Mercedes-Benz has announced styling changes and new steering for the SLK 55 AMG, aiming to give the eight-cylinder roadster greater agility combined with an even more striking appearance.

For the first time, the car now features direct steering with variable servo assistance, making the 355bhp two-seater more responsive. The handling dynamics have also been sharpened, while improvements to the AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC transmission result in faster gearchanges.

As to its appearance, the SLK 55 AMG sports a new front apron with a more pronounced arrow-shape, modified Mercedes star, enlarged air dams and a black-painted transverse fin on the lower section. Together with dark-tinted headlamps, the car now has a ‘distinctly masculine aura’ and a more ‘athletic’ look. The specific AMG bodystyling also includes AMG side-skirts, a muscular AMG rear apron with black insert and an AMG spoiler lip.



New features also include dark-tinted projection-beam headlamps and larger exterior mirrors. In the functional and sporty interior, the new AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel with its three-spoke design gives a visual hint of the direct steering feature. The grip area is shaped and lined with perforated leather, while the vertical spoke is embellished by a silver-coloured insert. Two aluminium AMG shift paddles allow manual gear selection.

A package developed by the AMG Performance Studio, incorporating even higher-performance components, is available for the SLK 55 AMG on request. It includes an enhanced braking system, AMG performance suspension, and an AMG performance steering wheel with smaller diameter, flattened lower section and silver-coloured aluminium shift paddles.



The updated SLK 55 AMG Roadster will go on sale in April 2008. UK pricing will be confirmed early in the year.

Text: Charis Whitcombe
Photos: Mercedes-Benz