THE second-generation Mercedes-Benz SLK has already proved it’s not to be taken lightly as a serious sports convertible. The chassis is unquestionably more than capable, the interior is comfortable, relatively spacious and well thought out – and it doubles up as a snug, metal-top coupe or an open sports two-seater. With a genuinely useable boot. Add a 5.5-litre V8, set the suspension into a more aggressive mode, muscle up the braking system and you have an SLK with more than a touch of animal in it. Enter the SLK55 AMG – perhaps the most desirable of the entire AMG lineup available in Australia, and finally one of the most accessible ... if you call a two-seat car tagged at more than $160,000 accessible.

SLK32 AMG
Released: September 2001
Ended: July 2004
Family Tree: SLK-classThe first AMG SLK Mercedes-Benz to come here arrived in 2001 and extracted the absolute best from what was already a sound basis for a two-seat sports convertible. The engine might at first sound a little undernourished compared with the latest V8 version, but the supercharged 3.2-litre V6 punched out almost as much power (260kW) and torque (450Nm) as today’s normally aspirated 5.5-litre V8. The 2001 launch price of $154,500 was around $42,000 above the regular SLK320.
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