Autoblog

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, First Drives, Luxury

A Simple Black Dress With A Leather-Wrapped Baseball Bat

Yes, it's a tired trope. But if there's a pair of well-off empty-nesters, the husband drives a Mercedes-Benz SL and the wife has an SLK. Stereotypes become stereotypes for a reason: As often as not, they're true.

But to dismiss this latest SLK as yet another Executive Assistant-spec coupe/cabrio is to miss three important letters on the boot: A, M and G. Yet again, the crew from Affalterbach have butched up the smallest offering in the Benz lineup, taking the proverbial velvet hammer to the "Chick Car" cliche. The rear wheels of the 2012 SLK55 AMG are driven by V8 power and its brakes and suspension bits have been beefed up for the occasional back road bonanza or high-speed highway assault. And unlike the BMW Z4 that's simply begging for the M treatment, Mercedes actually has die Hoden to build a testosterone-infused droptop. And we can't thank them enough.

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2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG will seriously tatter your toupee [w/video]

Michael Harley — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Convertible, Performance, Videos, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

The smallest roadster in the automaker's lineup is all-new for 2012, and hardly in need of more power, but that hasn't stopped Mercedes-Benz from shoehorning its AMG-tuned 5.5-liter V8 under the hood. The naturally-aspirated M152 engine, featuring direct injection, is rated at 415 horsepower at 6,800 rpm with 398 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm. The standard gearbox is AMG's Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic automatic with three electronic modes. Rev-matching on downshifts is also standard. According to Benz, the two-seat SLK55 AMG will launch itself to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.

As expected, the range-topping SLK arrives with AMG sports suspension with Direct-Steer system, Torque Vectoring Brakes and three-stage ESP. The AMG high-performance braking system includes four-piston front calipers and drilled rotors at each corner.

In addition to the standard upscale SLK equipment, including a power-operated retractable hard top with available Magic Sky Control sunroof panel, the AMG is visually differentiated by its SLS AMG-inspired bodywork and aerodynamics package. The cabin also gets the full AMG treatment, with unique cosmetics and upholstery designed to match the performance.

The 2012 SLK55 AMG won't arrive in U.S. showrooms until early 2012, but we say get your deposit in early. Pull up a chair, get comfortable, and watch (and hear) the SLK55 AMG in motion in the video after the jump.

Continue reading 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG will seriously tatter your toupee [w/video]

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG will seriously tatter your toupee [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz details new variable-displacement V8 for SLK55 AMG

Noah Joseph — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Convertible, Performance, Technology, Mercedes-Benz

Balancing power and economy is a tricky business, especially for Mercedes-Benz and its in-house performance division, AMG. On the one hand, a buyer's conscience demands improved fuel economy and reduced emissions. But on the other, AMG knows what its customers really want is pure, unadulterated muscle.

Eventually, that dichotomy is expected to amount to the exclusive use of turbochargers across the AMG range, allowing the German automaker to reduce displacement while increasing output. But in the meantime, Affalterbach has found another solution: cylinder deactivation.

The latest AMG powerplant, labeled M152, is based closely on the M157 engine that already powers the new CL63 AMG and its four-door counterpart, the S63 AMG. What makes this engine different, first of all, is the removal of the twin turbochargers. It also makes use of a new air intake, cylinder heads, valve drive, oil system, crankcase and, most importantly, a Formula One-derived cylinder deactivation system that allows it to run - when so selected - on four pistons when conditions don't require all eight. Click through the jump to continue reading.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz details new variable-displacement V8 for SLK55 AMG

Mercedes-Benz details new variable-displacement V8 for SLK55 AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Jul 2011 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Clearest look yet at 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 19:24:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Paris Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz, Design/Style, Luxury

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK - Click above for high-res image gallery

We've been staring at spy shots of the forthcoming 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK for months, but now we have our best look yet at what Benz' baby coupe will look like once the camo tape is peeled away.

The grille gets a nose job to match its larger SLS AMG sibling, and the photo above reveals it to be a more pleasing aesthetic than in previous shots. Also, it seems the new SLK wants to play with the cool kids who are all wearing LED running lights.

If our intel holds up, the reason behind the larger grille isn't just to mimic the gorgeous gullwing, but to feed the new 476 horsepower, twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6. If that mill is going in any SLK, it'll be wearing an AMG badge on the back, and we're hoping to get a better look when we stop by the Mercedes-Benz booth at the upcoming Paris Motor Show.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK

Spy Shots: Clearest look yet at 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Väth V58 turns up the wick on Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG to the tune of 565 HP

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Performance, Europe, Mercedes-Benz

Väth V58 - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG is already a fierce little roadster, what with its 5.5-liter naturally aspirated V8 cranking out 355 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque. But for those who want something a bit more bonkers, the folks at Väth have just the solution, by way of the V58 - an SLK55-based beastie that produces - get ready - 565 hp and 568 lb-ft, gains of 210 and 192, respectively. Holy moly.

How does such a thing come to life? Väth starts by upping the Merc's engine displacement to 5.8 liters and adding things like a new compressor, new pistons, high-grade steel catalysts, a sport air filter and much more. In addition to these mechanical tweaks, the engine's electronics have been re-calibrated, and the end result is an SLK that will max out at 193 mph. To manage all of that added power, a new set of high-performance brakes have been added up front. Vath also offers a locking differential and a new fuel cooler as optional upgrades.

Other exterior changes include hot new 19-inch wheels and a custom suspension that can be lowered anywhere from 20 to 65 millimeters, depending on user specification. An aerodynamic package is also on hand, featuring a front lip and rear diffuser made of carbon fiber. Inside, Väth has added the usual decorative touches to the climate control system, ashtray, shift gate, shift knob, door coatings and seat adjustment controls.

Naturally, all of this extra kit comes at substantial cost, and for all of the upgrades that we've listed, you'll need to shell out €55,512 (that's just over $75,900 based on current exchange rates). For that price, you could buy two SLK55s and tie them together, but there's no doubt that the Väth creation would provide buckets and buckets of fun. Hit the jump for the full details in Väth's press release and check out our high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Vath V58

[Source: Väth]

Continue reading Väth V58 turns up the wick on Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG to the tune of 565 HP

Väth V58 turns up the wick on Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG to the tune of 565 HP originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2008 Mercedes SLK55 AMG

Dan Roth — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Convertible, Europe, Mercedes-Benz, AMG

2008 Mercedes SLK55 AMG - Click above for high-res image gallery

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.

Gallery: Review: Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG

Continue reading Review: 2008 Mercedes SLK55 AMG

Review: 2008 Mercedes SLK55 AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes tuner Kleemann drops GTK Concept

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 20:38:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Tuners, Coupe, Mercedes-Benz

click above pic to view more images of the Kleeman GTK Concept

Well-known Mercedes tuner Kleemann has released the first official rendering of its own car, an in-house production called the Kleemann GTK. The carbon fiber skin is wrapped around an SLK body, and the design language is "based on the unique Kleemann design code of elegance and simplicity acknowledging the Nordic design traditions of simple and organic shapes." That apparently means a Reventon (again with the Reventon) snout, a Castagna Aznom front fender treatment, and sharper SLK lines from the A-pillar back.

The GTK is actually based on the SLK 55, and gets a Kleemann Kompressor system, 20-inch Kleeman wheels and 8-piston Kleemann brakes in front and 4-piston out back. That "kompressor" means the little roadster puts 540 HP and 516 lb-ft through its 7-speed auto box. Twenty-inch Kleeman rims ride rubber slivers called Toyo T1-R tires designed specifically for the car. According to Kleemann, it gets to six-oh in 3.7 seconds and runs up to 180+ MPH. Kleemann isn't going to do mass production, so for those of you with the means (lots), place your call now.

[Source: Kleemann]

Gallery: Kleemann GTK Concept

Continue reading Mercedes tuner Kleemann drops GTK Concept

Mercedes tuner Kleemann drops GTK Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Oct 2007 20:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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