SLK 55 AMG: Top of its class • From 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds with V8 power • 7G -TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission in combination with AMG-SPEEDSHIFT • Exclusive appointments with sports seats in nappa leather • Leading the way as the official FIA Formula 1 safety car June 9, 2004, Beijing T he SLK 55 AMG provides further evidence of the expertise of Mercedes-AMG in the development of high-performance cars. This breathtaking automotive masterpiece is the only car in its class to be fitted with an eight-cylinder engine. None of its competitors can match the engine statistics and performance data recorded by the SLK 55 AMG. The V8 powerplant has a displacement of 5439 cc, develops 265 kW/ 360 hp at 5750 rpm and a maximum torque of 510 Newton metres at 4000 rpm, and accelerates the two-seater from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds. The 200-km/h mark is duly reached after 17.5 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited). With its impressive performance characteristics and typical AMG V8 vocals, the SLK 55 AMG ensures unmistakably dynamic driving thrills for its privileged passengers. The AMG engine is laced with high-tech inspiration from the race-track, boasting extremely light cast aluminium pistons, oil-spray nozzles to cool the piston crowns, variably adjusted camshafts, a newly developed twin-pipe intake system and a specially adjusted variable intake manifold. 7G -TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission with AMG-SPEEDSHIFT and steering-wheel gearshift buttons The new 7G -TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission makes its AMG debut in the SLK 55 AMG, enhanced by the fine-tuning of AMG-SPEEDSHIFT, steering-wheel gearshift buttons and a manual driving program. The car's sports performance is the main beneficiary of the transmission's seven gears and the small changes in engine speed essential for optimum ratios. The torque converter lock-up from first gear further optimises dynamics and efficiency by avoiding power loss in the converter. The 7G -TRONIC transmission with AMG-SPEEDSHIFT can adapt to both a dynamic and a more laid-back style of driving. The driver can choose whether gear changes should take place automatically or manually, using the Touchshift function of the selector lever or - similarly to the system in Formula 1 cars - via two gearshift buttons on the AMG sports steering wheel. The "M" program allows the driver to exploit the pulling power generated by the V8 engine more efficiently, as the transmission does not automatically shift down under full load and kick-down, but instead always stays firmly in the gear selected. Plus, in the manual driving program, AMG-SPEEDSHIFT does not automatically shift up when the engine speed ceiling is reached. This enables those drivers with particularly finely honed sporting ambitions to make even better use of the car's majestic performance potential. Other technical talents of AMG-SPEEDSHIFT include torque converter lock-up, active braking downshift and the "optimum gear function", which team up with the more spontaneous and up to 35-percent faster gear-change to deliver an extremely direct driving experience. Nappa leather with Alcantara inserts in four colour options The interior of the new AMG high-performance SLK is defined by its high-quality, exclusive and sporty appointments. The seats, door centre panels and armrest are covered in nappa leather, which is available in a choice of four colours. The AMG sports seats have their own distinctive design and feature clearly defined side bolsters to optimise lateral support - Alcantara inserts in the shoulder area further improve lateral stability through fast corners. Plus, the AMG sports steering wheel (with height and fore-and-aft adjustment) with gearshift buttons and the attractively designed instrument cluster with a 320-km/h scale add an extra dynamic edge to the car's appearance. Leading the way as the official FIA Formula 1 safety car Following its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show, the new Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG showed what it is capable of in its new role as the official Formula 1 safety car. Specifically, the compact eight-cylinder roadster was showing its circuit debut at this year's Grand Prix season opener on 7th March 2004 in Melbourne , Australia . Thanks to modifications to its braking system, chassis, cooling system and exhaust system, as well as weight-reduction measures, the SLK 55 AMG safety car showed off its optimised driving dynamics and maximized stability. And the improvements will prove very useful: After all, the newcomer will have to lead the world's fastest drivers around the track at high speed in the event of a circuit emergency, while ensuring maximum safety. For its demanding assignment as the Formula 1 safety car, the SLK 55 AMG required modifications that were few in number but very sharply focused. The distinctive sporty strengths of the new two-seater developed by Mercedes-AMG were only supplemented in areas that would generate maximum high-performance and reliability for circuit operation. In place of the standard 18-inch tires, for example, new multi-part 19-inch AMG light-alloy, double-spoke rims with special 235/35 R 19 and. 265/30 R 19 tires have been used. And together with the firmer chassis tuning, the car can handle higher curve speeds and has even more agile handling. The powerful AMG cars will be ready for action at all 18 Formula 1 races, where they will be able to demonstrate their sporty prowess in front of billions of race fans worldwide. |