In Pictures: Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 - driven

Performance roadster’s mid-life facelift is platform for new performance engine.

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26 August 2016

Mercedes-AMG has produced a plethora of legendary performance models over the years, and here’s its latest offering, the 362bhp SLC 43.

Introduced as part of a mid-life facelift for the roadster previously known as the SLK, the medium-hot newcomer tops the UK’s otherwise exclusively four-cylinder engine line-up. The ‘43’ sub-brand is set to become a common theme for Mercedes-AMG, representing performance value, usability and decent real-world economy.

The range-wide facelift also brings exterior styling tweaks, new cabin kit and changes to the suspension and transmission as well as the engine line-up.

Although the revised cabin is of excellent quality, it doesn’t quite go far enough. While the driver sits a little too high, the larger 7.0in infotainment screen isn’t big as in rivals, and there’s a faintly dated air. Still, the electrically folding metal roof opens and closes smoothly, even at low speeds, and is an improvement on what went before.

The V6 drives the SLC 43’s rear wheels. It sounds great and delivers quite a punch, working smoothly with the nine-speed auto box. Yet this is not a lightweight car, and that shows in the engine’s outright pace. From a performance point of view, this car is as much a cruiser as it is a sportster – which, while this makes it well suited to town as well as motorway work, is not quite what you’d expect from an AMG-badged model.

The road noise produced by the honed suspension is a little intrusive, too, and we’re not sure whether those chassis tweaks are totally successful over anything other than the smoothest of roads or on-track.

While the steering is firm and communicative, the firm handling and ride transmit too many bangs and thumps, and reactions aren’t as quick as you’d expect.

Compared with its V8-powered SLK 55 predecessor, the SLC 43 costs £9000 less and delivers on its promise of decent fuel economy with an on-test 26.5mpg average. It’d double as a good track-day car, too, so there’s plenty to like, but that slightly dated cabin ambience and sporty rather than comfortable platform give it a slightly compromised feel. Some rivals may be more tempting…

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In Pictures: Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 - driven

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