We recently tested the all new SLK 350 and were delighted with its V6 powerplant's resources. This means that we can only be happy that the AMG version of the car will be heading to Frankfurt next month, where it will strut its 5.5-liter naturally aspirated V8. When the news came, the only bit of pixelated information the Germans provided us with came in the form of a couple of shots of the new mill, but following a leaked picture posted by Autobild, Mercedes was forced to reveal the car in full.
We’ll start with what makes the AMG version the coolest of them all, the 5.5-liter V8 that promises to offer not only 422 horsepower, but also remarkable efficiency. The unit is based on the AMG M157 5.5-liter V8 biturbo unit found in E 63 AMG, CLS 63 AMG, S 63 AMG and CL 63 AMG. Unfortunately, the US-spec model gets 415 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque due to tight emissions regulations.
The engine makes use of a new air intake, cylinder heads, valve drive, oil system, crankcase and, most importantly, a Formula One-inspired cylinder deactivation system that cuts half the cylinders when they aren’t needed. When the system is activated, it cuts one bank from 800 to 3,600 rpm to improve fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent over the previous generation. Mercedes says that the switch from four to eight cylinders is “immediate and imperceptible”, taking just 30 milliseconds.
We’re easily impressed by efficiency, but what is noteworthy is that the new SLK 55 AMG completes the standard 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in 4.6 seconds and reaches an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h (155mph).
autoevolution will be attending the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, so stay tuned for some real up close and personal shots of the vehicles, as well as for first-hand details of the motorized contraptions presented at the event.
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