[mkoesel]

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/12/15/2...with-turbo-v6/

Quite what they are doing with the SLC43, I am not sure. Seeing the N/A V8 go away comes as a shock to no one. But slotting in the non-AMG 3.0L V6 which offers less power than their 2.0L I4 just seems like a confusing message at best for the AMG brand. You'd think that if you are going to keep this car around, you'd want to put forth the effort to make it bolster the lineup rather than stand out as underpowered.

I guess that's what happens when you know your competitor is about to put their equivalent product - the Z4 - out to pasture. Not to mention, roadster sales in general have been on the decline for years.

Don't get me wrong, I think AMG should have a 6 cylinder in their bag of tricks, but this isn't the answer. They need to be given access to that not-so-secret M256 I6 coming. A 420hp-ish I6 under the hood of this car could make it compelling.

[gonzo]

Real roadster in German is spelled threepedalspyder.

[Blackraven]

I was wondering about that as well.

If MB really wanted to downsize, then why didn't they just use the 4.0 liter V8 then just resort to either detuning it OR removing the turbocharger altogether.

[-BEASTMW-]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/12/15/2...with-turbo-v6/

Quite what they are doing with the SLC43, I am not sure. Seeing the N/A V8 go away comes as a shock to no one. But slotting in the non-AMG 3.0L V6 which offers less power than their 2.0L I4 just seems like a confusing message at best for the AMG brand. You'd think that if you are going to keep this car around, you'd want to put forth the effort to make it bolster the lineup rather than stand out as underpowered.

Also hate how they're calling a 3.0L TT V6 a "43" and a 2.0L turbo I-4 a "45" just because the latter has a touch more power. The numbers are basically completely arbitrary at this point after decades of history.

[djDori_C]

Originally Posted by gonzo

Real roadster in German is spelled threepedalspyder.

Couldn't agree more

[Blackraven]

Definitely a step backward

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by Blackraven

Definitely a step backward

Hard to go backwards from something about as cool as a Segway. It still sucks, maybe a little more. Not buying a Cayman/Boxster in this category is a huge fail.

[FriskyDingo]

Mercedes is so lame right now. My .02

[///mawana]

Originally Posted by -BEASTMW-

Also hate how they're calling a 3.0L TT V6 a "43" and a 2.0L turbo I-4 a "45" just because the latter has a touch more power. The numbers are basically completely arbitrary at this point after decades of history.

I thought AMG (the engine numbering) was all about HP!

[SaMaster14]

Originally Posted by ///mawana

I thought AMG (the engine numbering) was all about HP!

Nope. The 55s used to be 5.5L NA V8s. And the 63 was a 6.2L V8 (63 sounded better than 62 or something..). Even the 350 and 500 series', if I'm not mistaken, contained 3.5L V6s and 5.0L V8s respectively.

Once turbos came into play, it all became nonsense, but I can assume Mercedes didn't want to lower the numbers on their V8 models, etc. for example, while an SL400 has a 3.0L TT V6 and the 550 model has a 4.7L TT V8 (soon to be 4.0L?), they kept the 400/550 badging, and didn't 'downgrade' to 300/470 badging

[Jai 302]

Originally Posted by -BEASTMW-

Also hate how they're calling a 3.0L TT V6 a "43" and a 2.0L turbo I-4 a "45" just because the latter has a touch more power. The numbers are basically completely arbitrary at this point after decades of history.

+1

This was completely foolish of them. The i4 should have been to the V6 what the V8 is to the V12. 43 - 45 - 63 - 65 would have made more sense. They messed it up by giving the 4 cyl AMG a bigger number than the V6, especially when the 45's are offered in cheaper cars than the SLC43

[Blackraven]

Still regardless of this 'downgrade', I will try to be as optimistic as possible and think that maybe, just maybe, there might be something positive about this new change.

Perhaps:
-Lighter weight? (which will make the car less front heavy for spirited driving)
-MB can move more of these? (i.e. if they sales volume to justify the economics and manufacturing costs of bringing this car in?)

Any other possible benefit (that results from this 'trade-off')???

[b0bab0i]

The SLC43 doesn't use a hand built one man one engine from Affalterbach like all other AMG's.

It uses the mass produced engine from C450 which is only tuned by AMG.
A lot of AMG owners are pissed that it's still considered a real AMG even though it doesn't follow the one man one engine philosophy.

It seems like AMG has followed in the same direction as BMW ///M(arketing)


http://www.mercedes-benz.ca/content/...mg/engine.html

[Blackraven]

A number of MBWorld forumers aren't happy with the decision. Heck, someone mentioned that a number of forumers over at the AMG Private Lounge were furious at the announcement.

Here's what AMG had to say:

"A new chapter for Mercedes-AMG

Tomorrow marks the beginning of a new chapter for Mercedes-AMG with the upcoming introduction of the Mercedes-AMG SLC 43. The Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 provides a level of driving performance that exceeds the specifications of the Mercedes-AMG SLK 55 that it replaces in every way.

Before this introduction, we wanted to take a moment and give the AMG Private Lounge some insight into why the Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 is an AMG. It represents the entrance into the roadster world of AMG and delivers the typical AMG DNA to be competitive in this segment. Fully developed in Affalterbach, the Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 provides the AMG typical dynamic handling combined with a highly responsive and efficient engine, an AMG specific suspension, braking system and rear locking differential. The result is a highly agile roadster, even though it does not have an engine built under the “One Man - One Engine” philosophy. As a brand, Mercedes-AMG is more than just the “One Man - One Engine” philosophy. While the philosophy will continue in models like the AMG 45’s, AMG 63’s and AMG 65’s as a differentiator in these segments, it no more defines the AMG brand than any other single facet of an AMG vehicle.

To better explain the Mercedes-AMG brand, one only has to look at our slogan of “Driving Performance” that accompanies the AMG logo in our communications.

Driving Performance is more than a claim, it is our promise to our customers that conceals our attitude and driving force. What originally only sounds like the performance of our products is actually so much more. It’s not only what’s obvious, the power and performance of our vehicles, that offers our customers a unique driving experience. It’s what motivates us to pursue peak performance. This driving force connects us to our customers and many other people around the world who are equally ambitious. It’s the relentless determination to go the extra mile and, at any price, push the boundaries, even if that means breaking through them and questioning the status quo. This driving force is never content with what’s conventional. It breaks rules, not merely for the sake of breaking rules, but to create space for innovation and breakthroughs. AMG does and will always do everything in its power to live up to this standard 200%.

It is with this same focus that the Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 proudly wears the two digit nomenclature and AMG badge on its trunk lid.

The next question that will be asked is if Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 owners will be permitted in the AMG Private Lounge and as it is an AMG, the answer is yes.

While we understand that some of our AMG Private Lounge members will not agree with the decision to introduce the Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 as an AMG model, the design, engineering and development for this vehicle are all AMG and as such, it is an AMG. We think that once you have a chance to get behind the wheel, you will find that the performance of the Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 stands for itself!

Best regards from Affalterbach,
Your AMG Private Lounge Team "

[Jai 302]

Originally Posted by Blackraven

Here's what AMG had to say:

I ran away from BMW because of ///Marketing. Now A(Marketing)G seems to be following in M's footsteps. I see more regular Merc's with AMG badges than without. I think it's time to move away from German brands as a whole. They give zero sh*ts about exclusivity.

The McLaren 570S is looking really appealing as a replacement for my SL63, which is a GREAT car, but I keep losing respect for the German brands with each passing day. What's next? 'Mercedes-AMG BLA 23 S Coupe 4-Matic' - Toyota Corolla Competitor?

[CIWS]

Originally Posted by Jai 302

I think it's time to move away from German brands as a whole. They give zero sh*ts about exclusivity.

"Japan" is doing it too with the F - /F Sport badging of Lexus. Seems to be slowly spreading through the luxury brands.


The main reason I can see MB going this direction is the improvement they get in gas mileage on the model. There really wasn't that many SLKs being sold overall, so not a major effect on a customer base. But it's one more model across their board where the mileage numbers improve and help the overall average.

Personally if I was thinking about an SLK, I'd get the current one before the true AMG version is gone.

[Jai 302]

Originally Posted by CIWS

"Japan" is doing it too with the F - /F Sport badging of Lexus. Seems to be slowly spreading through the luxury brands.


The main reason I can see MB going this direction is the improvement they get in gas mileage on the model. There really wasn't that many SLKs being sold overall, so not a major effect on a customer base. But it's one more model across their board where the mileage numbers improve and help the overall average.

Personally if I was thinking about an SLK, I'd get the current one before the true AMG version is gone.

But nobody ever looked to Japanese brands for exclusivity. If anyone ever bought a Lexus or Infiniti it was for luxury, and not necessarily because of prestigious brand image. Something that BMW and Mercedes used to have till the late 00's.

[CIWS]

Originally Posted by Jai 302

But nobody ever looked to Japanese brands for exclusivity. If anyone ever bought a Lexus or Infiniti it was for luxury, and not necessarily because of prestigious brand image. Something that BMW and Mercedes used to have till the late 00's.

Lexus has had the F since roughly 2006 starting with the IS F and LFA, and has showed up since with the F Sport packages for normal cars. So they have a performance exclusive line. Although Infiniti has produced IPL cars they are not much different than the regular car. Of course that would be different is Nissan would have badged the GTR as an Infiniti.

[paliknight]

Originally Posted by Jai 302

But nobody ever looked to Japanese brands for exclusivity. If anyone ever bought a Lexus or Infiniti it was for luxury, and not necessarily because of prestigious brand image. Something that BMW and Mercedes used to have till the late 00's.

Audi?