Mercedes->ke187 is preparing to replace the current SLS sports car with the new SLC sports car. While there were rumors suggesting there wouldn't be a roadster version for the upcoming SLC, chances are that Mercedes will opt for the same options available on the SLS: coupe, roadster and Black Series.
The SLC Roadster will be nearly identical to the coupe version, except of course the convertible top in place of the fixed roof. Both the coupe and the roadster versions will be built on the same aluminum-intensive engineering layout as the SLS, but with a different exterior look. Both models will drop the famous gullwing doors and will adopt conventional, forward-swinging ones.
Under the hood, the roadster->ke1418 version will get the same engines as the coupe: a base V-8 with about 485 horsepower, an S model with the V-8 tweaked to about 550 horsepower and a Black Series with the eight-cylinder pushed to about 585 horsepower.
The roadster version is expected to arrive a few months after the coupe and will be priced at about $150k.
Click past the jump to read more about the Mercedes SLC Roadster.
2015 Mercedes SLC Roadster
- Make: Array
- Model: 2015 Mercedes SLC Roadster
- Engine/Motor: V8
- Horsepower: 500
- [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Rendering
We have based our rendering on the one we did for the coupe version, but we removed the top and lengthened the trunk a little -- standard stuff for any convertible. Other thank those mild tweaks, everything else remains the same as the coupe.
Competitors
Mercedes is building the SLC as a direct response to the Porsche 911 lineup, and while the coupe aims against models like the Turbo 911 Coupe, the roadster version will target the 911 Turbo Convertible.
Just like with the coupe version, the new 911 Turbo Convertible is powered by a 3.8-liter six-cylinder engine delivering either 520 horsepower in the standard model, or 560 horsepower in the S version.
The 911 Turbo coupe can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds and goes up to a top speed of 197 mph and we expect similar specifications figures for the convertible version.
The Audi R8 V10 Spyder was refreshed for the 2014 model year, just like with all the other R8 models. It received an updated exterior look and new features for the interior.
Under the hood, the R8 V10 features a 5.2-liter V-10 engine that delivers 525 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and 391 pound-feet of torque at 6,500 rpm. That's good enough to post an improved 0-to-62 mph time of just 3.8 seconds with a top speed of 193.25 mph.