2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG details and images released

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By Brett Davis | August 22nd, 2011

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG has been revealed ahead of its official international unveiling set to take place at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show next month. The new convertible is powered by a 5.5-litre V8 and comes with special AMG sports seats, revised chassis and suspension, special AMG trimmings and a neat AMG bodykit.

Under the bonnet, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG comes with a new 5.5-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine. It produces 310kW of power and 540Nm of torque. Power is sent through an AMG SpeedShift Plus 7G-TRONIC seven-speed transmission. Mercedes-Benz says the new drop-top is capable of sprinting from 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds, and has a limited top speed of 250km/h.

Interestingly, the new 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG comes with an average fuel consumption rating of just 8.5L/100km. This is thanks to a range of technologies such as stop/start and AMG Cylinder Management, which cuts cylinders in certain conditions where ultimate power is not needed. Even still, 8.5L/100km is very close to the Mazda3 automatic local average fuel consumption rating of 8.2L/100km, which only has half the cylinders.

Like all AMG models, the new SLK55 comes with sports tuned suspension and high performance brakes. The new model also comes with Torque Vectoring and AMG Direct-Steer technology. An optional Handling Package comes with a lockable differential, tighter, more focused sports suspension, Alcantara seats and a three-spoke sports steering wheel.

Other highlights include a sporty AMG interior layout with bolstered sports seats and AIRSCARF, special AMG aluminium trimming throughout the interior and a performance-inspired instrument cluster and speedo.

Official pricing is yet to be finalised, but the new model will go on sale some time next year. More details will be released upon the SLK55′s unveiling next month. We’ll keep you updated.

MattP

Gorgeous. Looks great in white too.

Mercedes-Benz will have no problem selling every one it makes . . . .
qikturbo

A little effeminate looking for my tastes.Maybe in black the Merc would look a little more aggressive.

brent

This car has always had a rep as a “chicks car” . I think that’s unfortunate as the newer design is much less so (I actually quite like it) but they still have some work to do to get prospective male clientele past this.

Homer

310KW should do it!

Mr D

The current gen Z4 is better looking in my opinion, but that 5.5L Mercedes V8 must be oh so sweet.
Ox

Would be interesting to see if the claimed 8.5L/100km is achievable.

David

No it isn’t, because any driver of such a beast will have a heavy right foot. Personally I would struggle to keep it under 12L/100km.
Tom

Maybe on a long downhill stretch.

delux

Still doing it wrong. It’s missing two turbos.

john

Don’t worry Brabus will come out with their own version with the 2 turbos back in their rightful place. IMO this has lost the “Chicks Car” tag now and handed it too the Z4, that 5.5 V8 will shut anyone up who thinks otherwise!