Last year, Mercedes-Benz's smallest model received a styling refresh to go with a new name: SLC-Class, which replaced the SLK badging this little roadster had worn from its introduction in the late 1990s.
For 2018, the SLC-Class gains some new standard equipment, and sees some revisions to its options list.
Among the new stuff included in the SLC 300 is AMG styling, 18-inch wheels (replacing 17s), sport brakes, silver steering wheel-mounted shift paddles, backup camera, velour floor mats and logo-projecting side mirrors. The SLC loses a few things too, including the sensor-based Thermotronic climate control system, replaced with a less-sophisticated Thermatic setup; other deleted items are ambient lighting and an integrated garage door opener. All three of those features are now available as options.
The performance-biased AMG SLC 43 model also gets some new standard features, including sport suspension, backup camera, logo-projecting mirrors, black seatbelts (in place of last year's red ones) and a new 18-inch wheel design. Again, the red seatbelts remain as an option.
Other changes include a new name for Benz's radar cruise control system, now known as active distance assist Distronic.
Unchanged are the SLC's basic specs. The SLC 300 uses a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 241 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, while the SLC 43 gets a turbo 3.0L V6 cranking out 362 hp and 384 lb-ft. A nine-speed automatic comes standard with both engines.
The SLC is a good-looking car, proudly displaying the three-pointed star logo on its bold grille. Through two decades on the market, Mercedes has stuck with the car's folding hardtop roof, a more complicated design that takes up more space when stowed, but that also lends the car a sleek coupe-like look when in place and includes a sunroof function.
Which cars you consider as competitors depends on which trim you're looking at. The obvious one was BMW's Z4, but it disappeared after 2016, leaving cars like the Audi TT and Jaguar F-Type as the ones to cross-shop. The AMG SLC 43 opens up new doors to the likes of the Porsche 718 Boxster S, and the varied and more potent variants of the TT and F-Type.
Standard features in the SLC 300 include 18-inch wheels, halogen headlights with LED daytime running lights and taillights, Nappa leather steering wheel, heated Artico-upholstered seats with power adjustment and four-way lumbar, automatic climate control, backup camera, attention assist, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, blind spot assist and active brake assist.
A premium package adds niceties like smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), active LED headlights with automatic high beams, push-button start, garage door opener and ambient lighting.
The SLC 43's standard feature list includes active LED headlights with automatic high beams, heated seats upholstered in Nappa leather and Dinamica, garage door opener and ambient lighting.
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