Mercedes Powers Up With Special Edition SLK 55 AMG
When the second generation Mercedes-Benz SLK hit the market in 2005, critics unanimously declared it a true sports car. While the original car, which debuted back in 1997, won hearts with its endearingly cute looks and clever folding hardtop roof, it wasn’t exactly the most brilliant thing to drive. It was heavy and underpowered, consistently overshadowed by other two-seat performance convertibles for thrills.
It’s a much different story with the new SLK, a car that’s miles and miles ahead of the previous generation in all areas. Its roof is more clever, its looks are sportier and its interior quality is much improved. It’s also a better driving car that’s faster in a straight line, as it’s now powered by Benz’s impressive 268-hp 3.5-litre V6, or even more impressive naturally aspirated 5.5-litre V8 in ‘55 AMG’ guise. Add to that precise rack and pinion steering, a front-mid engine layout, plus near 50-50 weight distribution, and the SLK is even faster and more stable around corners.
With poise, muscle and true sporting pedigree, Benz decided to promote the new SLK by using the performance 55 AMG model as the official safety car for Formula One racing. After successfully leading hundreds of millions of dollars of leading-edge F1 cars around the world’s best racing circuits for two years, the SLK now has a chance to be a participant in racing, thanks to a wealthy Asian investor. In collaboration with Mercedes-Benz and its tuning division AMG, a new one-model racing series in the Far East was created, and will include events in China, Indonesia and Thailand. The vehicle of choice for the racing series is the purpose-engineered SLK 55 AMG Ultimate Experience Asia model.