2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG SLC 43

Trim	Mercedes Benz SLC 43 AMG Roadster
MSRP	63900
Key Features	Eco Start/Stop
	7" Infotainment system
	Brake Assist
	Heated Seats
	Multicolour LED ambient lighting
	Rearview Camera
	Power Seats with Memory
	Black Nappa Leather/DINAMICA Upholstery
	4-way power steering column

Offered in a single configuration, the SLC 43 AMG Roadster costs $63,900 and comes powered by a 3.0L Biturbo engine configured in V6 form. Mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission, the Mercedes hardtop powers the rear wheels and is offered in a host of features kitted by the marquee in Stuttgart. The SLC 43 is in fact an AMG-enhanced convertible, rather than a fully crafted machine by the performance division.

We recommend

Get the Dynamic Handling Package. It drops the SLC 43’s suspension even lower, adds adaptive dampers and stiffer steering components for better grip and handling. Albeit it only betters a little bit over the stock car. If you want complete media package with the likes of harmon/Kardon sound system and Apple Carplay and Android Auto, invest $4500 in the Premium Package.

With the SLC 43 AMG, the convertible drives with a decent fuel economy with 23 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and a combined mpg of 20. Alongside its rivals, the Mercedes SLC is quite an efficient sports hardtop. However its arch-nemesis, the Porsche comes close to it in its frugality race.

Model	Mercedes Benz SLC 43 AMG Roadster	BMW M4 Convertible	Jaguar F Type R Dynamic Convertible	Chevrolet Corvette Stingray w/1LT convertible	Porsche 718 S Roadster
MPG (city)	23	17	19	16	20
MPG (highway)	29	25	27	25	26
MPG (combined)	20	20	22	19	22

 

"The SLC's interior comes across as dated. Other Mercedes vehicles have a more graceful cabin aesthetic, better materials quality and more advanced technology features." -edmunds

Inside this convertible, the Mercedes SLC 43 packs comfortable and heated seats wrapped in black nappa leather while moulding the cabin with opulence and luxury. Seating only 2, the convertible houses spacious and contoured seats with generous headspace and legroom but as a wide car, you'd feel a tad stuffed due to less shoulder room.

Tall passengers would thank a bit of extra headroom when the roof is put down. Trimmed with gracious quality and high materials, the SLC 300 would surely put a smile on your face when seated inside the cabin.

Model	Mercedes Benz SLC 43 AMG Roadster	BMW M4 Convertible	Jaguar F Type R Dynamic Convertible	Chevrolet Corvette Stingray w/1LT convertible	Porsche 718 S Roadster
Passenger capacity	2	4	2	2	2
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38/52.2/42.5	40.4/55.3/42.2	37.0/56.5/43.0	37.9/55.2/43.0	N/A
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	-	37.1/49.8/33.1	-	-	-

 

Interior Features

Get into the SLC 300 roadster and some list of interior features you'd find are -

• Power seats with Memory
• Dual-Zone Climate Control
• 4-way Power Steering Column
• Electric Trunk Partition
• Integrated Compass
• Power windows with express open/close
• Brake HOLD Feature

Infotainment System

Featuring an Mbrace 7" infotainment system and COMAND online navigation, the SLC 43's system houses a clean and crisp display with clarity even in the sun. Controlled via the rotary knob on the center console, the system is intuitive and gets the job done with ease. But the system needs a revamp as seen on the other Mercedes vehicles.

Cargo volume

With the Ford Mustang equipping the best cargo capacity in the competition, the Mercedes SLC 43 AMG comes second with 10.1 cubic feet, with the Stingray sharing the podium with it. The Silver Arrow's trunk has decent amount of luggage volume for a convertible and the rest of the rivals see a tough competition in this segment.

Model	Mercedes Benz SLC 43 AMG Roadster	BMW M4 Convertible	Jaguar F Type R Dynamic Convertible	Chevrolet Corvette Stingray w/1LT convertible	Ford Mustang Ecoboost Convertible	Porsche 718 S Roadster
Cargo Volume with rear seats up (ft.3)	10.1	7.9	7.3	10.0	13.5	9.7

 

"The Mercedes-Benz SLC gets the sports-car essentials right." -thecarconnection

Having carried over untouched from its 2019 variant, the 2020 Mercedes SLC 43 AMG Roadster is a fine, thin and edgy looking sports convertible. Well-proportioned with straight lines, a long bonnet and short rear overhangs, the hardtop takes 20 seconds to either drop, becoming a coupe or fold to the beauty of a sexy roadster.

The short and wide roadster drives with 18" 10-spoke AMG titanium wheels rolling on all fours, and appears sleek and modern. Its chrome-accented diamond grille alongside the large Silver Arrow insignia, and LED headlamps compose the front fascia; come to the sides and the curves show up their prominence with sporty air-intakes by the fenders. Rear? A nostalgic classic bulbous Mercedes of the last generation.

Model	Mercedes Benz SLC 43 AMG Roadster	BMW M4 Convertible	Jaguar F Type R Dynamic Convertible	Chevrolet Corvette Stingray w/1LT convertible	Porsche 718 S Roadster
Curb weight (lbs.)	3541	4055	3558	3362	2988
Length(in)	163.1	184.5	176.0	176.9	172.4
Width(in)	71.5	73.6	74.2	73.9	70.9
Height(in)	51.3	54.6	51.5	48.9	50.4
Ground clearance (in)	4.1	N/A	4	N/A	4.3
Wheelbase (in)	95.7	110.7	103.2	106.7	97.4
Track width (in) F/R	61/61.7	62.2/63.1	62.4/64.1	63/61.7	59.6/60.6

 

Exterior Features

Some exterior features on the SLC 43 AMG roadster are as follows -

• Retractable Hardtop
• Chrome-tipped diamond-block grille
• Dual Roll Bars
• LED Daytime running lamps and LED taillamps
• Heated side mirrors with power fold-in

With a host of safety features kitted in the SLC 43 AMG by the Silver Arrows, the convertible should keep you protected from disaster if struck. While not being tested by IIHS or NHTSA, it does however come with a rigid structure and as aforementioned features to prevent collisions or reduce its impact. Some of the features include -

• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
• Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
• Adaptive Braking Technology
• Rearview Camera
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• NECK-PRO head restrains
• Dual Roll Bars
• Advanced Tire Pressure Monitor System

Mercedes SLC 43 AMG vs Jaguar F-Type Convertible

The English Feline costs substantially more than the Mercedes SLC 43 AMG Roadster but it also is a more luxurious and similarly powered convertible. With the Jaguar F-Type's exotic and beautiful design, the Mercedes also loses out to the English snob in terms of equipment and overall driving dynamics. However the price difference may put you off and if you don't mind having just a tad less at such a difference, the Silver Arrow should be your choice of poison.

Mercedes SLC 43 AMG Roadster vs Porsche 718 Boxster

The Mercedes does not even come close to the athleticism and opulence of the Porsche. While costing 10k more than the SLC 43 AMG Roadster and fitted with a 4-cylinders, the 718 Boxster still makes sure that price difference is worth it by kitting the Boxster with almost everything a sports convertible should house. The German rivals truly have no comparison and if you can afford a further ten grand, Porsche's racing heritage should appeal more than the Silver Arrow.

The rebadged SLC over the SLK from the previous generation does not really promise anything revamped except for its nomenclature. Both, the relatively ageing exterior design and interior, are better in most competitors out there. While having decent driving dynamics, its performance lacks the punch. In this review, we found there is absolutely limited reasons as to why you should buy an otherwise good SLC 43 AMG Roadster when you have much better rivals out there.