The new Mercedes-Benz SLC convertible gets a new look, new name and more power.

• Priced from £30,495 OTR
• New SLC name to replace SLK 20 years after its first launch
• Available in two trim lines: Sport and AMG Line
• Range-topping Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 features new 3.0-litre V6 biturbo engine

The new Mercedes-Benz SLC is now available to order, and will be priced from £30,495 for the entry-level SLC 200 Sport.

The SLC is available with a choice of four engines. The petrol line-up features a 2.0-litre motor which produces 184hp (SLC 200) or 245hp (SLC 300). The SLC 200 is available as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox (150 g/km of CO₂) or the optional 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission (137 g/km), while the SLC 300 comes with the 9G-TRONIC gearbox as standard (138 g/km).

The most fuel-efficient model in the range is the SLC 250 d which comes with a 2.1-litre diesel engine (204 hp), with CO₂ emissions of just 114 g/km.

The SLC is available in two model lines: Sport and AMG Line. Standard equipment includes: re-designed halogen headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights; new sports exhaust system (standard with 9G-TRONIC on SLC 200 and SLC 300); sports pedals; LED tail lights; Active Brake Assist; Attention Assist; Active Bonnet; chrome-plated twin exhaust system; remote boot lid release; and Headlamp Assist.

Sport models come with 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels (18-inch five-twin spoke alloy wheels are optionally available for £995), while AMG Line offers 18-inch AMG multi-spoke alloys.

Inside, a light carbon-grain trim comes as standard on the SLC 200, SLC 300 and SLC 250d, while the SLC 43 is available with dark carbon-grain trim.

SLC is optionally available with LED Intelligent Light System with Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus for £1,150. For the best possible visibility on country roads and motorways, plus when cornering and on bends, the low-beam mode of the LED Intelligent Light System automatically adapts to the weather, lighting and driving conditions. In addition to its striking appearance, the LED Intelligent Light System offers more safety at night thanks to situation-based light distribution, combined with a light colour similar to daylight. The brightness of the brake lights also varies depending on the light conditions – to avoid dazzling other road users.

Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus recognises other road users with their lights on and adjusts the headlamps to the new traffic situation with no input from the driver.

At £765 customers can opt for the Keyless Go package, which now includes an automatic boot separator. If it is in the upright position, the boot separator will automatically lower when the driver lowers the roof – eliminating the need for the driver to manually close the separator.

The new Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 comes with a 3.0-litre V6 biturbo engine and offers performance of 367 hp plus peak torque of 520 Nm: allowing it to sprint from 0 to 62 mph in 4.7 seconds. Its top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. The SLC 43 comes standard with the 9G-TRONIC gearbox, enabling it to offer emissions of just 178 g/km – almost 20 g/km less than the previous SLK 55 AMG. Additionally, the SLC 43 is priced at £46,355, compared to £55,350 for the SLK 55 AMG.

The Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 is available with a host of standard equipment including AMG Performance steering wheel in nappa leather and DINAMICA combined with red contrast stitching; AIRSCARF neck-level heating; PARKTRONIC including parking guidance; LED Intelligent Light System and Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus; analogue clock featuring an IWC design; Garmin^® MAP PILOT with Live Traffic Information; AMG sports suspension; AMG sports exhaust system; AMG Handling Package; and AMG high-performance braking system with red–painted brake calipers.

Engine	Model Line	Transmission	CO2	Road Fund Licence (£)	Rec. OTR price (£)	P11d price (£)	BIK tax rate 2016/17
SLC 200 1,991 cc, 4-cylinder 184hp (135kW)	Sport	6-speed manual	150	£145.00	£30,495.00	£30,295.00	27
		9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic	137	£130.00	£31,980.00	£31,795.00	24
	AMG Line	6-speed manual	150	£145.00	£34,495.00	£34,295.00	27
		9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic	137	£130.00	£35,980.00	£35,795.00	24
SLC 300 1,991 cc, 4-cylinder 245hp (180kW)	AMG Line	9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic	138	£130.00	£39,385.00	£39,200.00	24
SLC 250 d 2,143 cc, 4-cylinder 204hp (150kW)	Sport	9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic	114	£0.00	£32,995.00	£32,940.00	22
	AMG Line	9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic	114	£0.00	£36,995.00	£36,940.00	22
SLC 43 2,987 cc, 6-cylinder 258hp (190kW)	-	9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic	178	£350.00	£46,355.00	£45,950.00	32

Volvo's huge seller, the V40 CC now comes with a four wheel drive system.

• All-Wheel Drive (AWD) rugged all-road capability
• Reduced emissions and improved fuel economy
• Powertrain upgrade completes a series of enhancements

The successful Drive-E powertrain with a 245 hp petrol turbo T5 engine that was made available earlier this year for the V40 is now being introduced for the V40 Cross Country ­­– with the added capability of AWD.

“Volvo Cars is continuing to evolve the V40 Cross Country with this powertrain upgrade. The combination of the Drive-E T5 engine with AWD will give adventurous customers the power to explore, and all the control they need to be confident in all road conditions,” says Dr. Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President Research & Development at Volvo Cars.

With 245 hp and 350 Nm of torque, the V40 Cross Country delivers all the power that drivers have come to expect from a Volvo. Adding to the refinement and fuel-efficient driveability is the 8-speed automatic gearbox with optional paddles on the steering wheel for manual gear shifting. UK customers can place orders from January.

Impressive CO₂ reductions

Since they were introduced last year, Volvo Cars’ ground-breaking four-cylinder Drive-E engines have been widely hailed for their unique ability to combine power and efficiency with a small footprint. Compared to the V40 Cross Country’s previous T5 engine, the new powertrain reduces emissions to an impressive 149 g/km ­– a level unmatched by the Audi Q3 TFSI Quattro (179 g/km), the BMW X1 xDrive20i xLine auto (170 g/km) or the Mercedes-Benz B-class (SUV) 220 Sport 4MATIC DCT (156 g/km).

Refinement

This powertrain upgrade continues the series of enhancements that have been made to the V40 Cross Country this year. Other new additions have been a 19” Damara alloy wheel with grey diamond-cut rims, delivering not only extra comfort and off-road capability, but also less noise and added rim protection; plus a new exterior colour, Power Blue, as well as the updated on-board infotainment and navigation system, Sensus Connect, providing customers with a fully connected car.