Merc1

What is it?
This is no ordinary SLK55. The new SLK55 AMG Black Series is a hardcore track day special. A deep front air dam, bulging front wheelarches, outlets within the front flanks, chunky side sills underneath the doors and a boot deck spoiler instantly signal its racetrack ambitions.
And then there’s the roof – a fixed lightweight carbonfibre structure made by ski specialist Fischer in Austria. It is claimed that the single-piece roof, which replaces the complex folding hard-top, trims up to 80kg from the SLK55’s kerbweight, although the addition of larger brakes and other detail changes mean the overall loss has been reduced to 45kg.
Inside, there are hard-shell Recaro racing seats, a thick-rimmed three-spoke steering wheel and carbonfibre door and dashboard trims.
At the heart of the new two-seater is a lightly modified version of the SLK55’s familiar normally aspirated 5.4-litre V8. It gets a new inlet manifold, as well as a more free-flowing exhaust, and power rises from 360bhp to 400bhp at 5750rpm.

What’s it like?
You know it’s special the moment you turn the key. The exhaust note is harder in character, with a deep baritone blare from middling revs. Throttle response is sharper and the improved power-to-weight ratio makes the new Mercedes livelier off the line.
The standard seven-speed automatic gearbox has also been reworked with new Speedshift software. It now offers two manual modes, the more aggressive of which swaps cogs with a rough but rapid action fully befitting the car’s circuit-charging pretensions.
Other interesting changes concern the suspension. It uses adjustable dampers in combination with stiffened springs and sturdy strut tower braces at each end. They provide noticeably better body control and firm up the ride appreciably, working superbly with Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tyres on lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels to raise grip and traction levels.

Should I buy one?
No doubt about it, the SLK Black Series is a seriously good car and is as much at home on the track as on the road. It’s harder, faster and better to drive than its standard sibling, but it is eye-wateringly expensive. Which explains why AMG will assemble just 10 per month and expects to sell no more than 100 worldwide.





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M

The Artist

wow very breif test but they seem to like it ..and track performance seems good.. love that interior..with that mocca steering wheel..

im jus twaiting for a larger test with track times and such..
this car seems amazing

Merc1

Another look of the SLK Black Series:



Here’s the proof that you can have light and dark at the same time! Mercedes’ new lightweight SLK 55 AMG Black Edition promises to be the ultimate evolution of the original metal-roofed coupé-cabriolet – and Auto Express has driven it first.

Described as a spiritual successor to the 300SL Gullwing of 1954, and coming hot on the heels of the limited-edition SLR 722 (Newsweek, Issue 919), the Black Edition is being put forward as a genuine competitor to the legendary Porsche 911 GT3.

And judging by the figures, this Merc looks more than worthy of the challenge. It’s effectively an SLK in name only – even the famous folding roof has been sacrificed for a special one-piece hard-top in an effort to extract every ounce of performance from the rear-wheel-drive chassis. Tipping the scales at only 1,495kg, and powered by a 400bhp version of AMG’s 5.5-litre V8 engine, the car now features carbon fibre panels and trim throughout.

Visual changes include wider front wheelarches and extra cooling vents cut into the bodywork, not to mention the polished multi-spoke alloys.

New race seats and special instruments help to create a driver-focused cabin. The chairs improve headroom, too, as the thin squabs mean you sit much lower than before.

But the new interior and dramatic looks are only a taste of the car’s true character. To experience the SLK 55 AMG to the full, we hit the test track. At idle, the exhausts emit an ominous rumble. However, if you press the accelerator to the carpet, they let out a roar. The 0-60mph sprint is dispatched in 4.5 seconds, and although top speed is restricted to 155mph, Mercedes estimates the car is capable of 190mph when the limiter is removed.

Yet while the urgency of the engine is impressive, the changes to the seven-speed gearbox are also worthy of note. The unit offers a choice of fully automatic and manual modes, and changes ratios quickly and smoothly.

On the test circuit, the AMG quickly proved itself a spectacular driver’s car. With a wider track, plus enhanced suspension, the revised SLK delivers vast amounts of grip. In fast sweeping corners, it’s obvious the rear-wheel-drive machine is well balanced, too. Not only does the Merc feel incredibly stable at the limit, but it also responds quickly to small inputs. Fortunately, the huge brakes are enormously powerful and more than capable of slowing the car from very high speeds. The ABS-backed set-up remains largely fade-free, even when used very hard.

But has the SLK got what it takes to overtake the 911 GT3 in the race to be the greatest sports coupé in the world? After our test drive, we can confirm that a head-to-head contest between the two is likely to be much closer than you would expect.

The SLK Black is much more than a styling exercise. It demonstrates that Mercedes can build machines which corner nearly as quickly as they accelerate – and that the subtleties of designing a capable sports car to satisfy enthusiasts is not beyond the firm.









First Opinion:

"The SLK 55 Black Edition proves that track-focused specials don’t need to compromise on style to really impress. Generous equipment confirms that the maker has thought hard about the demands of potential customers. But it’s the AMG’s performance that remains the biggest surprise. It’s certainly the best driver’s car Mercedes has built in this class, and one of the most thrilling, too."

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I think I'm officailly in love with this version of the SLK! The carbon fiber accents are hot and the drive sounds like something close to the CLK DTM as far as ability on the track goes. I can only hope that they will import a few into the U.S. market. I think they could sell a 100-150 of these in the U.S.

M

Just_me

if this is a black edition, the car should be black.

Merc1

Well it is trimmed in black.

M

The Artist

now ppl can finaly shut up about MB not able to make sporty fun cars..
this car kicks ass on track.. now i told you if they want to they can..
now they want to..and they are doing it..

so for all ignorant ppl on the web.. HAHAhahah

Tycoon

The only thing what sucks about that car is it's price!

But at the end, you get what you pay for: brilliantly designed car with outstanding performace, quality, image, etc.

MB,

Top Secret

WHY ISN'T IT BLACK?!

Otherwise, a very hot little car.

Just_me

what are you talking about, CLK-DTM has been on the roads for years now.

The Artist

but that was really limited you know.. and damn expensive..
but this is also expensive.. but less.. it may open up other ignorant ppls eyes to what we allready know..and thats the fact that MB can build sporty cars..