What's all this about?
The naming policy at Mercedes, simplified last year, is coming into effect across the whole range. So far, we've seen the all-new version of the GLK turn into the GLC, while the ML and GL SUVs have recently become the GLE and GLS models respectively during recent facelifts. So here's another 'new' nameplate for one of Merc's top-sellers: this is the SLC.
SLC - is it a two-door coupé like the glorious C107 model from the 1970s?
Erm, no. It's basically the facelifted SLK. After 20 years on sale and 670,000 units sold, Mercedes has altered the SLK's branding to SLC for the facelift of the R172-generation. This (apparently) ties it in more closely with the C-Class, with which the two-seat roadster shares so much hardware.
How much of the car has changed?
Not a lot, actually. Visually, a diamond-pattern front grille, slightly different exterior lights all round, a heavily revised instrument cluster, a new steering wheel and some extra aluminium trim in the cabin is about your lot. The SLK's... sorry, SLC's USP, its folding metal 'vario-roof', remains intact, although now you can raise and lower it at speeds of up to 25mph. Even the bulk of the engines are carried over.
Which engines are we talking about?
In a five-model line-up for the SLC, only the bookends at either end of the range are new. The SLC 200, 300 and 250 d models are the same as the old SLK equivalents: the petrol models use two versions of the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder unit, while the 250 d has the 2.1-litre diesel that has seen service since (seemingly) Thatcher was still in power. The new boys are the SLC 180, utilising a 156hp/250Nm 1.6-litre four-pot petrol (it's the engine developed jointly with the Renault-Nissan Alliance), and the Mercedes-AMG SLC 43, which is the main point of interest for we car enthusiasts. Affalterbach has dropped in the biturbo 3.0-litre V6 seen in the C 450 AMG Sport, its 367hp and 520Nm more than enough for the SLC's diddy body.
What's the AMG's performance like?
Blistering, with 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds and a top speed electronically limited to 155mph. The only other SLC to hit the German maximum velocity is the 300, which also does 0-62mph in 5.8 seconds. The other cars take from 6.6 (SLC 250 d) to 8.1 seconds (SLC 180 auto) to do the sprint, while top speeds range from 139- (SLC 180 auto) to 152mph (250 d). Economy fans should plump for the diesel (64.2mpg and 114g/km CO2) and avoid the SLC 43 (36.2mpg and 178g/km), while the rest of the roadsters sit between 46.3- to 50.4mpg and 127- to 142g/km CO2.
You mentioned the SLC 180 auto above - what are the transmission choices?
All cars are available with Merc's nine-speed 9G-Tronic auto, although the SLC 180 and SLC 200 models come with a six-speed manual as standard equipment, meaning the automatic is a cost option. Other toys include Dynamic Select (standard on the 250 d and 300 models) and optional Dynamic Handling - this sees the SLC benefit from a 10mm lower chassis, adaptive damping, direct steering and ESP Dynamic Cornering Assist.
Can you tell me prices and order times?
No on the first score, and sometime after mid-January 2016 on the second, as that's when the Mercedes SLC will go on sale in its homeland of Germany.
Matt Robinson - 15 Dec 2015