, press release after the jump)

[Source:DaimlerChrysler]

The opening of the AMG Performance Studio is being marked by the introduction of its first model, the SLK 55 AMG Black Series. You may recall the Black Series is one of three series being produced by the Performance Studio, the other being the high-end, track ready Signature Series and the Edition lineup featuring mostly cosmetic changes to AMG production models.

The SLK 55 AMG Black Series is a special coupe version of the V8 AMG roadster with a carbon fiber roof and AMG's 5.5-liter V8 producing 400 horsepower and 383 ft-lbs. of torque. Other special items include 19-inch AMG forged wheels that offer a 68 lb. weight savings versus the standard car's 18-inch alloys, an AMG adjustable sports suspension and composite brakes with six-piston calipers up front. The coupe also gets a redesigned front apron, nice looking carbon fiber side air vents and wider front wings. All told, the extensive use of carbon fiber, the absence of the standard car's retractable hardtop and the lighter wheels lead to a total net weight savings of around 100 lbs. The interior also gets swathed in carbon fiber trim, although more for visual impact than function.

Only 100 SLK 55 AMG Black Series will be produced by AMG at a cost of €107,300. Delivery has already started, so if you didn't get one yet, you're likely out of luck.

(More photos and AMG's full press release are after the jump)

[Source: DaimlerChrysler via eMercedesBenz]

click for high-rez version

Leave it to AMG to take a car further than anyone would ever dream. Mercedes-Benz has announced a new special edition of the SLK 55 AMG that features many serious sporting enhancements. At the center of the action is an AMG enhanced 5.5L V8 that produces a prodigious amount of power for such a little coupe: 400 hp and 384 ft-lbs. of torque. And you heard us right, the SLK in this iteration is no longer a drop-top but a closed roof coupe. The new ceiling is made out of carbon-reinforced plastic that lowers the vehicle's weight and center of gravity. The meaty powerplant is mated to an AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC transmission and propels this SLK to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. Other highlights include a restyled front fascia and other styling tweaks that are mostly functional and provide better air cooling. Larger brakes are located behind 19-inch AMG wheels and Merc has even included a height-adjustable torsion sports suspension.

MB was mum on the availability of the special edition SLK 55 AMG in the United States, but it will cost EUR 107,300 overseas ($135,713) including 16% VAT.

Check out more high-rez shots of the special edition SLK 55 AMG after the jump along with MB's full press release...

[Source: Mercedes-Benz via eMercedesBenz]