Thank you for all of your kind words, comments and messages about our new (to us) Kleemann SLK 55K S8 - the name is quite a mouthful!
Our first proper modern-classic tuner car. For those interested in the performance, here are a few key statistics - it’s very very quick now but it was next level for a sports car back in 2006!
Kleemann increased the power output to 604 PS and 770 Nm (570 lb-ft) and electronically limited the top speed to 300 km/h (186 mph) because that was the limit of the tyres available at the time (in the sizes required).
Most staggering is that back in 2006 the SLK 55K S8 was capable of accelerating to 100 km/h (62 mph) from a stand-still in just 3.7 seconds, and even 0-200 km/h (124 mph) comes up in just 12.3 seconds.
For context the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren was a hypercar engineered by McLaren and part of the the in-period “holy trinity” along with the Ferrari Enzo and Porsche Carrera GT.
In 2006 the SLR power output was 626 PS and 780 Nm (585 lb-ft) and the top speed was a remarkable 334 km/h (207 mph), then incredible for a comfortable cruiser with automatic transmission.
The SLR was also capable of accelerating to 100 km/h (62 mph) from a stand-still in just 3.8 seconds, and 0-200 km/h (124 mph) comes up in 10.6 seconds.
All data is from the manufacturer’s official press releases in-period.
Incredibly the SLK 55K S8 was marginally quicker to 100 km/h (3.7 vs 3.8 seconds) almost certainly due to both cars being traction limited and perhaps the SLK aided by having a slightly better torque to weight ratio.
For the dash to 200 km/h and top speed the SLR is comfortably quicker and faster, thanks to vastly superior aerodynamics - as you would expect when comparing a hypercar with a tuned version of an entry level sports car!
I’m fairly sure that with the right tyres and electronic speed limit lifted, the SLK 55K S8 would close the gap to the SLR’s top speed, possibly just braking the magic 200 mph barrier.
Congrats.
