Mercedes has taken a lot of flak for replacing the old naturally aspirated V8 with a twin-turbo V6 engine. Of course, nobody had driven the car when those negative remarks were made, so they turned out to be unfounded. This next video of the 2017 Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 should prove once and for all that this car deserves the Affalterbach badge.
The video was shot in Cannes by Automann-TV using an official Mercedes press car. It's got all the bells and whistles, including a spotless frozen grey paintjob that does the AMG kit justice.
The part we're interested in is the engine, more specifically the bit at the end that makes the sound. Sure, a naturally aspirated V8 is a talented thing, but the V6 has better pops off the throttle and the rest of the soundtrack is 95% there. Just like in the case of the C63, the compromise being made is almost unperceivable.
There are parts of the interior that give the SLC away as being a facelift of the SLK. But we've seen so many navigation systems perched on top of the dash that this old-fashioned setup is a welcomed sight.
All these positive things being said, the SLC 43 AMG doesn't give us that "my life is pointless without this car" feeling that the AMG GT has. Mercedes is trying to keep the old segments alive while also introducing new ones, which results in a somewhat confusing mix.
What we want to point out is that very few people will pay upwards of €60,000 for one of these when the C63 AMG Cabriolet is just around the corner and will pack a V8. If you don't really need that 4.0-liter twin-turbo in your life, there's also going to be a C43 AMG version with the same mill you see here, plus the option for all-wheel drive and two extra seats.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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