SLK Pace Car
This one won't be seen at the health spa
This weekend at Silverstone Mercedes will roll out their SLK 55 AMG in the guise of safety car at the British Grand Prix.
In years gone by the SLK was favoured by middle aged women suffering post divorce trauma, but thanks to AMG this hot model will appeal to those with petrol in their veins rather than overbearing perfume.
The car has been treated to upgrades to the chassis, braking system, cooling and exhaust systems. It's also been put on a diet and benefits from a weight reduction of around 100kilos. Coupled with the 5.4 litre 355bhp V8, it should be a hoot to drive.
The Safety Car needs to be able to travel at high speed so that even when leading the field of F1 cars, the race cars are still travelling at sufficient speed not to overheat etc. Professional racing driver Bernd Mayländer will be behind the wheel.
tuffer said:
Has anyone else "heard" the C Class estate that they use at the GP's? That thing has had some serious work, it was really hooning it around in Spain and sounded tremendous.
I was in the pits after the race at Indy last year and they were running the engine in the doctors car - an E class AMG estate. They needed to use up the fuel before airfrieghting the car. So they asked me to sit in it and keep my foot on the accelerator. It sounded awesome. I which I'd had the courage to ask if I could have driven it up and down the pitlane.
Simon.
Marki said:
WOW! Cant wait for the 500 bhp monster to arrive, with the lighter weight than the SL 55 AMG, should be a serious car indeed!
I think this is it as far as the SLK go`s
Yes, the n/a V8 is the limit for the roadgoing C Class and SLK, which leaves room for the SL55. But as far as I know, the CLK55 and SLK55 used in F1 actually have the supercharged engine fitted, hence the four exhausts.
www.rsportscars.com/eng/cars/m_slk_f1.asp
for some details.
The standard one should be enough for most people though.
Unfortunately, when it's squealing its tyres rounding bends but the cars behind it are still having to slalom to keep their tyres warm it makes it all seem a little pedestrian!
Does bring home the speed of the F1 cars though cos, you know the SLK is quick!
Quite like the new SLK350; hopefully I'll be seeing the UK model today.
But the 'old' SLK320 still has an ageless look - and I'm neither a post-menopausal divorcee nor a hair dresser! Although I have to admit that mine did rather reek of overbearing perfume when I bought it!
>> Edited by nickwilcock on Saturday 10th July 09:22
Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff