2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG Revealed

2012 SLK 55 AMG

Images and details of the flagship in Mercedes-Benz' SLK line-up have surfaced online, with the new 2012 SLK 55 AMG appearing in the German press this weekend.

The AMG-enhanced SLK's styling tweaks include smoked headlights, the familiar AMG bumper design front and rear, and larger light-alloy wheels.

As reported late last month, the new SLK hero car is powered by a naturally-aspirated version of AMG's 5.5 litre V8 engine, producing 315kW and 540Nm of torque - 46kW and 30Nm up on the previous model.

The new engine also gains AMG's Cylinder Management system which allows for improved fuel efficiency through cylinder deactivation. According to Mercedes, the 30-millisecond switch to four-cylinder operation (at 3600rpm) is "immediate and imperceptible".

Equipped with a seven-speed AMG SpeedShift automatic transmission, fuel consumption for the new SLK AMG is listed at 8.5 l/100km, marking a 30 percent improvement over its less powerful predecessor.

The 0-100km/h sprint is listed at 4.6 seconds - down from 4.9 seconds - and top speed is an electronically-limited 250km/h.

Australia

The new SLK 55 AMG is expected to make its global debut at September's Frankfurt Motor Show.

Speaking with TMR, Mercedes-Benz Australia's David McCarthy said that production slots for Australia have not yet been locked in.

"I don't think we'll see it here before 2012, definitely not before the first quarter. A launch sometime in the first half is definitely expected, though," Mr McCarthy said.