UPDATE: Hi res gallery of beauty and actions shots added
Mercedes-Benz has revealed its most powerful SLK to date, the latest SLK55 AMG, ahead of its Frankfurt world debut. As the range topping performance flagship of the third-generation SLK that was launched in June, the SLK55 AMG gets a new AMG 5.5-litre V8 engine with 415 hp and 540 Nm of torque, good for a 0-100 km/h dash in 4.6 seconds. Top speed is, as usual, restricted to 250 km/h.
No downsized twin-turbo V6 here, the SLK55 gets a naturally aspirated V8 with a “typical exhaust growl which only a large-displacement eight-cylinder engine can produce,” says Merc. This new M152 unit is based on the AMG M157 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine that debut last year, and seeing service in the AMG versions of the E, CLS, S and CL.
Identical design features include the displacement, bore/stroke, distance between cylinders, ECO stop/start system and direct injection technology. Things unique to the M152 are the new intake air ducting, new cylinder heads, the modified valve drive, an adapted oil supply system and an optimised crankcase.
AMG boasts that no other petrol engine features direct injection at 2,900 psi pressure, spray-guided combustion and piezo injectors, all in conjunction with map-controlled cylinder shut-off, an all-aluminum crankcase with “spectacle” honing, four-valve technology with continuous camshaft adjustment, a high compression ratio of 12.6:1, stop/start and generator management – while revving to a maximum speed of over 7,000 rpm.
Did you notice ‘cylinder shut off’ from the list? That’s a new feature developed completely by Mercedes-AMG where cylinders two, three, five and eight are cut off under partial load, which lowers fuel consumption considerably.
Available over a wide range from 800 to 3,600 rpm if the driver has selected transmission mode C (for Controlled Efficiency), there’s still 230 Nm available in four-pot mode (enough for regular driving), and the reactivation process at 3,600 rpm takes no more than 30 milliseconds. By the way, this tech is also used in the 750 hp V8 engines in Formula 1.
Another new tech is the AMG sports exhaust system featuring a flap on each side. This resolves the trade off between an emotional exhaust note during spirited driving and a more discreet engine sound in the partial load range.
At engine speeds below 2,000 rpm the flaps remain closed. When the driver accelerates, the flaps open at an angle of 15, then 30 and up to 50 degrees. Under full load, the flaps are fully opened so one can hear the full AMG rumble.
Power is transferred to the rear wheels by the AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic auto ‘box with three transmission modes: Controlled Efficiency (C), Sport (S) and Manual (M). The automatic rev-matching function when downshifting shortens shift times, while a double turbine torsional damper with centrifugal pendulum adapts to engine speed and helps minimise vibrations in four-cylinder mode.
To improve handling, the SLK55 comes with AMG sports suspension with Torque Vectoring Brakes and AMG Direct-Steer system, the latter with a parameter function adapted to match the suspension.
There’s also an AMG-exclusive 3-stage ESP that gives individual control choices at the touch of a button: “ESP ON”, “SPORT Handling Mode” and “ESP OFF” for the very brave or very good.
After all the meat, here’s the garnish. The SLK55 is set apart by AMG light-alloy wheels, exclusive AMG body styling with AMG spoiler lip and two chrome-plated twin tailpipes at the rear.
Inside, the highlights are the AMG-specific analog clock featuring an IWC design, the AMG Performance steering wheel, with its flattened top and bottom sections (also has aluminum shift paddles), and the AMG instrument cluster plus main menu.
A hi res gallery of beauty and action shots is after the jump. Good wallpaper material!
[zenphotopress number=999 album=2550]
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NICE!
No turbos, but still torquey…
that engine cover looks a bit funny though. heh
Now, its for man..
Wow!!! Excellent !!!
OMG…powerful and stylish
Torquey also for this, even no turbos…
heh? why the fuss mr NooB?
540Nm from 5.5L is not impressive. The lump in 458 also has that figure while having 1 Liter less in displacement.
everything is not exactly how it seems on paper. the slk and 458 are totally different cars.. and the way both engines make power is also entirely different. im pretty sure the driving character is different also.
so whats the fuss?
Finally get to see some muscles on the SLK!
AMG = Ah My God!!
with all that meat it’s sure easy to have another second faster 0-100 launching speed, but why AMG reserved that to 4.6s ? so AMG could ask for extra money for launch perf upgrade package?
In my opinion, I think this is by far the best looking SLK throughout the years
i will wait for the new boxster..thanks.
So.. this Merc got YPVS. hehe
The stearing borrow from HONDA CIVIC?
can kill yankee’s v8…
That flat nose made the side profile ghastly.
Ermm when 8 cylinders shut off from a V8 engine, means the car ain’t going anywhere, am I right? Or just a fancy name for start and stop engine?
this car just makes the SL redundant!!
@@” the front look a bit like SLS AMG63 also.. benz always have the luxury and ‘lou pan’ look.. no wonder many business man in m’sia drive benz… 4.6s..if put RM50 on the dash board.. put tak larat ambik.. the g-force so strong…
Class+luxury brand+good looking+powerful engine = perfect car!
Badass looking car!