It’s official – Mercedes-Benz intends to take on the iconic Porsche 911 with a sport-oriented two-door model that will revive the historic SLC nameplate.
Mercedes chief Dieter Zetsche confirmed to Autocar that the “baby SLS” has received the green light as part of a new-model blitz that will take place over the next three years.
Concrete details on the SLC are scarce, but a report from Car and Driver suggests it will be front-engined and ride on a shortened version of the SLS’ lightweight aluminum platform. The 911-sized car will be jointly engineered by Mercedes and AMG and borrow the design language used on the SLS (although it will not boast gullwing doors).
What will reside in the engine bay is a complete mystery – some sources point to AMG’s glorious 6.2-liter V8, others suggest a V6, while still others state that the SLC will pack an all-new 4.0-liter V8 force fed by a pair of turbochargers.
In any event, the SLC will utilize Mercedes’ current seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and feature a significant amount of aluminum components that will help keep curb weight to roughly 3700 lbs.
The SLC will likely start around $120,000, but it will be more overtly sporty than Mercedes’ similarly priced droptop SL roadsters. A convertible version with a fabric top is also expected.
SLC Heritage
Enthusiasts not well-versed on Mercedes-Benz’s history might not recall the SLC badge. Used from 1971 to 1981, it described a more personal luxury coupe-oriented version of the popular SL roadster. The SLC had a larger interior than the SL thanks to its significantly longer wheelbase. Although not a huge seller in absolute terms, the car was a moneymaker and image builder for Mercedes-Benz despite its somewhat awkward roofline and, in North America, its enormous NHTSA-mandated 5 mph bumpers.
