Revised Mercedes SLK rebadged as SLC

Mercedes’ small, two-seat roadster has been revised and renamed and is now available to order. The car, previously called the Mercedes SLK, is now known as the Mercedes SLC, as it contains many of the same mechanical components as the Mercedes C-Class saloon.

There are also new engines, a new automatic gearbox, revised styling and new equipment. Prices start from £30,495 and first deliveries begin in April – in time to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the original Mercedes SLK launch in 1996.

New Mercedes SLC styling

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Styling changes compared to the outgoing SLK are subtle but noticeable. All models feature a concave front grille, finished in a diamond mesh pattern, with the famous three-pointed star badge slap bang in the middle, supported by a chrome bar stretching across the grille.

There are also new headlight clusters, with built-in revised LED daytime running lights, while the front bumper now includes new air intakes. Down the sides, there are chrome-trimmed air vents just behind the front wheels and the subtly rising belt line, while the classic long-bonnet sports-car proportions are present and correct – as is the small Mercedes roadster's signature folding hardtop. The tail-lights have been redesigned and now have LEDs as well as bulbs.

The top-of-the-range AMG SLC 43 features a bespoke bodykit with a deeper front bumper, wider wheelarches and a more pronounced rear spoiler. This version also gets quad exhaust tailpipes as opposed to the usual two.

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Interior and equipment

Inside, the SLC now comes with a larger central TFT screen between the instrument dials – which feature ‘sporty’ red needles. The main centre-console infotainment screen is larger as well, measuring seven inches, rather than the 5.8-inches of the outgoing SLK.

The Mercedes SLC is available in two trim levels: Sport and AMG Line. Standard equipment across the range includes LED running lights and rear lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome-plated exhaust pipes and a host of safety equipment such as Active Brake Assist autonomous braking.

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There are also new aluminium trim parts, available in either light (standard) or dark (optional) colours. The SLC also features a new sports steering wheel and two additional leather upholstery colours – Saddle Brown and Platinum White.

In terms of infotainment, the standard Audio 20 system comes with a CD player and a Garmin SD card-based satellite-navigation system.

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Alternatively, you can go for an updated version of Mercedes’ COMAND Online infotainment system, which includes extended features like a hard-disk based sat-nav system with three years’ worth of free updates, internet access, a DVD player, internet radio, Bluetooth and USB phone connectivity. You also get voice control for the audio, phone and navigation functions.

Engines

SLC buyers have the choice of three engines. There are two four-cylinder petrols, producing 181 and 242bhp respectively, and a 2.1-litre four-cylinder diesel that makes 201bhp. These complete the 0-62mph sprint in 7.0, 5.8 and 6.6 seconds respectively.

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The range-topping Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 gets a twin-turbo 3.0-litre petrol V6, producing 362bhp. This allows it to do 0-62mph in just 4.7 seconds and go on to an electronically limited top speed of 155mph.

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If you’re after an SLC that’ll be cheap to run, then the SLC 250d diesel is the one to go for. It’ll return 64.2mpg and has CO2 emissions of just 114g/km, which will mean an annual road tax bill of just £30. At the other end of the spectrum sits the AMG version, which will return just 36.2mpg and emits 178g/km of CO2, for an annual tax bill of £225

Safety systems

As with most current Mercedes models, the new SLC comes with a host of updated or brand-new safety and driver-assistance systems. All versions, for example, get Active Brake Assist, which can automatically reduce the car's speed if it detects an impending front-on collision.

Cars fitted with the optional LED headlights get a system that adapts the lights’ beams to the conditions, shaping them around any oncoming vehicles, so as to illuminate as much of the road as possible without dazzling oncoming drivers.

Cars fitted with the optional COMAND Online infotainment system come with Traffic Sign Assist, which uses cameras and the sat nav to detect road signs and inform you of speed-limit changes or potential hazards.

The SLC also comes with a system that automatically deactivates the passenger airbag if the seat is unoccupied, or if it senses that a child seat is in use. A reversing camera is also available as an option.

The new SLC is on sale now, with prices ranging from £30,495 for the entry-level SLC 200 Sport to £46,355 for the top-of-the-range AMG SLC 43. First cars are likely to arrive in the UK in April.