A MORE affordable Mercedes-Benz SLK, now rechristened SLC, brings four new turbo engines – but sadly no V8 – and retains the metal folding roof that distinguishes the model from rivals including the Audi TT and Porsche 718 Boxster.

WHAT IS IT? After 20 years and 670,000 SLKs, Mercedes has performed a facelift on its third-generation ‘compact’ sports car and renamed it in line with the recent, somewhat confusing, change in naming policy. Now it’s C rather than K, apparently to emphasis the roadster’s ties to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, though the now five-year-old architecture and electronics trail the more advanced C-Class.

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MAIN RIVALS Audi TT, Porsche Boxster, Nissan 370Z, BMW Z4, Mazda MX-5 RF

THE WHEELS VERDICT The reality is the new SLC is so similar to the SLK that you can see it appealing to the same people as the old car: buyers who want the style and character of a Mercedes-Benz roadster but not a hard-focused sports car.

PLUS: Versatility, lower prices, excellent auto transmission management, performance MINUS: Boring exhaust note unless in Sport + mode, aging interior, torque often overwhelms traction

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Predictably, the V6 delivers more poke more of the time. So much so that on the greasy roads we experienced it’s all too easy to light up the traction control warning light and leave a rubbery trail as evidence of the SLC’s struggle to maintain grip and forward motion, despite featuring a limited slip differential. This is no Boxster. Nor does the V6 sound sporty. There’s no drama at start-up and at idle it is just plain boring. Sport + produces a barking exhaust note, but we’d like a more compelling induction roar and to get rid of the exhaust drone at 1800-1900rpm in the default Comfort and Sport modes.

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AMG replaced the other SLC model’s carry-over front suspension with a three-link design that’s basically from the C-Class, and fitted a linear ratio rack and pinion steering that’s somehow both more remote and heavier than the variable rack of the lesser models. In Sport+ the ride is stiff and the chassis feels out of sorts, as if the 43 is trying to be something that was never intended by its original creators. The SLK wasn’t a pure handling sports car – it wasn’t supposed to be – and neither is the SLC.

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Inside, the SLC’s dash has a new 7.0-inch media display and Nappa covered multifunction thick rimmed steering wheel. It’s all beautifully finished and assembled, but thanks to the ranks of console buttons, now looks dated beside newer designs. Air conditioning, digital radio, sports seats (leather on AMG Line) and a wind deflector are standard on Sport edition upwards. There’s extra connectivity for the in-car “Comand” infotainment and you can operate the SLC’s trademark metal roof on the move at speeds of up to 40km/h… provided you start the opening or closing procedure with the car stationary. Despite the hype, in terms of differing identities, this SLC remains SLK.

SPECS Model: Mercedes-AMG SLC43 Engine: 2996cc, 6cyl, 24v, dohc Max power: 270kW @ 5500-6000rpm Max torque: 520Nm @ 2000-4200rpm Transmission: 9-speed automatic Weight: 1520kg 0-100km/h: 4.7sec Fuel economy: 7.8L/100km (est) Price: $135,000 (est) On sale: September