Mercedes SLK 55 AMG, the most powerful ever - Sportscars

The first hit is not the most exciting. It is normal that we live in a period of austerity, it is normal to respect the environment, but this is the first news that men AMG feel obligated to express concern about cutting (on request) cylinders, which is a bit of a concern. Do you want one of the most vocal V8s on the market to be muted? And the notorious bad reaction to throttle control will end badly? Do not worry. Second news: we have the most powerful SLK All the time. Good. Also because it turns out that cutting from 8 to 4 cylinders is rare. That is, between 800 and 3.600 rpm and only with the accelerator pedal slightly depressed. Not a new ploy to reduce consumption and emissions. It must also be said that "sacrifice" is quite tolerable. Primarily because, if the idea of ​​four-cylinder travel causes allergies, the modality ECO it can be bypassed simply by selecting sport mode (via the corresponding button on the dashboard). And also because, even when active, it does not detract from the caliber of the vehicle; on the contrary, it contributes to the fact that the consciousness adds a little in order in exchange for a very slight change in the tone of the engine. All this, however, without the slightest "hiccups" or hesitation in delivery. Plus, you shouldn't be offended to learn that despite the 8-liter V5,5 under the hood, you're driving 11,9 km on a liter of gasoline, emitting only 195 g / km of carbon dioxide. That is, 30 percent less than the old model (who had “only” 360 resumes).

Speaking of sustainability, SLK 55 AMG has everything you need to entertain and excite. Starting with an engine the same as the latest S Class, CLS, ML and E from AMG, but without the twin turbine: with its 422 horsepower and 540 Nm of torque at 4.500 rpm, it easily handles the displacement of 1.610 kg. in the order of the march of German discoveries. Every inch of the accelerator pedal translates into decisive, constant acceleration that knows no respite from 2.500 rpm to the limiter.

All this, as usual, is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack, real music that fans can enjoy live for 20 seconds. This is the time it takes to metal roof “Disappear” in the trunk, allowing a light breeze to caress your hair without tangling it too much: working in a wind tunnel made it possible to get good protection from rustles. And that is not all. Because in case of rain, as with the "regular" SLKs, the AMG is also available on Magic Sky Control Roof, capable of creating the effect of transforming with the roof closed: the roof from opaque becomes transparent at the touch of a button due to the presence of a plate condenser in the glass. In practice, when an electrical voltage is applied, the capacitor particles are oriented so that the sun's rays can pass through the glass. Conversely, as soon as the passage of electricity is interrupted, the particles are arranged so that the passage of light is hindered. Another convenience worth taking advantage of is the ability toAir scarf, a scarf with warm air that comes out of the front headrests and licks the neck.

Returning to driving, the 55 AMG celebrates mixed styling. The merit belongs Direct steering using variable power gain (decreases as speed increases) and trim. The first is progressive ratio steering, which becomes more and more direct as the steering angle increases. Thus, a very small amount of hand movement is enough to get from one corner to another, with a good perception of what is happening under the wheels. As for the suspension, it's a good compromise between handling and comfort as standard. The roughness absorption is higher than expected, while the swath is barely mentioned. For track day lovers, the Mercedes list instead providesPackage processing: € 4.641 including AMG Performance suspension, dedicated front brakes and limited slip differential.

In a picture of such noticeable dynamism, the only dissonant note is slowness. Speed in response to manual commands. Too often, a few moments pass between entering and actually shifting the gearbox, which is especially annoying when engaging: it's actually easy to get into a corner with too high a gear, engine at low revs, and front end drag. follow in the desired direction. Therefore, it is better to use the strategy Sports +, punctuality both uphill and downhill (accompanied by many automatic "understudies"). Finally, the focus on security is manic. The SLK offers active cruise control with Pre Safe (prevents or reduces rear-end collisions), Attention Assist (sleep impact warning), active whiplash head restraints and of course a roll bar. There is also a rich offer driving courses... It starts with a basic course (baptism on the trek), followed by an advanced course (1 day on the trek), a professional course (2 days on the trek with the help of pilots and telemetry) and a snow course (2 days on the trek). ice track).