The V8 powerplant has a displacement of 5439 cc, develops 360
hp at 5750 RPM and a maximum torque of
376 lb-ft at 4000 RPM, and
accelerates the two-seater from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.9
seconds. The 125 mph mark is duly reached after 17.5
seconds, on the way to a top speed of 155 mph
(electronically limited). With its impressive performance characteristics and
typical AMG V8 vocals, the SLK 55 AMG ensures unmistakably dynamic driving
thrills for its privileged passengers.
The AMG engine is laced with high-tech inspiration from the race-track, boasting
extremely light cast aluminium pistons, oil-spray nozzles to cool the piston
crowns, variably adjusted camshafts, a newly developed twin-pipe intake system
and a specially adjusted variable intake manifold.
7 Speed Automatic
Transmission
The new 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission makes its AMG debut in the
SLK 55 AMG, enhanced by the fine-tuning of AMG-SPEEDSHIFT, steering-wheel
gearshift buttons and a manual driving program. The car's sports performance is
the main beneficiary of the transmission's seven gears and the small changes in
engine speed essential for optimum ratios. The torque converter lock-up from
first gear further optimises dynamics and efficiency by avoiding power loss in
the converter.
The 7G-TRONIC transmission with AMG-SPEEDSHIFT can adapt to both a dynamic and a
more laid-back style of driving. The driver can choose whether gear changes
should take place automatically or manually, using the Touchshift function of
the selector lever or – similarly to the system in Formula 1 cars – via two
gearshift buttons on the AMG sports steering wheel. The "M" program allows the
driver to exploit the pulling power generated by the V8 engine more efficiently,
as the transmission does not automatically shift down under full load and
kick-down, but instead always stays firmly in the gear selected. Plus, in the
manual driving program, AMG-SPEEDSHIFT does not automatically shift up when the
engine speed ceiling is reached. This enables those drivers with particularly
finely honed sporting ambitions to make even better use of the car's majestic
performance potential.
Other technical talents of AMG-SPEEDSHIFT include torque converter lock-up,
active braking downshift and the "optimum gear function", which team up with the
more spontaneous and up to 35-percent faster gear-change to deliver an extremely
direct driving experience. ...Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG: Page 2
