mercedes slc

From 46.850 euros
  • Bodywork coupe
  • Puertas 2
  • Plazas 2
  • Power 184 - 367 hp
  • Consumer goods 4,4 - 8,7l/100km
  • Trunk 285 - 335 liters
  • Assessment 4,1

The market for compact convertible sports cars is not the most commercial on the market, but without a doubt it is one of the most passionate. Mercedes It has always opted for this segment, although it has generally done so with specific versions derived from sedans. The mercedes slc It has been the firm's most compact sports car until its disappearance in 2019.

The first time we saw the SLC was in the 70s, although at that time it made an appearance as a specific body of the C107 Coupé, which everyone called SLC. That unit ended up disappearing until 1996, which is when the Mercedes SLK comes onto the market, the first denomination that the SLC had, a name that we knew in 2011.

He was clearly the little brother of the Mercedes SL, although in 2019 and after disappointing sales figures, the German manufacturer decided to drop the model with more pain than glory. A stage that closed without a successor. The most similar model that is currently available in the product portfolio are the Mercedes C-Class Coupé and Cabriolet, although in this case it has a cabin for four passengers.

Technical characteristics of the Mercedes SLC

File Mercedes SLC Class

Beneath the compact body of the Mercedes SLC hides an old platform modified from the now defunct SLK. That leaves us with a chassis specially designed for front-wheel drive mechanics. Despite the change in nomenclature, the SLC name does not correspond to the Mercedes C-Class, contrary to what happens with SUVs, where the Mercedes GLC yes it does the same.

In this case, the measurements are much more compact than those of the sedan and, in fact, at the time of its termination it was the smallest model sold by Mercedes. 4,13 meters long, 1,81 meters long and 1,3 meters high. To these levels we must add a wheelbase of 2,43 meters that leaves us with a limited cabin for only two occupants.

In the end, the SLC was marketed in a single body, convertible with a retractable hard top. The presence of this roof limits the trunk load capacity, officializing a minimum volume of 225 liters when the top is stored in the trunk. With the roof on, the volume grows to 335 litres. The hood operates in a fixed time of 18 seconds, being possible the operation circulating at maximum speeds of 50 Km/h.

Mechanical range and gearboxes of the Mercedes-Benz SLC

Mercedes-Benz SLC

At the end of its commercial stage, the Mercedes SLC had a range of engines that exploited the passionate side more than the rational side. After the demise of diesel engines the mechanical portfolio is exclusively limited to gasoline engines. All units had a nine-speed torque converter-type automatic gearbox that sent all the power of the engine to the rear axle.

The access version, called SLC 200, mounted a turbocharged gasoline block of four cylinders and 1.991 cubic centimeters. develop a total of 184 horsepower at 5.550 revolutions and a maximum torque of 300 Nm between 1.200 and 4.000 revolutions. With it, the SLC reaches a top speed of 237 kilometers per hour and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,9 seconds. All this with an approved average consumption of 7,6 liters per 100 kilometers travelled.

The most powerful version is the Mercedes AMG SLC43. Enjoy a turbocharged block of six cylinders in vee with 2.996 cubic centimeters. develop 367 horsepower between 5.550 and 6.000 revolutions with a maximum torque of 520 Nm between 2.000 and 4.200 laps. It has a top speed of 250 kilometers per hour with acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,7 seconds. All this with an approved average consumption of 8,7 liters per 100 kilometers travelled.

Equipment of the Mercedes-Benz SLC

File Mercedes SLC Class

From the inside, the Mercedes SLC shows a reduced and compact passenger compartment where its only two occupants enjoy a high quality of finishes and a complete equipment. The entire interior features an excellent collection of materials that elevate the feeling of comfort and perceived quality., making commuting more pleasant. The only drawback is the air intake inside, very noticeable at high speeds.

The presence of a small rear windshield reduces the effect, although it does not completely camouflage it. As usual in the house, Mercedes offers different closed equipment packages for sale so that the customer has an easier time adding or subtracting equipment elements. In addition to that it has several finishing lines with which to modify the exterior design of the sports car, going from a more classic look to a more sporty one depending on the particular taste of each buyer.

As far as equipment is concerned, the SLC can enjoy interesting elements that will make life on board more comfortable and functional. LED headlights, navigator, COMMAND system, connections for mobile devices, electric and heated seats, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, parking assistant, Harman/Kardon sound system and a correct deployment of safety elements and driving assistants.

The Mercedes-Benz SLC in video

The Mercedes SLC of Km 0 and Second Hand

It should be remembered that the SLC has been on sale for almost 20 years, and in those almost two decades it has reaped reasonably good sales figures. That allows secondary sales markets are well supplied with available units, although the price depends a lot on the unit in question. The depreciation of the model is medium-high for the first generations, while in the latest editions we observe a medium-low depreciation.

When production ceases, the only available market is the second-hand or second-hand market. In it we check that the most affordable units date from the SLK's early marketing years, that is, years between 1996 and 1998, with a starting price of around 2.500 euros. If we move to the latest generation, the 2016 SLC, prices are considerably higher, with minimum figures close to 30.000 euros.

Rivals of the Mercedes SLC

File Mercedes SLC Class

The market for the Mercedes SLC is very specific. It is a very passionate and capricious segment. Compact sports cars are not functional cars, but they do have a recreational focus hardly matched by traditional segments. Despite not being a very commercial market, few sales, it is exploited by most of the premium firms in the market. The toughest rivals in the SLC are: A, BMW Z4, Jaguar F-Type, Lexus RC, Porsche 718 Boxsters y Porsche 718 cayman. These last two in a slightly higher step in performance and sporty touch.

Highlight

  • Price / quality ratio
  • Good option within the segment
  • Trunk

To improve

  • Few engine options
  • Somewhat dated design
  • Roof drive from standstill

Mercedes SLC prices

As for prices, it is curious to see that despite the premium character and the good manufacturing of the SLC, the sale value was adjusted. At the end of its production, the starting price of a Mercedes SLC was 45.250 euros for a 200 horsepower SLC 184 manual model. The most expensive of the family was the SLC 43 with 367 horses, whose starting price was 69.225 euros. Since the end of 2019 the model has been discontinued from the Mercedes product portfolio, with no successor model in sight.

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