What's the news?
Another nameplate is being dredged up from the automotive past and this time it's Mercedes-Benz at the pump, revitalising the SLC badge. It's being used for a facelifted and rebranded SLK roadster.
Exterior
It's a very minimal facelift in the change to SLC from SLK, with the 'R172' generation vehicle looking very similar in post-update format to the variant that has been on sale since 2011. Look for a steeper raked, diamond-pattern radiator grille, a subtly revised front bumper, LED daytime running lights integrated into the headlamps (which can be upgraded to an LED Intelligent Light System for a cost), fresh alloy wheel designs of 16- to 18 inches in size and LED rear lights, which are, er, a fraction narrower than before. Tape measures at the ready, Mercedes spotters!
Perhaps the SLC's USP, that folding metal 'vario-roof', has been subjected to some improvements. It can now be opened or closed on the move at speeds of up to 40km/h, while there's an automatic boot separator included... as an option though, with vario-roof convenience or Keyless-Go. Heated seats, Airscarf and the Magic Sky Control (which lightens or darkens the glass roof panel at the touch of a button) all mean whether hood up or down, the SLC should be a pleasant cruiser.
Interior
Mercedes has improved the Comand Online infotainment system on the SLC, as well as beefing up the Audio 20CD entertainment package, while the 335-litre boot remains unchanged. Other than that, it's a few minor styling updates. There are some new aluminium trim parts, with a carbon fibre finish available. The instrument cluster now has twin-tube dials with black faces and red needles, there's a multifunction 4.5-inch TFT screen incorporated between said dials and Mercedes has drafted in a redesigned sports steering wheel with an SLC-embossed gear lever (in the 9G-Tronic automatic models, at least). You also won't burn bits of your exposed skin on the SLC's upholstery, as sun-reflecting leather is used all over; you can finish those seats in two new colours as well, Saddle Brown or Platinum White (mmmm, practical).
Mechanicals
Despite the dropping of the 'K' for the 'C', a lot of the new roadster's hardware will be familiar. The four-cylinder turbocharged models in the middle of the range - the SLCs 200, 300 and 250 d - are carry-over drivetrains; these feature either a 2.0-litre petrol (200 and 300) or a 2.1-litre diesel in the 250 d. The new boys are the SLC 180 - using the joint-developed Renault-Nissan 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine - and the Mercedes-AMG SLC 43, powered by the only non four-cylinder unit in the range.
Power (for the non-AMG models) starts from 156hp on the SLC 180 and runs up to 245hp on the SLC 300, with torque anywhere from 250- to 370Nm for the same models. The solitary diesel SLC 250 d delivers 204hp at 3,800rpm and 500Nm of torque from 1,600- to 1,800rpm, while the monster SLC 43 churns out 367hp at 5,500- to 6,000rpm and 520Nm from 2,000- to 4,200rpm. It makes these numbers courtesy of a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine.
All models are available with the nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox, although it's a cost option on the SLCs 180 and 200, where a six-speed manual is standard fit. Performance is impressive across the line-up - the SLC 180 does 0-100km/h in 7.9 seconds (8.1 as an auto) and a top speed of 226km/h (223km/h auto), while the 200 improves to 7.0 seconds (6.9 auto) and 240km/h (237km/h auto). The SLC 300 will be rapid enough for most tastes, ticking off 0-100km/h in 5.8 seconds and running on to a limited 250km/h, although the AMG variant obviously takes the honours here - it has the same limited top speed and a 4.7-second benchmark sprint. The SLC 250 d is bang in the middle of the range: it does 0-100km/h in 6.6 seconds and has a 245km/h top speed.
The diesel version is obviously on top in terms of efficiency, though, as 64.2mpg (4.4 litres/100km) and 114g/km CO2 are the best SLC returns of all. The non-AMG petrol engines achieve anything between 46.3mpg (6.1 litres/100km) and 142g/km CO2 (SLC 200 manual), up to 50.4mpg (5.6 litres/100km) and 127g/km (SLC 180 with either gearbox for economy, manual for CO2). The SLC 43 stands alone, returning 36.2mpg (7.8 litres/100km) and 178g/km.
Dynamic Select, with its driving mode variable characteristics, is offered on the SLC 250 d and 300 models, while Dynamic Handling (a cost option on all cars) brings in a 10mm lower chassis, adaptive damping, direct steering and ESP Dynamic Cornering Assist; the AMG gets its own chassis settings and a sports exhaust system too. Mercedes will also offer a vast array of safety and driver assist technology systems.
Anything else?
Since it was launched in 1996, the SLK has sold 670,000 units worldwide - impressive stuff, and only 330,000 off the total of Mazda MX-5s sold since 1989, making the Merc one of the most popular roadsters on the planet. The SLC (the change of name marks a neat end to 20 years of the SLK) will be looking to continue that sales success into 2016 and beyond, with the first cars available to order in Q1 of the New Year. Irish pricing and specifications have yet to be announced.