Mercedes is readying its line-up of smaller AMGs – the erstwhile ‘AMG-Sport’ models; for India,with the SLC43 AMG expected to be the first model to be launched here. If you aren’t up to date with Mercedes nomenclature, here’s a recap. The SLC is the new model designation for the older SLK, the ‘C’ in the model name denoting its position in the Mercedes model hierarchy and that it is in the C-Class segment of Mercedes convertibles. While the ‘43’ might conjure visions of a 4.3-litre firebreather under the hood, but sadly that’s not the case. Instead the SLC43 AMG comes with a 3.0-litre twin turbo v6 which churns out 362 bhp and propels the SLC to 100 kph from standstill in 4.7 seconds, according to Mercedes. Transferring that power is done with the help of Mercedes’s 9G-Tronic gearbox.

The new SLC gets some significant design changes over the older SLK, with the front face and the tail lamps, along the with interior now mirroring the rest of the Mercedes family look. For the SLC43 AMG, the technicians from Affalterbach have worked on the front suspension to beef up the front axle along with new control-arm guides. The engine and the rear differential also gets AMG-specific mounts. Whilethe AMG handling package is optional, the AMG Sport exhaust, the AMG Drive Select and 18 inch wheels are standard. When it gets launched in India, the SLC43’s closest competitor would be the new Porsche 718 Boxster, although Mercedes might be looking at pricing it in the 80 lakh, significantly undercutting the Boxster.