What version of the upcoming car could be more interesting than the top of the range SLK AMG model? As our team of spy photographers answered “none”, they set out to track the model’s test vehicle and offered us a glimpse into the AMG future.
As you can see, the car seems to be featuring a SLS-style front grille (just like the Mercedes SL test mule), with the headlights camouflage almost certainly hiding the car’s LEDs from us. At the back of the vehicle we can see four generously sized oval tailpipes.
But the main asset of the car will be its engine. The 360 hp 5.5 liter V8 engine of the current generation will be ditched for... and here’s where the certainty ends. Let us explain.
AMG announced that it will replace the current 6.2 liter naturally aspirated V8 engine with the new 5.5 liter twin-turbocharged V8, with the move already being used for the S63 AMG and CL63 AMG. So, SLK the 3rd should also come with the latter powerplant. This would give the car an output of up to 544hp and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm), but Mercedes will probably downtune the engine (we see some tuning opportunities here).
However, it is possible that the next SLK will use the aforementioned naturally aspirated 6.2 liter powerplant, just like the current generation is powered by an engine that was replaced on other contemporary AMG models. (the other vehicles ditched the 5.5l unit for the 6.2 liter one).
And there's more. Certain reports indicate that the car will use an all-new turbocharged V6 engine, based on the recently-introduced 3.5 liter V6 unit.
We'll be back with more details as soon as they are available.
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