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High-Quality, Stylish Interior
Functional, stylish,
high-quality: the interior design of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG is also
reminiscent of its bigger brother, the SLS AMG Roadster. Associations with the
super sports car are evoked courtesy of the four air vents in the style of jet
engines, as well as the center console finished in brushed aluminum. Placed in
the center of the dashboard is an AMG-specific analog clock featuring an IWC
design. The AMG Performance steering wheel, with its flattened top and bottom
sections, also boasts metal trim, aluminum shift paddles and grip areas finished
in perforated leather. The clearly-arranged AMG instrument cluster is positioned
perfectly in the driver's field of vision and features four circular
instruments, distinctive dials and the AMG main menu. The button for the
transmission modes C, S and M is also located in the center console.
The
AMG sports seats feature optimized lateral support and premium leather
upholstery with AMG badges in the backrests and standard AIRSCARF necklevel
heating system.
New Naturally Aspirated Eight-Cylinder Engine
The high-tech M152 motor in the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG dazzles with a
combination of advanced technologies which is unequalled anywhere in the world.
No other gasoline engine features direct injection at a pressure of 2,900 psi,
spray-guided combustion and piezo injectors, all in conjunction with
map-controlled cylinder shut-off, an all-aluminum crankcase with "spectacle"
honing, fourvalve technology with continuous camshaft adjustment, a high
compression ratio of 12.6 : 1, a stop/start system and generator management -
while revving to a maximum speed of over 7,000 rpm.
The AMG Cylinder
Management cylinder shut-off system - developed completely by Mercedes-AMG -
significantly improves efficiency: cylinders two, three, five and eight are cut
off under partial load, which lowers fuel consumption considerably. In similar
form, this technology is also used in the 750-hp V8 engines used in Formula 1.
As efficiency also plays a major role at the pinnacle of motor racing, two or
four of the eight cylinders are cut off e.g. when cornering at slow speed,
during Safety Car laps or for pit stops.
The crankcase of the new AMG
5.5-liter V8 engine features a diecast allaluminum construction. The low (dry)
engine weight of just 412 lbs is the result of uncompromising lightweight
construction methods. The bearing covers for the main crankshaft bearings are
grey cast iron, and are bolted to the crankcase, as well as on the sides, for
high rigidity.
As mentioned, the engine in the new Mercedes-Benz SLK55
AMG has a peak output of 415 hp and maximum torque of 398 lb-ft.
7-Speed Transmission
Power is transferred to the rear wheels by means
of the AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission which features three
transmission modes: "Controlled Efficiency" (C), Sport (S) and Manual (M). The
automatic rev-matching function when downshifting as well as the brief,
precisely defined interruption of ignition and injection when upshifting under
full load shorten shift times and increase emotional appeal. A double turbine
torsional damper with centrifugal pendulum adapts to engine speed and helps
minimize vibrations in four-cylinder operation as well as enhances comfort.
Controlled Efficiency Stop/Start Function
The Controlled
Efficiency stop/start function further contributes to the low fuel consumption.
This system is standard equipment on the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG and active
in the fuel economy transmission mode "C". Once the driver brakes to a stop e.g.
at a red traffic light, the V8 engine is automatically switched off. Once the
brake pedal is released or the accelerator is depressed, the engine is
immediately restarted and the car is able to move off quickly. Intelligent
technology provides a comfortable and immediate starting procedure: a crankshaft
sensor recognizes the direction of rotation and registers the resting position
of all eight pistons. For an automatic engine start, the cylinder with the most
favorable piston position receives an injection of fuel into its combustion
chamber. The precise piezo-electric injectors greatly assist this process, as
they make especially fast starts possible. The M152 always starts in
eight-cylinder operation.
A framed "ECO" symbol in the AMG main menu
shows the driver that the Controlled Efficiency stop/start function is active.
When cylinder shut-off is active, the driver is informed by the symbol "ECO4",
while "ECO8" stands for eight-cylinder operation. In the two more
performance-oriented driving modes "S" (Sport) and "M" (Manual), the stop/start
function is always deactivated. If required, the driver can also switch it off
while in "C" mode as well. In this case neither a "stop/start" nor an "ECO"
symbol appears.
New AMG Sports Exhaust System
On the new
Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG, AMG is premiering a new sports exhaust system featuring
an exhaust flap on each side. This technology resolves the trade off between an
emotional exhaust note during spirited driving and a more discreet engine sound
in the partial load range. The main focus of the sound design was to achieve a
perfect synthesis of perceptible performance and the long-distance comfort that
is a hallmark of Mercedes.
Each of the two rear silencers has a flap
which is variably activated on a logiccontrolled basis depending on the driver's
power requirement and the engine speed. At low loads and engine speeds below
2,000 rpm the flaps remain closed. This causes the exhaust gases to cover a
longer distance and flow through an additional damping element, so that the
engine sound is pleasantly subdued and disruptive frequencies are effectively
suppressed - resulting in a mellow tone especially in four-cylinder operation
when cylinder shut-off is active.
When the driver accelerates, the flaps
open at an angle of 15, then 30 and up to 50 degrees so that some of the exhaust
gases cover a short distance while the remaining follow the longer, acoustically
dampened path producing a sonorous engine note. Under full load at higher engine
speeds in eight-cylinder mode, both flaps are fully opened so that the occupants
are able to enjoy the distinct muscular sound typical of an AMG V8. This
emphasizes the performance potential of the 415 hp naturally aspirated AMG
eight-cylinder engine.
The two-pipe AMG sports exhaust system with two
chromed twin tailpipes has a pipe diameter of 2.56 inches from the manifolds to
the pre-silencer. The diameter is reduced to 2.36 inches from the pre-silencer
to the rear silencers.
Highly Expressive Driving Style and Comfortable
Cruising
The AMG sports suspension with Torque Vectoring Brakes and
AMG Direct- Steer system provides both impressive lateral dynamics as well as
agile handling. Looking for a highly aggressive driving style or comfortable
cruising? The new SLK55 AMG is able to offer both. Independent suspension struts
with stiffer spring/damper tuning, torque strut bearings on the front axle
featuring higher rigidity, stiffer stabilizers at all four corners as well as a
more negative camber on the rear axle result in high cornering speeds and low
body roll in fast S-shaped bends.
The AMG-exclusive 3-stage ESP gives
individual control choices at the touch of a button: the ESP button in the
center console allows the driver to choose between "ESP ON", "SPORT Handling
Mode" and "ESP OFF". The AMG highperformance brake system has internally
ventilated and perforated brake discs on all wheels, measuring 14.2 in. x 1.4
in. at the front and 13 in. x .9 in. at the rear. The system is characterized by
outstanding responsiveness, short stopping distances and excellent fatigue
resistance.
Optional AMG Handling Package
The optionally
available AMG Handling Package enhances the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG's
sportiness even further. It comprises an AMG Performance suspension with stiffer
tuning, an AMG rear axle differential lock, two-piece brake discs at the front
and a three-spoke AMG Performance steering wheel finished in premium leather
with Alcantara inserts in the grip areas.
Panorama Roof with MAGIC SKY
CONTROL
The standard retractable hardtop opens and closes in less
than 20 seconds, transforming the open-top Roadster into a closed-top Coupe with
rigid roof at the touch of a button. Alternatively, a panorama roof panel in
tinted polycarbonate can also be chosen. The third variant is a world premiere -
the panorama roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL. This glass roof switches to light or
dark as required at the press of a button. When activated it is virtually
transparent, offering an open-air experience even in cold weather. In its dark
state the roof provides welcome shade and prevents the interior from heating up
from the sun's intense rays. In other words: a comfortable atmosphere at the
touch of a button.
The frames of the three roof variants are made of
magnesium. This makes each roof around 13 lbs lighter than in the previous
model, giving the car a lower center of gravity - which benefits its agility. A
comfortable alternative to the standard wind-stop is the new AIRGUIDE pivoting
wind-stop. It consists of pivoting transparent plastic wings which are attached
to the back of the rollover bars. The advantage: no installation or removal
effort required.
Modern Assistance Systems
The 2012
Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG sets new standards when it comes to safety: a whole host
of the latest assistance systems support the driver and help secure the new AMG
Roadster's exceptional position in its segment. Standard equipment includes new,
fiber-reinforced roll-over bar, two-stage driver and front passenger airbags,
headbags, thorax airbags, knee airbags, seat belt tensioner with belt force
limiters, NECK-PRO crash-active head restraints, three-stage ESP and also
ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection.
Further assistance systems are
available on request:
* DISTRONIC PLUS: this proximity control system
automatically maintains a set distance from the vehicle ahead, braking the SLK55
AMG to a stop if necessary and also accelerating the Roadster again.
* The
PRE-SAFE Brake detects the acute danger of a rear-end collision and prepares for
autonomous braking. The system is active at speeds of between 19 and 124 mph
when moving vehicles are detected in front of the car.
Three
Generations of the SLK by AMG
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG is
already the third generation of the exclusively dynamic Roadster model made by
AMG. It all started in 2001 with the SLK32 AMG. Its supercharged AMG V6 engine
with a displacement of 3.2 liters produced 349 hp and maximum torque 332 lb-ft -
as such, the SLK32 AMG was the most powerful vehicle among the competition.
At the end of 2004 this was followed by the SLK55 AMG. With its AMG
5.5-liter V8 engine, which developed 355 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque, it also
took the lead in its segment. No other vehicle in this class offers a
large-displacement eightcylinder engine - and Mercedes-AMG has remained
consistently true to this philosophy with the successor model. The new 2012
SLK55 AMG will celebrate its U.S. market launch in early 2012.
Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications