Mercedes Benz SLC-Class

While the Mercedes-Benz SLC Roadster shows some signs of evolution by falling in line with its other stablemates when it comes to exterior design, the inter cabin design still feels as if it belongs to a Mercedes car from the past decade. It is rich in fit and finish levels, but the layout itself feels a bit dated and last generation.

The three-spoke multi-functional steering wheel feels nice to look and hold, and so does the twin-pod themed instrument console behind it. However, this setup has started to show its age and lacks the swankiness of the large full TFT instrument console of other Mercedes Benz offerings.

The centre console too looks quite dated with the lack of a modern touchscreen infotainment system with MBUX system, and in its place, there still sits a simple last generation touchscreen audio system with a cluster of buttons for audio and climate control placed below it in rectangular housing. However, the propeller-like AC vents with chrome garnish manage to bring in some excitement to the cabin. 

The cabin is decent enough to fit two people with good ergonomic setup, and the retractable roof opens and closes pretty effectively as well.

While the Mercedes-Benz SLC Roadster doesn’t look big and intimidating as other conventional sportscars. It is the design of the SLC Roadster which makes it look swanky despite its small size.

The low slung and wide stance of the Mercedes-Benz SLC Roadster is quite evident from the front fascia, which is dominated by the presence of a large and wide diamond-cut grille. While the full-LED headlamps are positioned at their prominent places, the front bumper comes with large air dams on both the ends with chrome finished horizontal fins.

The side profile of the Mercedes-Benz SLC Roadster looks quite athletic, thanks to a short wheelbase design accentuated by the two-door profile, large 18-inch alloy wheels, and almost rounded roofline. On the side fenders, there are trapezoidal air outlets with a single chrome finished fin and a ‘Biturbo’ nameplate.

The rear boot lid design of the SLC Roadster is quite familiar and seeks inspiration from the other Mercedes-Benz sedans, with wide and large tail lamps with LED inserts and a bulging upper boot lid design.

Given its sporty image, the Mercedes-Benz SLC Roadster comes blessed with a tauter suspension and steering setup which are slightly stiff to make sure it remains sure-footed, thus making it rich in driving dynamics.

The Mercedes-Benz SLC Roadster is being offered with a choice of two petrol automatic powertrains. The smaller engine in the entry-level SLC 300 variant is a 2.0-litre inline-four petrol engine, which produces 245 PS of maximum power output and 370 Nm of peak torque output. The more powerful SLC 43 AMG comes with a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine, which pumps out 370 PS of power and 520 Nm of torque. Common to both these engines is a nine-speed automatic transmission.

The Mercedes-Benz SLC Roadster, despite being soulfully a last generation offering, still packs in some praiseworthy modern safety amenities like the front, side and curtain airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, attention assist, blind spot assist with exit warning system, hill start assist, electronic stability control, traction control.

The SLC Roadster might not evoke your senses at first as it lacks the novelty factor of current-generation Mercedes Benz offerings. However, for its silhouette and design of a two-door convertible, it scores good marks in road presence to garner, while having great levels of performance and driving dynamics to offer.