Development work on the Mercedes’ SLC sports car has resumed. Sources have unveiled new information about its powertrain and platform. They said that the SLC will be offered with at least three engine options. During the launch, the standard motor will be a version of AMG’s approaching twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 with 485hp and 500 lb-ft of torque. The SLC S is a top-of-the-line model. It is powered by a more impressive version of the 4.0-liter that delivers 585hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. Only one year after the arrival of the SLC in the market, Mercedes will be launching an entry-level model that will be equipped with a 333hp V6, which will be competing against the standard Porsche 911 Carrera. All the variants will distribute power to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
The SLC will be built on a shortened version of the SLS AMG’s platform. However, the signature gullwing doors of the latter car will be replaced with conventional units to boost structural rigidity and lessen mass. Overall, the SLC is likely to weigh in at about 3400 pounds.
Even if prices from foreign markets hardly ever translate directly to MSRPs in U.S. showrooms, it should be noted that according to sources, the tentative SLS is priced from 70,000 pounds ($110,474) for the V6 model in the UK market. Meanwhile, the standard V-8 is priced at 80,000 pounds ($126,260) and the high-performance V8 will be priced at 115,000 pounds ($181,500). The launch of the SLC in V8 form is set in 2015, while the V6 model is likely to follow in 2016.
