price107 300 EurosengineV8power298.3 kw / 400 bhp @ Not Available rpmbhp/weight267.56 bhp per weightdrive wheelsRWDbody / frameUnit Steel w/GRP Fendersfront brakesComposite Discsrear brakesDiscsfront tire size235/35 ZR 19rear tire size265/30 ZR 19weight1495 kg / 3296 lbstransmission7-Speed Speedsift0 - 60 mph4.4 seconds
Affalterbach, Jun 09, 2006-Mercedes AMG has developed an exclusive and distinctly puristic special series SLK. 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.

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 has a 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.

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.

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.

DThe 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).
Story by DaimlerChrysler, edited Supercars.net

 

Unfortunately the US never gets any of the good stuff.

J.Wade

 

this is kinda nice.

raja

 

Mine is the Regular more civalised slow version

 

If it only had DSG

 

nice looking SLK especially the carbon hardtop like CSL and M6!

 

Isn't this the same thing as the FIA Medical Car that Charlie (Whiting) runs around in before and after races?

 

Good call...the answer is they are very similar. The AMG Medical cars are wagons and the AMG Safety cars are the coupes.....FIA has been using AMG since the mid 90's for this purpose.

Now this is a bad **** the new AMG Safety for this year CLK 63:






AMG presents the new Formula 1 safety car
In its debut year, the brand-new CLK 63 AMG will also debut as the official FIA safety car for the 2006 Formula 1 season. With its 354 kW/481 hp AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine its modified brakes, suspension, cooling and exhaust system, and an extensive package of lightweight components, the fast-paced coupé is well prepared for its responsible role on the Formula 1 racing circuits. The first outing for the CLK 63 AMG safety car will be at the Bahrain Grand Prix (March 9 to 12, 2006); the standard version will then appear in the second quarter of 2006. Meanwhile, as in previous years, the C 55 AMG estate will be ready for action in all 18 Formula 1 races as the official medical car. Its job is to help as fast as possible at the scene of an emergency.
The CLK 63 AMG safety car will have the task of keeping the Formula 1 racecars safely out of trouble in the event of accidents or bad weather. At a signal from Race Control, the safety car piloted by former DTM driver Bernd Mayländer must move into position at the head of the field and lead the cars round the track at the fastest possible speed – since otherwise the high-engine F1 engines will overheat and the tyres will lose grip.
The high-speed AMG V8 Coupé is excellently equipped for this job. Its new, eight-cylinder naturally aspirated engine, which was developed entirely by AMG, has a displacement of 6.3 litres and develops maximum power of 354 kW/481 hp at 6800 rpm and maximum torque of 630 Newton metres at 5000 rpm. The power is managed by an AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission with steering-wheel shift paddles. For its Formula 1 role, the CLK 63 AMG gets a new throaty-sounding exhaust system which will go down well with motor sport fans both at the track and in front of the TV screens.
The new AMG safety car is well endowed with motor sport technology to help it brave any climate, including a high-performance radiator, two engine oil coolers fitted in the sides of the front apron and an auxiliary, larger transmission oil cooler. The rear axle differential has cooling fins and separate oil cooler.
Racing-derived suspension and brake technology
To optimise handling, further typical racing features of the safety car include an adjustable threaded suspension and 19-inch AMG forged alloy wheels with wide-base tyres, size 235/35 at the front and 265/30 at the rear. The safety car has a 70 millimetres wider track at the front and a 60 millimetres wider track at the rear than the standard car, as indicated by the wider wheel arches. The new larger-sized AMG high-performance brake system with excellent braking per-formance and fade characteristics features 390-millimetre composite discs at the front with six-piston callipers, and 330-millimetre steel brake discs with four-piston callipers at the rear. The brake discs are vented and perforated on all wheels. Since the front brakes take more load than the rear brakes, they are equipped with specially adapted cooling ducts.
150 kg lighter than the standard version due to high-tech components
In terms of performance, the AMG safety car gets an added edge from being more than 150 kilograms lighter than the road version – despite all the additional componentry such as communication equipment, lights, rear axle and brake cooling and the larger wheels and brake system. The Mercedes-AMG engineers made these substantial weight savings by using carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP), a high-tech material used in Formula 1 and the DTM. The front and rear aprons, the bonnet, the front wings and the doors are all made from this light-weight material. The AMG safety car weighs in at 1600 kilograms, making it more than 150 kilograms lighter than the standard CLK 63 AMG, which weighs 1755 kg (both figures EC kerb weight).
Sophisticated signalling system and communication equipment
The main visual indicators that this is not the standard CLK 63 AMG are the FIA F1 logos and the lights on the roof. The white strobe lights in the headlamps and taillights are always on when the car is in action. They have a neutral function and simply serve to attract attention. To communicate with Race Control, the safety car is equipped with a sophisticated radio system, a TV monitor and TV cameras mounted inside and outside the vehicle. Bernd Mayländer's "workplace" is fitted with two bucket seats with 4-point belts, exclusive silver/black leather upholstery, F1 sill panels, a high-grip AMG sports steering wheel and superior-quality carbon trim, all of which emphasise the special character of the new FIA safety car from Mercedes-AMG.
Mercedes-AMG has been supplying the Formula 1 safety car continuously for the past ten years.


J.Wade