New Mercedes SLK 55 AMG (2012) blasts in

The new Mercedes SLK 55 AMG arrives ahead of Frankfurt

Just last week we had the first diesel SLK arrive, promising a new era of fun and frugal Mercedes roadster goodness – but with an oil-burner. But now we’ve got the ‘Daddy’ SLK, the new 2012 Mercedes SLK 55 AMG, revealed ahead of its debut at Frankfurt next month.

Really, however much we may admire the SLK diesel – and think it a damn fine road for Mercedes to go in our eco-obsessed world – it’s the new SLK 55 that incites real lust.

With its naturally aspirated 5.5 litre V8 (lots of delicious linearity) delivering 414bhp – and 398lb/ft of torque – the new SLK 55 gets to 62mph in a brisk 4.6 seconds. And this is the new 5.5 litre V8 we’ve seen in the E 63 AMG and CLS 63 AMG, without the turbos and with a few tweaks,.

The SLK’s AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic comes equipped with three modes – Sport, Manual and ‘Controlled Efficiency’ – and the SLK gets Direct-Steer, which improves handling and agility.

Suspension on the SLK 55 has been tweaked and fettled by AMG, and if you want something a little harder edged you can opt for the AMG handling pack, which will make your nice new SLK stiffer but will also chuck in a diff lock, two-piece brakes up-front and a pretty AMG steering wheel with Alcantara grips.

Cosmetically the 2012 SLK 55 gets the butched-up treatment. The front apron gets big air inlets to help the 5.5 litre V8 (a V8 Mercedes calls ‘The world’s most fuel-efficient V8′ thanks to stuff like stop-start and cylinder shut-off) breathe that bit better, and the grill grows to make the SLK look a bit more like the SLS.

There’s a new set of daytime LEDs (just so you can tell the SLK 55 from the lesser SLKs) and some new lightweight alloys. The light lenses front and back get darkened – all the better to add touch of ‘Mean’ to the SLK – and the twin tailpipes of the new AMG Sports Exhaust get chromed.

Inside, the 2012 SLK 55 pays homage to the SLS (and why not?) with its air-vents and centre console clad in brushed ali, and you can opt to have an AMG-specific analogue watch featuring an IWC design bolted in to the centre of the dash too.

Seats are AMG jobs covered in Artico with AMG badges. But if you don’t want Mercedes’ faux leather you can pay more and have Nappa. Sadly, considering it’s so good and this is the SLK flagship, you’ll need to cough up more money to add the AirScarf to your SLK55.

The roof on the SLK 55 comes down, but it’s just the bog-standard roof. If you want the posh MAGIC SKY CONTROL panoramic roof with its clever auto-tinting you’ll have to dig deep once more. But you will get the new AirGuide system to stop buffeting with the roof down which can be individually adjusted for passenger or driver.

Apart from the stuff you could reasonably expect the range-topping SLK 55 AMG to get as standard, there’s also a plethora of AMG extras you can bolt on. But if your brain hurts and you can’t decide which boxes to tick, you can opt for the SLK 55 AMG ‘Edition 1′.

If you do go the SLK 55 AMG ‘Edition 1′ route you’ll get a choice of three Designo paint jobs - designo magno cashmere white, diamond white bright metallic and obsidian black metallic – and new multi-spoke matt black  AMG light-alloy with a high-gloss finish on the rim flange.

Inside the Edition 1 has  two-tone Designo Exclusive leather in platinum white pearl, AMG carbon-fibre trim, the steering wheel from the AMG Handling Pack (do you get a discount if you opt for the Handling Pack and Edition 1? Probably not) and white illuminated AMG door sills.

You’ll also get  platinum white contrasting stitching for the upper part of the dash, door beltlines, the AMG Performance steering wheel and the gear lever gaiter.

The new 2012 Mercedes SLK 55 AMG looks the complete package. We may have gripes about the lack of headline toys on what is the top-end model, but the package and performance are hugely appealing.

The new SLK 55 AMG will go on sale in the UK early in 2012.

(34 photos – click any thumbnail for full gallery)

By Cars UK