"Evo" SLK anyone..?

[BearFace]

Came across an article today in an early 2006 edition of CAR, in which they claimed an upgraded, 400BHP version of the SLK 55 AMG (with lightened body/interior, lowered and uprated suspension, bigger wheels, more vents etc, etc...) was going to be made available, albeit in limited numbers. The suggestion was that MB were going down the road of offering no-nonsense, stripped-out road/track cars on certain model-ranges, for which there'd be a significant premium.

As an example, the suggested price for the upgraded SLK was £75k.

Is this just speculation, or will MB really be doing such a thing? Just curious.

 

[GrahamC230K]

Is this just speculation, or will MB really be doing such a thing? Just curious.

I'd like to see them try. It's not really their thing is it?

 

[Shude]

I'd like to see them try. It's not really their thing is it?

Try searching for the "AMG ultimate experience SLK". It's basically the F1 safety car with a few mods.

 

[GrahamC230K]

I was thinking of a car they could produce and market to an audience that could afford it.

 

[Shude]

I was thinking of a car they could produce and market to an audience that could afford it.

I was just talking about the car in the original post

 

[GrahamC230K]

I was just talking about the car in the original post

Cheeky chappy!

Following your lead I think we both are.

For some reason I have Elise and M3 CSL in my mind. I can't picture MB making a car like or competetive with either.

I'm not saying either are what the SLK "Evo" would be pitched against, just thinking out loud.

 

[BearFace]

Cheeky chappy!

Following your lead I think we both are.

For some reason I have Elise and M3 CSL in my mind. I can't picture MB making a car like or competetive with either.

I'm not saying either are what the SLK "Evo" would be pitched against, just thinking out loud.

The M3 CSL wasn't exactly a major hit over here, as it was just too focused and too compromised for an everyday car, which is essentially what the M3 was designed to be. BMW subsequently made a CS version, which had more in the way of refinement and creature comforts, but which still offered a more focused driving experience than the standard M3. It sold pretty well apparently, which suggests that people will pay more for an upgraded version of an already-established performance model.

Despite this, I can't help thinking that a highly focused version of the SLK55 would have a very narrow appeal indeed, and that anyone with a £75k budget for what essentially would be a trackday car / weekend toy would probably want to consider something more specialised, like a used GT3 911. For half the price, a whole range of highly-focused track cars spring to mind, such as the Lotus Exige, the Ariel Atom, the Radical range and of course the Mitsubishi Evo, among many others.

I dunno. Perhaps a limited-run SLK55 special would appeal to enough buyers, despite the silly price-tag. Like you said, it just doesn't seem very becoming of MB...

 

[imadoofus]

It is real, and it's got a fixed roof (made of unpainted CF). Oddly, considering how they're yakking on about saving weight, it still has roll-over hoops behind the seats, even though the roof is fixed!

PJ

 

[Rose Chap]

Perhaps a limited-run SLK55 special would appeal to enough buyers, despite the silly price-tag. Like you said, it just doesn't seem very becoming of MB...

It may not be 'becoming' of MB, but its definitely becoming of what AMG are trying to achieve. Based on what I've read, AMG vehicles are set to become more hardcore and focused on driver appeal, the start of which can be seen by the new 6.3 V8 developed by AMG, rather than AMG tuning an existing MB engine.

If I remember correctly, I think that in the future its not going to be possible to buy a full AMG body kit for your new MB either, just to keep AMGs a bit separate and special.

 

[gary350]

See link

http://www.worldcarfans.com/news.cf...cedes/mercedes-benz-slk-55-amg-special-series

gary