Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG Special Series

If the already insanely fast SLK 55 AMG wasn't sporty enough for you Mercedes-Benz has announced a new special series edition of the SLK 55 AMG that ups the ante even further in the roadster segment. The heart of the SLK beast remains the AMG messaged 5.5L V8 producing 400 hp and 384 ft-lbs of torque but the biggest change for the Special Series SLK is it's no longer a convertible! Gone is the engineering marvel that is the folding hardtop SLK roof and replaced by a fixed carbon-reinforced plastic top. This not only shaves weigh from the car but lowers the center of gravity.

"The puristic special series of the SLK 55 AMG is with a curb weight of 1,495 kg according to EC standard 45 kg lighter than the basic vehicle. This means that the power/weight ratio has improved from 4.3 to 3.7 kg/hp" - Mercedes Benz press release. The SLK Special Series should be good for a 0 - 60 mph run in just over 4.5 seconds, while rolling on 19-inch AMG Wheels and height-adjustable torsion sports suspension. No word on whether this SLK will make it to North America but for our friends in Europe it's available for EUR 107,300 ($135,713).

Performance, driving dynamics and lightweight construction in perfection: With 294 kW/400 hp: exclusive, puristic special series of the Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG

As the only eight-cylinder roadster in its segment the Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG provides unique driving experience. The two-seater is now even more sporty: Mercedes AMG has developed an exclusive and distinctly puristic special series which sets new standards in driving dynamics. With the AMG 5.5-litre V8 engine enhanced to 294 kW/400 hp and 520 Newton metres, numerous lightweight construction components, carbon hardtop, 19-inch AMG forged wheels, AMG height-adjustable torsion sports suspension and AMG high-performance composite brake system the special SLK 55 AMG demonstrates even more convincingly its sports talent - and makes a good figure on any closed course.

Wide, stocky and low slung - the first impression already makes it clear that the SLK 55 AMG is something very special. The front of the car fascinates with the restyled AMG front apron with large air intakes which supply the additional transmission oil cooler and the high-performance steering gear oil cooler with sufficient fresh air. New side air outlets of black carbon ensure an effective flow through of the larger engine oil cooler. The front fenders which are now wider are made of the ultra-light carbon-fibre-reinforced-plastic (CRP) and have black out-lined air outlets.

The non-retractable hardtop of the two-seater is also made of CRP; the black central part with carbon fibre structure provides attractive optical effects. Dis-carding of the vario roof and the complete roof hydraulics has not only enabled a lowering of the centre of gravity, but has also resulted in a notable reduction of weight - the puristic special series of the SLK 55 AMG is with a curb weight of 1,495 kg according to EC standard 45 kg lighter than the basic vehicle. This means that the power/weight ratio has improved from 4.3 to 3.7 kg/hp.

AMG 5.5-litre V8 engine with 294 kW/400 hp and 520 Nm torque

Appropriate to the optimised weight there is a redeveloped AMG 5.5-litre V8 engine under the bonnet with a maximum performance of 294 kW/400 hp, as well as a 520 Newton metres torque. A modified air intake, AMG sports air filter as well as newly developed fan-type exhaust pipes provide an efficient gas cycle and enable that the eight-cylinder reacts more promptly to accelerator pedal movement - which is acoustically noticeable due to the unmistakable V8 sound. The combination of a lower vehicle weight and a high-performance AMG eight-cylinder engine guarantees first-class driving performance: the acceleration from zero to 100 km/h requires only 4.5 seconds (standard vehicle: 4.9 secs.), after 15.5 seconds the SLK 55 AMG already achieves 200 km/h (standard vehicle 17.5 secs.). Power transmission is supplied by the AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC with manual drive program and AMG aluminium shift paddles on the steering wheel. The chassis and brake system are the ideal partners for the dynamic drive package. For example, the AMG height-adjustable torsion suspension, including adjustable shock absorbers, which has been optimised on the racetrack, allows amazing cornering speed. A brace in the engine compartment provides additional rigidity and more lateral dynamics. The special series SLK 55 AMG has ultra-light AMG forged light alloy-wheels with mixed-size tyres in sizes 235/35 ZR 19 (front) and 265/30 ZR 19 (rear) - as an alternative, optional special sports tyres are available without extra charge. Perfect deceleration is guaranteed by the AMG high-performance brake system with larger composite discs on the front axle.

Interior functional atmosphere of a real racing car

The racing design is consistently continued in the interior: two specially developed AMG sport bucket seats without side airbags in black pearl velour with silver AMG logo offer the best lateral support, the new AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel in leather and Alcantara enables perfect control of the vehicle. Ample carbon fibre on the door panel lining as well as on the trim parts give the interior the functional atmosphere of a real racing car - and are an affirmation of the almost 40 years of Mercedes-AMG motorsport history.

Despite potential racetrack driving dynamics the special SLK 55 AMG has all the virtues typical of any Mercedes-Benz car: everyday suitability, safety, durability, quality and standards of service for the most demanding requirements. The first models of the unlimited AMG special series will be supplied to customers as of July. The price in Germany is 107,300 euros (incl. 16% VAT).

2009 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

This gorgeous two-seat coupe turns out to be the latest chapter in the on-again/off-again thriller that centers on the chances that Alfa Romeo will one day soon be reunited with U.S. buyers. The 450-hp 8C Competizione is, we’ve been assured repeatedly, a certainty to reach our shores. We might even say we’re confident that by the end of 2007 Americans will be able to drive away from the local Maserati dealership in an Alfa.

A concept car at the Frankfurt show in 2003, the 8C was intended to be an expensive, limited-edition sports car that would promote the resurgence of the Alfa Romeo brand. Struggles within the company nearly killed the 8C, as some deemed its Maserati engine and high price out of step with the rest of the more reasonable Alfa lineup of sporty family sedans and coupes. But now Alfa has promised to build the 8C, in part to establish itself in the U.S. prior to the arrival of the less expensive, more mainstream Brera and Spider that, we last heard, will be sold in U.S. showrooms sometime in 2010.

The production 8C, which will meet federal regulations here, is remarkably close to the concept. At a cost of about $175,000, 500 will be built for European consumption and will have to be ordered directly from Alfa’s home office in Italy. Stateside, Maserati will sell a production run of 99 of these cars for about $200,000 apiece. A special facility at Maserati’s headquarters in Modena has been set up to build the 8C. Production is set to start next September. Alfa expects to build 600 of these cars over 18 months and then cease production.

The engine under the long hood of the 8C is a version of Maserati’s V-8. Enlarged to 4.7 liters with an expected output of 450 horsepower, the engine will drive the rear wheels via a rear-mounted six-speed transmission or a sequential-manual gearbox. Under the curvaceous carbon-fiber-composite skin is a steel unibody similar to that of the Maserati Coupé. Alfa toyed around with producing a convertible, but that idea has been abandoned. We’re just hoping Alfa doesn’t abandon the whole idea of selling cars here.

BY RAY HUTTON.

2008 Alfa Romeo Spider

The powerful 200 bhp 2.4 JTDM 20v engine is now available on the Alfa Spider family, combined with a sporty 6-speed gearbox. The new version will be on the market in Italy and Germany in mid February, followed shortly thereafter by the other markets.

It guarantees excellent power and torque delivery and low fuel consumption in all driving conditions; in fact performance by the 200 bhp Alfa Spider 2.4 JTDM 20v is superb (it has a top speed of more than 228 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 8.4 seconds), yet consumption is limited: in the urban cycle the car consumes 9.2 litres every 100 km, out of town this becomes 5.4 litres and in the mixed cycle it is about 6.8 litres.

The 200 bhp 2.4 JTDM engine is a jewel of automotive engineering that confirms Fiat Auto’s supremacy in this field. Ever since it first developed the Multijet system, the Fiat Group has set its stamp on the diesel engine market. The Alfa Spider’s new Multijet engine respects Euro 4 limits and incorporates a DPF (particulate trap) that eliminates fine dust, already meeting the limits currently envisaged for future Euro 5 legislation. It is a ‘for life’ system that does not need to be regenerated with additives, and will be eligible for tax incentives.


In Italy, the price of the car on the road will be Euro 39,800.00 for the Alfa Spider 2.4 JTDM version and Euro 41,800.00 for the Alfa Spider Exclusive 2.4 JTDM