2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG SLC 43

Powering the rear wheels of the hardtop is a Bi-turbo 3.0L V6 engine married to an AMG-enhanced 9-speed automatic transmission. This combination churns out a powerful 385 hp and 384 lb.-ft. of torque. Costing 63,900, the convertible dashes the 0-60 mph in 4.7s. The sports convertible comes with a host of luxury and athletic features by the manufacturer. The hardtop sees a tough competition with its English snob counterpart, the costlier Jaguar F-Type Convertible, and its German rival, the Porsche 718 Boxster. Where does the SLK, err, SLC stand in the competition? Read on the review to find out.

Offered in a single configuration, the SLC 43 AMG Roadster costs $63,900 and comes powered by a 3.0L Biturbo engine configured in V6 form. Mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission, the Mercedes hardtop powers the rear wheels and is offered in a host of features kitted by the marquee in Stuttgart. The SLC 43 is in fact an AMG-enhanced convertible, rather than a fully crafted machine by the performance division.

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Get the Dynamic Handling Package. It drops the SLC 43’s suspension even lower, adds adaptive dampers and stiffer steering components for better grip and handling. Albeit it only betters a little bit over the stock car. If you want complete media package with the likes of harmon/Kardon sound system and Apple Carplay and Android Auto, invest $4500 in the Premium Package.

"The SLC 43 (and the SLC 300) encourages spirited driving, and it's suitably quick. However, it isn't as engaging or as thrilling as an Audi TT, BMW Z4, Jaguar F-Type or Porsche Boxster. Some of these alternatives may be slower, but the sensation of speed and confidence is in their favor." -edmunds

Propelling the convertible is a Biturbo 3.0L 6-cylinders engine. Mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission, the convertible throws all that power through its rear wheels. Being only a tuned powertrain by the performance division, the AMG power unit under the hood is still a quick and athletic machine. Its performance is impressive for daily driving and sonorous pops and hustles of the V6 come to forefront. The gear shifts are similar to its engine counterpart along with butter smooth and quick shifts.

Its rivals are a mix breed sat in the pit with a V8 in the Chevrolet Stingray, a 4-cylinder in the 718 S Roadster, and the rest house a V6. In terms of output, the SLC 43 AMG is right in the middle of its rivals.

Acceleration

The AMG under the Silver Arrow can zip it from 0-60 mph in 4.7s while crossing the quarter mile in 14s. Clearly, while the convertible is relatively quick, it is just not the quickest in the lot. Its rivals zip pass the German 2-seater with the unexpected 718 Boxster and the M4 Convertible leading the competition, then comes the F-Type. Except for the Stingray's V8 and Porsche's 4-cylinders, the entire field houses a similar powertrain but due different weight and ofcourse, tuning, you'd find different results for each manufacturer.

Handling and Braking

The Mercedes SLC AMG is a great sports car. While not relatively as engaging as its rivals, the SLC 43 AMG does however handle with poise and nimbleness. The enthusiast machine is anything but that when taken over stiff or uneven tarmac where it begins to feel less composed.

Fitted with a firm suspension, the convertible offers sufficient grip when taking chicanes or corners while its steering has precision and accurate feedback. Otherwise the electromechanical wheel feels rather heavy. Tweak up the available driving modes to Sport or Sport+, the SLC 43 AMG tends to get more aggressive with stiffer suspension and steering feedback.

Fitted with high performance AMG sports brakes system on the SLC 43, the front and rear discs do a great job in stopping this almost-4000-pound-heavy convertible. Even in its driving dynamics, the brakes coupled with torque vectoring help braking with stability even in corners.

With the SLC 43 AMG, the convertible drives with a decent fuel economy with 23 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and a combined mpg of 20. Alongside its rivals, the Mercedes SLC is quite an efficient sports hardtop. However its arch-nemesis, the Porsche comes close to it in its frugality race.

"The SLC's interior comes across as dated. Other Mercedes vehicles have a more graceful cabin aesthetic, better materials quality and more advanced technology features." -edmunds

Inside this convertible, the Mercedes SLC 43 packs comfortable and heated seats wrapped in black nappa leather while moulding the cabin with opulence and luxury. Seating only 2, the convertible houses spacious and contoured seats with generous headspace and legroom but as a wide car, you'd feel a tad stuffed due to less shoulder room.

Tall passengers would thank a bit of extra headroom when the roof is put down. Trimmed with gracious quality and high materials, the SLC 300 would surely put a smile on your face when seated inside the cabin.

Interior Features

Get into the SLC 300 roadster and some list of interior features you'd find are -

• Power seats with Memory
• Dual-Zone Climate Control
• 4-way Power Steering Column
• Electric Trunk Partition
• Integrated Compass
• Power windows with express open/close
• Brake HOLD Feature

Infotainment System

Featuring an Mbrace 7" infotainment system and COMAND online navigation, the SLC 43's system houses a clean and crisp display with clarity even in the sun. Controlled via the rotary knob on the center console, the system is intuitive and gets the job done with ease. But the system needs a revamp as seen on the other Mercedes vehicles.

Cargo volume

With the Ford Mustang equipping the best cargo capacity in the competition, the Mercedes SLC 43 AMG comes second with 10.1 cubic feet, with the Stingray sharing the podium with it. The Silver Arrow's trunk has decent amount of luggage volume for a convertible and the rest of the rivals see a tough competition in this segment.

"The Mercedes-Benz SLC gets the sports-car essentials right." -thecarconnection

Having carried over untouched from its 2019 variant, the 2020 Mercedes SLC 43 AMG Roadster is a fine, thin and edgy looking sports convertible. Well-proportioned with straight lines, a long bonnet and short rear overhangs, the hardtop takes 20 seconds to either drop, becoming a coupe or fold to the beauty of a sexy roadster.

The short and wide roadster drives with 18" 10-spoke AMG titanium wheels rolling on all fours, and appears sleek and modern. Its chrome-accented diamond grille alongside the large Silver Arrow insignia, and LED headlamps compose the front fascia; come to the sides and the curves show up their prominence with sporty air-intakes by the fenders. Rear? A nostalgic classic bulbous Mercedes of the last generation.

Exterior Features

Some exterior features on the SLC 43 AMG roadster are as follows -

• Retractable Hardtop
• Chrome-tipped diamond-block grille
• Dual Roll Bars
• LED Daytime running lamps and LED taillamps
• Heated side mirrors with power fold-in

With a host of safety features kitted in the SLC 43 AMG by the Silver Arrows, the convertible should keep you protected from disaster if struck. While not being tested by IIHS or NHTSA, it does however come with a rigid structure and as aforementioned features to prevent collisions or reduce its impact. Some of the features include -

• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
• Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
• Adaptive Braking Technology
• Rearview Camera
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• NECK-PRO head restrains
• Dual Roll Bars
• Advanced Tire Pressure Monitor System

Mercedes SLC 43 AMG vs Jaguar F-Type Convertible

The English Feline costs substantially more than the Mercedes SLC 43 AMG Roadster but it also is a more luxurious and similarly powered convertible. With the Jaguar F-Type's exotic and beautiful design, the Mercedes also loses out to the English snob in terms of equipment and overall driving dynamics. However the price difference may put you off and if you don't mind having just a tad less at such a difference, the Silver Arrow should be your choice of poison.

Mercedes SLC 43 AMG Roadster vs Porsche 718 Boxster

The Mercedes does not even come close to the athleticism and opulence of the Porsche. While costing 10k more than the SLC 43 AMG Roadster and fitted with a 4-cylinders, the 718 Boxster still makes sure that price difference is worth it by kitting the Boxster with almost everything a sports convertible should house. The German rivals truly have no comparison and if you can afford a further ten grand, Porsche's racing heritage should appeal more than the Silver Arrow.

The rebadged SLC over the SLK from the previous generation does not really promise anything revamped except for its nomenclature. Both, the relatively ageing exterior design and interior, are better in most competitors out there. While having decent driving dynamics, its performance lacks the punch. In this review, we found there is absolutely limited reasons as to why you should buy an otherwise good SLC 43 AMG Roadster when you have much better rivals out there.