To have itself cover a broader spectrum of roadster buyers, Mercedes-Benz will be introducing a new base model called the SLC 180 that should be price competitive with the more mainstream drop tops of today. It will no doubt be still remain the more expensive option but either way you slice it, a more accessible price tag can’t hurt.
Clearly, the Mercedes-Benz SLC isn’t the sales powerhouse that it once was when it was first introduced back in 1996, and is expected to be axed from the automaker’s line-up after this version’s life cycle comes to a close.
To streamline the brand’s naming structure, its 3rd-generation successor (then still called the SLK) was given an altered name, but the entry model always kicked off with a 2.0-litre engine. The new SLC 180, though, doesn’t correspond with car’s engine capacity or power output.
Deriving shove from a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol, the 180 produces 116kW and 250Nm of peak torque, an identical engine and tune to the entry-level C-Class, and giving it comparable performance figures to the MX-5 RF.
But while Mazda has gone to great lengths to reduce any unnecessary weight to around 1,000kg kerb, the SLC 180 still weighs in at over 1,400kg, making the extra twist from its turbocharged motor all the more necessary to overcome that heft.
Like the MX-5, the Benz’s 6-speed manual transmission also helps reduce weight and appeal to keen drivers at the same time - it seems automatic version will be offered. With some slick shift work, they claim it can sprint to 100km/h in a respectable 7.9 seconds, about 0.7 seconds quicker than the Mazda.
As with all variants in the SLC range, it will come fitted with the AMG-Line trim which includes cosmetic additions to give the car a sportier presence on the road, including bodywork and 17-inch alloys.
According to Autocar, UK order taking for the SLC 180 have already begun with production slated to begin in June and deliveries expected for the end of July. Time will tell if lighter, simpler, and less expensive roadster will have an impact on global sales numbers, though it likely won’t be enough to justify its existence beyond this generation.
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