MOTORING NEWS - The Mercedes-Benz SLC, SL, and SL AMG range of rich man's roadsters have undergone some serious cosmetic external go-fast styling and stylish living quarters upgrades.
Smart cosmetic surgery
The four-model SLC roadsters (formerly known as SLK) sport a new diamond grille, classier rear and front bumpers and two distinctive powerdome ridges on its long, sloping bonnet.
The four-model SLC roadsters (formerly known as SLK) sport a new diamond grille, classier rear and front bumpers and two distinctive powerdome ridges on its long, sloping bonnet.
The living quarters of these 'new' roadsters are furnished with new design and trim tones and the infotainment system has also been upgraded to Apple Carplay. A handy new feature which adds to the appeal of the SLC and SL cars is a roof which can now be retracted while travelling up to 40km/h at the push of a button.
The updated cars use the same engines as the previous versions and at the recent media introduction I drove the SLC 200 and the SLC 300 on circular road trip from the Swartkops raceway via Hartbeespoort, the Cradle of Mankind and back.
I enjoyed the slick performance of the forced-fed 135kW/300Nm 2.0-litre engine/automatic transmission combination of the 200 but my choice would be the pricier, but more powerful 180kW/370Nm/9-speed combo in the 300 that feels a tad more planted and responsive and is noticeably quicker off the mark.
The updated cars use the same engines as the previous versions and at the recent media introduction I drove the SLC 200 and the SLC 300 on circular road trip from the Swartkops raceway via Hartbeespoort, the Cradle of Mankind and back.
I enjoyed the slick performance of the forced-fed 135kW/300Nm 2.0-litre engine/automatic transmission combination of the 200 but my choice would be the pricier, but more powerful 180kW/370Nm/9-speed combo in the 300 that feels a tad more planted and responsive and is noticeably quicker off the mark.
These two cars are the least expensive of the range yet they underline the versatility of these popular roadsters, whether utilised for daily relaxed commuting, comfortable cruising or for sporty weekend fun along winding roads.
Both cars were a lot of fun to drive but the excitement levels rocketed when I was given the opportunity to drive the entire new range around the Swartkops Raceway. Here it came as no surprise that the tarmac-scarring AMG SL63 and AMG SL 65 AMG produced the most fun although they were also the most demanding and challenging to drive of the pack.
Both cars were a lot of fun to drive but the excitement levels rocketed when I was given the opportunity to drive the entire new range around the Swartkops Raceway. Here it came as no surprise that the tarmac-scarring AMG SL63 and AMG SL 65 AMG produced the most fun although they were also the most demanding and challenging to drive of the pack.
