does anyone know if/when a 63 might be out?

SLKs are a heck of a lot of fun, and i'd consider getting one with the 63 engine.

the non-US black and asia cars, with i think ~400hp are a tremendous kick. i imagine that an SLK63 would eclipse even those cars.

any crystal ***** out there?

 

Yes and mine says it is not coming..... Not in this body style.

 

Look for it in 2009' - "current body style can't fit the 6.3 due to its 2 fuel pumps" - Rob Allan FORMER AMG Product Manager @ AMGFest 06' at MBHQ

 

I think I will believe Schiznick on this one.

Maybe AMG Black Series power and shedding a few pounds will be in the near future for the SLK

 

They need to do something, 355HP is pathetic now that even the regular merc V8 is putting out 380+

 

Remember they do not offer the 550 engine in the SLK..... The only way to get a V8 in the SLK is via AMG.

As mentioned, I would think that the SLK55 would get a HP bump of some kind but to the original question, I don't think it will be a 6.3.

 

No 63 series until the R172 is the response whenever anyone close to MB/AMG is asked. I wouldn't be surprised though to see the current model bumped to ~400hp as a last hurrah for the R171 - the current 5.4L engine is easily capable of it as AMG has already proven with the black series car.

 

True... but the SLK is one of the lightest MB's out there with +300hp...

I think Fishtailz is right, with the look of things, MB will probably keep it for the R173 (or something).

Don't hold your breath

 

It is unfortunate that MB and MBUSA refuse to satisfy the market segment that would be satisfied by building an SLK63. They both know the products sought by the consumer. The consumers are vocal. There is no question that this vehicle would be outstanding.

 

Problem is it would eclipse the SL in performance which may cost MB money. I foresee a 400HP 5.4L version or SLK63 (if detuned) down to 400hp eventually. This is almost a necessity with the upcoming 400HP M3.

 

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-class cozies up to the range-topping S-class with its styling and much of its equipment. New features will include Keyless Go; a panorama roof; seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions; DVD-based navigation; Bluetooth; an iPod dock; voice controls; and swiveling headlamps.

Of the nine different C-class models, U.S. buyers are likely to see the C230 (2.5-liter V-6, 201 hp, 181 lb-ft), the C280 (3.0-liter V-6, 228 hp, 221 lb-ft), the C350 (3.5-liter V-6, 268 hp, 258 lb-ft), and, of course, the C63 AMG (6.2-liter V-8, 450 hp, 440 lb-ft). All U.S.-bound cars should get Mercedes' seven-speed automatic. A new 4Matic all-wheel-drive system features a 45/55 rear-biased torque split for improved handling.

The sedan grows in length (2.2 in), width (1.7 in), and wheelbase (1.8 in) and will offer more trunk space, but, commendably, it doesn't gain any weight. Insiders claim that quality is greatly improved, particularly that of the plastics, the instruments, and the secondary controls. In some areas, the C-class is said to be superior to the S-class. We'll judge for ourselves after the C-class makes its debuts--the sedan at the Geneva auto show in March and the wagon in the fall at Frankfurt.

http://www.automobilemag.com/new_and..._benz_c_class/



hope slk63 in 2009

 

I just can't see Mercedes not putting the 6.3L V8 in the SLK for 2008 when the facelift arrives. Surely there is an engineering fix for having 2 fuel pumps. We're talking about Mercedes here. They've made big V8s fits in engine bays that weren't originally designed for them before. Remember the W124 400 and 500E models? The outgoing C55 had surgery to get the 5.4L V8 to fit so I don't buy this about the SLK not getting the 6.2L V8 for 2008. I'll believe it when I see it. A SLK63 with 450hp would be a riot.

M

 

Hello,

It's my understanding that the AMG 6.3 engine was specifically designed to fit all MB cars C-Class and up - including the SLK (which is a C-Class derivative).

Positioning of ancillaries such as fuel pumps is part of the process of fitting any engine into an engine bay and (while I haven't spoken with the engine designer personally) this would mean the position of the 6.3's pumps must be amenable to it being fitted into an SLK as this was one of the primary requirements for the engine's design to be able to be fitted into our car.

We are seeing the new C63AMG next year (I have a mate that just bought a new C55AMG only 2 months ago - I don't have the heart to tell him!).

This brings a few things to mind.

(1) Standardisation of the AMG Model line-up.

AMG is striving for a more co-ordinated model line-up for the already confusing range of options out there. Currently the term '55' in a model's name could include both supercharged and non-supercharged cars - which is really confusing. Even the '63's and '65's are confusing people as they sound almost the same.

AMG has been moving towards having the 6.3 as their entry level engine in all models. There are cost savings in having one less engine to manufacture, maintain, and to hold parts for into the future and the SLK55 will soon be the only car out of the 140-odd engine/model combinations at Benz with the M113 engine.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_M113_engine)

Hmmm...

(2) Driveability with more power?

The SLK55 has possibly one technical saving grace that could keep the current engine (although likely upped to 400+hp after a facelift) in place for the duration of the R171 - and that's it's wheelbase - it's so short that putting much more mumbo through it could make the car too much of a handful for most drivers.

I've thrashed every AMG around a track and in tight bends the SLK55 is the only one which squirms and jumps about to the point that (in comparison to the other AMG's mind you) it's very difficult to find the balance between traction and acceleration without lighting up the bags. And that's with 355hp. Up this to 400+hp (you'll need better tyres mind you because the Pirelli's can't cope as it is) and you'll have quite a handful.

I remember reading why AMG chose not to fit an LSD to the SLK55 and the reason was that after testing they decided that it became simply too challenging for a normal driver to handle.

Food for thought perhaps?

AMG doesn't have a magic differential like BMW M3's up their sleeve so more power will simply mean the car gets quicker but harder to drive out of the twisties. I've driven mine on a skid-pan and there's simply no way I can drift it even with the stock motor - the C55 is a whole different ballgame due to the extra length and 5-speed box (but that's headed for the bin). I personally have concerns that the SLK63 would be more of a monster than a weapon. More a dragster than sportscar. But what would I know...

AMG is on record saying that the reason they have no plans for an SLK63 is that the performance potential of the R171 is already effectively reached with the 55 engine. That was 18 months ago by the Senior Product Planner at the Geneva Show.

But...

(3) The SLK55 Black Series shows more mumbo might just be a good thing.

Since then we've seen the SLK55 Black Series (which has raised that limit - yoo-hoo!!) but note the significant revisions in suspension dynamics and most importantly wheels and tyres that are optimised for track use. Some but not all of these changes are applicable to a future road-going SLK63. With current tyre technology a 400+hp SLK would be a mild pain -I've enough problems getting away from lights without breaking traction as it is!

Tyres are improving all the time though and could make such a car viable...could it be just a matter of time until this happens?

(4) Bragging rights.

The new 'standard' M273 5.5L Benz V8 makes a bit of a laughing stock of the M113 AMG 5.4L. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_M273_engine).

When I could potentially lose face bragging to a bone-stock E500 owner I'm just not sure that makes me a happy chappie! I understand that bragging rights are a big thing in the US (ok ok - here too!) and I for one am a bit embarrassed sometimes to hear from people who just bought GM/Holden's latest HSV GTS sedan here in Australia with 307kW that they have 40 more kW and paid less than half the price I did!

Both cars do 0-100km/h in 4.9s and I end up looking like a bit of a loser to be honest...

For customers being asked to pay AMG's heavy price premium they have every right to expect that if they're paying top dollar - they get top 'numbers' for it. These things must be on the mind of the AMG Marketing guys. They just have to be.

(5) But the SLK55AMG is in high demand in it's current form...

The SLK55 is selling very well indeed - MB Australia have no Demonstrators (they sold them all - if it's on wheels it's for sale is MB Australia's motto!) and all new cars are sold out and if you want one they're order only (5 month wait) and on the second-hand market they only last a few days before being snapped up. We don't have quotas for 55's - they're a catalogue item here just as everywhere else but the model is in extremely high demand in it's current form.

AMG is a business - they're out to make money just like you and me. If sales drop - which is likely at some point in the future - they will need to do something about it. It would seem the new M3 would be the most likely near-term influence but the impact of this may not be that great as there is already quite a waiting list and so there won't be much impact on SLK55 sales for a while after it's release 'cos you just can't get your hands on one.

But the M3 won't be the only car the SLK55 will have to fend off...

http://www.leftlanenews.com/2007/01/08/2008-lexus-is-f/

It doesn't take much to realise that there will be others like this - and they'll just keep getting faster and faster. Cars like this change the competitive environment into which the SLK55 is sold - and the car simply HAS TO evolve in order for sales to remain at profitable levels. IMHO an uprated SLK55 is the cheapest option for AMG to stay competitive but this would max-out the engine's development potential - so would only work for a period of time. We know the 6.3 goes up to 518hp in naturally aspirated form - that's tons of room for a 420hp-odd SLK63 to be cranked up to if the competition gets a move on!

(6) AMG is a flexible company.

AMG have shown remarkable boldness in the performance marketplace - the SL55AMG was the sentinel car that brought passenger-car manufacturers head to head with the likes of Ferrari and Porsche - and the 65's still keep the motoring press shaking their heads in disbelief - but while bold on their own AMG is also a very responsive company to changes in the marketplace.

Here are some quotes from the AMG Chairman Volker Mornhinweg:
(full text http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...cleId=116632#3)

- Re another AMG diesel: "if demand were to grow in the U.S., we could respond quickly because we have the knowledge and the competency."

- "If the market started to demand (all-wheel drive) we could respond, quickly."

- "We must ask, "What is in it for the brand?" and every car must be profitable."

The overriding feeling I get from this guy is that he has a job to do - and that's to give the market what it wants - regardless.

If demand is there for an SLK63 and not for an SLK55 - you can bet your Daimler-Chrysler stock certificates that's what you'll see in your local Benz dealer's showroom - our resale values be damned!

I can only hope the current car keeps selling well enough there won't be the need.

Only time will tell.

JD

Sydney Australia

 

i have to disagree with only one point: the SLK55 isn't the only AMG that wiggles around at the rear.

my CLK55 and the CLK63s i've driven wiggled significantly. the SLK55s i've driven -- black and asia -- were entirely stable at all times and speeds, which approached 145 mph.