Members of the Mercedes-Benz coupe family. Image: Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is perhaps best known for building luxury cars, with the occasional emphasis on sport through tuning arm AMG. While cars like its SLS AMG command a space at the upper end of the sport / grand touring coupe market, the three-pointed star has wanted a more affordable, harder-edged coupe to compete with the Porsche 911 for quite some time.
Rumors of such a car have been circulating for years, with the occasional spy shot of what appears to be an SLS in 3/4 scale making the rounds. Now comes word from Britain’s Auto Express that such a car does indeed exist, and will hit the market under the SLC name.
Confirmation comes from Mercedes-Benz design head Gorden Wagener, who spoke with Auto Express at this week’s Beijing Auto Show. Details are lacking, but there are several givens: the car will be priced to compete with the Porsche 911, it will offer a range of engine options (including both a V-6 and a V-8) and it will come to market wearing an AMG badge. As a concession to cost, it will likely use conventional doors instead of the gullwing doors found on the SLS AMG.
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If it sounds like something you’d be interested in, patience is required. While test mules have been spotted, word is the car won’t see production before late 2013 or early 2014, and will likely be launched in Europe before making its way to this side of the pond.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
