Test Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG

Review and photos by Mike Schlee

Photo Gallery:
2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class

The Mercedes-Benz SLK was ahead of its time.  It foreshadowed today’s trend of retractable hard-top convertibles back in 1996, when it first debuted. Available exclusively on our shores with a 193-hp 2.3L supercharged four-cylinder engine, the SLK was a smaller, more affordable alternative to its bigger brother, the SL-Class.  Now entering its 18th year of production, the SLK has grown in size slightly and in power significantly; especially when dealing with the SLK 55 AMG.

2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG. Click image to enlarge

For 2012, the SLK received a complete refresh that included upgrades under the hood.  In the top-of-the-line SLK 55 AMG, Mercedes’ new 5.5L V8 replaced the old 5.5L V8.  Although this may sound trivial, power jumped 60 hp and 22 lb-ft of torque during this engine swap.  The new 55 AMG produces 415 hp and 398 lb-ft in a vehicle weighing a relatively svelte 1,610 kg—only 135 kg more than the base, manual-transmission SLK 250 with its turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

Those familiar with Mercedes-Benz AMG vehicles will realize that the new 5.5L V8 found in the SLK is basically the same engine found in several other AMG models, sans turbochargers.  These were left out due to ‘packaging issues’ but I have a sneaking suspicion that Mercedes didn’t want to put in excess of 500 hp into the diminutive SLK roadster as its performance may start to eclipse that of the larger SLS AMG and SL 63 AMG.  Even without the extra boost, power is still awesome in this SLK, yet controllable.  It felt like I could dial in anywhere from 1 to 415 hp with my right foot thanks to a linear power curve; peakiness simply does not exist in this engine.

The V8 sounds bellowing from the rear of the car are addicting, especially with the top down.  The noise is reminiscent of a 1960’s small-block-V8 muscle car.  If you closed your eyes and merely listened to the vehicle, it wouldn’t be crazy to mistake the SLK 55 AMG for a nicely tuned 1967 Camaro Z/28.  As well, under wide open throttle, gearshifts near redline produce momentary backpressure V8 snarls out of the AMG quad tip exhaust system.  This engine, however, is not just about power and noise; it also has some of the latest fuel saving technologies built in.   The V8 features AMG cylinder management, which can run on four cylinders under light loads.  It is also equipped with the controlled efficiency stop-start mode that can thankfully be turned off by selecting either sport mode or manual mode in the transmission.  During my time with the vehicle I kept it exclusively in ‘sport mode’ to deactivate the start-stop technology and wasn’t all that gentle with the accelerator pedal; that V8 soundtrack is just too addictive.  However, I was still able to achieve an average of 13.8 L/100 km.

Sending the exorbitant amount of power to the rear wheels is AMG’s Speedshift 7G-Tronic Plus automatic gearbox.  Although ‘just an automatic’, the transmission is very responsive and quicker to act than, say, the 7-speed automatic found in Infiniti’s IPL G Coupe.  The Mercedes ‘manual’ mode produces quick downshifts that when timed right create awesome burbling V8 sound effects.  The gearbox features tall gearing that allows the SLK 55 to putter along at 1,600 rpm @ 100 km/h and 1,975 rpm @ 120 km/h.

2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG. Click image to enlarge

Opting for the AMG edition of the SLK does not mean all of the AMG options are equipped.  As confusing as this may seem, to get the full AMG experience, the AMG Performance Package needs to be selected for another $6,900.  This package includes items like the AMG performance steering wheel with Dinamica inserts, a limited slip rear differential, the AMG performance suspension (in place of the standard AMG sports suspension), 18-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, AMG carbon fibre trim pieces, the AMG compound braking system, and raising the top speed to 280 km/h.

All of these parts help to create a vehicle featuring a ride well balanced for its sporting abilities.  The 235/40R18 front tires work well with the 255/35R18 rear tires and grip the road predictably.  A hard enough stab of throttle will trigger the LSD and rotate the car more quickly; especially in Sport handling mode, which reduces traction control interference and allows the tires to slip a bit.  However, the rear tires are so sticky that it takes quite a bit of steering angle or throttle input to break them loose.  The car just gets up and goes when forward haste is commanded.  The steering isn’t razor sharp, but well sorted and provides decent feedback.  It is heavy and solid but still easy to use around the city as the car feels lighter than it is.  In fact, the car as a whole drives around sedately at residential speeds and really is a true dual-personality roadster.

The previous two SLK-Class generations have always received unfavourable (and potentially unfair) associations with being a gender-specific vehicle; in other words, the dreaded moniker ‘girl’s car’.  However, for 2012 the SLK received new styling that really makes it look like a three-quarter scale SL-Class; well, the 2012 SL at least.  Up front the bi-xenon headlamps featuring adaptive high-beam assist look like space-age laser cannons.  The SLK receives the prerequisite LED daytime running lights and LED tail lamps that no car with luxurious pretensions can be seen without these days.  Set below the AMG trunk-lid spoiler is the AMG sport exhaust system with two sets of twin chrome oval tailpipes; an earmark that hopefully never disappears from AMG models.

My test car arrived painted in Galenite Silver metallic, which is a blue steel colour that does not suit this sporty AMG… unless your name is Derek Zoolander, maybe.  Inside, the SLK is all black and the interior features the premium package that is highlighted by features such as Parktronic, Airguide with an aluminum roll-bar inlay, Airscarf, satellite Radio, a 500W Harman/Kardon sound system, Keyless-Go, and the Panoramic Vario roof.  This latter item also included the stand alone Magic Sky Control roof option.  The Magic Sky Control roof can transition from dark tint to transparency at the touch of a button.  It uses electrochromatic glass technology that uses electric charges to change the state of tint within the glass.  When the roof is set to transparent mode, the cabin does feel airy, and the fact it is UV protected is a bonus.  It is also great on cold weather days as it somewhat simulates convertible feel without actually lowering the roof.  In ‘tinted mode’ it works just like a very dark glass roof.

2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG. Click image to enlarge

The interior of the SLK is not that cramped for the size of this roadster.  There is lots of storage in the door, centre console, and pocket between the seats.  This theme continues to the trunk that can consume 225 L with the top down or an impressive 335 L with the roof raised.  The Mercedes Comand system featured the same good and the same bad as the E 300 4Matic I drove recently (review coming shortly); no dedicated audio controls on the steering wheel, but an overall the system is easy to use.  The radio is not one of the better Harman/Kardon units I have sampled, but who cares?  With the top down the engine is far too addictive to not listen to.  One item I found annoying with this car was the AMG logo that sticks out of the upper centre of the seatback and digs into my back.

Minor nitpicks aside, the SLK 55 AMG is a great package.  Ringing in at $94,990 as tested, it is priced on par with a similarly equipped automatic Chevrolet Corvette convertible or PDK Porsche Boxster S.  Actually, go crazy with the endless custom features, and a Boxster can exceed this price point by a fair bit.  Take it easy on the options though with the SLK 55 AMG and one can be had for $79,500; BMW Z4 35is territory.  If it were my money, and I wish it were, I would probably stray over to the Corvette or Boxster as my weekend toy solely due to the fact that both offer manual transmissions.  But the target market for these $100,000 roadsters seem to prefer automatics, and if that is the case then the SLK makes for a compelling package.

Pricing: 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG

Base price: $79,500
Options: $6,600 (AMG Performance Package), $6,990 (Premium Package), $1,900 (Magic Sky Control)
A/C tax: $100
Freight: $2,075
Price as tested: $97,165

Competitors
2012 BMW Z4
2012 Porsche Boxster S

Crash test results
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)