Mercedes Powers Up With Special Edition SLK 55 AMG

When the second generation Mercedes-Benz SLK hit the market in 2005, critics unanimously declared it a true sports car. While the original car, which debuted back in 1997, won hearts with its endearingly cute looks and clever folding hardtop roof, it wasnt exactly the most brilliant thing to drive. It was heavy and underpowered, consistently overshadowed by other two-seat performance convertibles for thrills. Its a much different story with the new SLK, a car thats miles and miles ahead of the previous generation in all areas. Its roof is more clever, its looks are sportier and its interior quality is much improved. Its also a better driving car thats faster in a straight line, as its now powered by Benzs impressive 268-hp 3.5-liter V6, or even more impressive naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V8 in 55 AMG guise. Add to that precise rack and pinion steering, a front-mid engine layout, plus near 50-50 weight distribution, and the SLK is even faster and more stable around corners.

With poise, muscle and true sporting pedigree, Benz decided to promote the new SLK by using the performance 55 AMG model as the official safety car for Formula One racing. After successfully leading hundreds of millions of dollars of leading-edge F1 cars around the worlds best racing circuits for two years, the SLK now has a chance to be a participant in racing, thanks to a wealthy Asian investor. In collaboration with Mercedes-Benz and its tuning division AMG, a new one-model racing series in the Far East was created, and will include events in China, Indonesia and Thailand. The vehicle of choice for the racing series is the purpose-engineered SLK 55 AMG Ultimate Experience Asia model.

One of the biggest changes made to the Ultimate Experience is that its

roof is not retractable. Benz has removed the spectacular VarioRoof system, replacing it with fixed one made from unpainted carbon fiber to reduce

weight and simultaneously lowered the center of gravity. In the spirit

of Weight Watchers, extra-thin glass was used for therear window. The new roof itself saves an impressive 165 lbs alone by ditching its mechanical components, and if the optional composite-structure

passengers seat isnt fitted, a further 55 lbs is saved. Mind you, with a curb weight of 3,238 lbs, there is greater difference than 220 lbs between the standard SLK 55 AMG and the Ultimate Experience; further weight was pared by using lightweight reinforced plastics and carbon fiber for the interior, and by yanking out all the unnecessary electronics such as the navigation and stereo systems. It also features a racing seat with safety harness and full roll cage.

While the engine in the Ultimate Experience is no different than the production SLK 55 AMG in terms of the output, Mercedes-Benz has beefed it up to deal with the stresses of being punted around on a racetrack for dozens of laps at a time. Also, instead of having foglamps, this particular SLK has a reworked lower air dam which features a pair of intakes that supply fresh air to the new transmission oil cooler (left) and an additional oil cooler (right), not to mention better airflow to the power steering fluid reservoir to prevent it from overheating. With all that extra air taken in, Benz made sure it had somewhere to go once it was finished cooling things down; this particular SLK features enlarged vents on the front air dam, outlined in black carbon fiber trim, for those heat dissipating auxiliary devices as well as the hopped-up braking system.

Aside from making sure the car wouldnt grenade in the midst of a race, Benz also took great care in upgrading the suspension system for improved grip, response and durability. The Ultimate Experience has race-grade springs and dampers that are much firmer than those fitted to the production version, not to mention strengthened A-arms, tie-rods and driveshafts. For the rear differential Benz raided its parts bin, using the 3.27:1 ratio unit from the McLaren SLR supercar, and like a supercar, some of the heavier components have been shifted towards the rear of the car for better weight distribution. In the trunk youll now find the battery, and a special 21-gallon racing fuel tank that features foam inserts to keep the gasoline from sloshing about when in high g-force turns.

At all four corners, the SLK has new 19-inch forged aluminum alloy wheels which are said to weigh a third less than the wheels fitted to the standard car. The 235/40 series front tires and 265/35 series rear tires that wrap these multi-spoke alloys were specially developed for the Asia Experience by Pirelli. These work hand-in-hand with the steering, which has been recalibrated for improved feel and responsiveness.

It must be said, though, that those expecting to find a traditional manual or some new sort of sequential-manual gearbox will be disappointed by the fact that even this, the most honed SLK, uses a five-speed automatic. On the plus side it features two manual paddleshift modes; M1, which is equivalent to the standard manual mode on the production SLK 55 AMG, and M2, which produces faster, more hard-edged shifts.

To commemorate the Ultimate Experience Asia model, Mercedes-Benz is planning on producing a limited run of road-going cars called the SLK Tracksport. Interestingly, the production version is more powerful than the sanctioned road car. It produces 400 horsepower thanks to reworked inlet and exhaust timing, and hits 60 mph in 4.4 seconds before reaching a top speed of 186 mph; compared to the Ultimate Experiences 0-60 mph dash of 4.6 seconds and 174 mph top speed. Of course, all of the other changes highlighted for the Asia Experience model are included on the Tracksport, sans the safety harness and rollcage, which are optional.

Although Mercedes has not stated how many Tracksports will be made, only 35 Ultimate Experience Asia models will see the light of day, with total combined production commencing at a rate of 10 to 20 units per week. Estimated price for the road-going SLK Tracksport is 100,000 euro (equal to $120,850).