X

Mercedes-Benz roadster retains looks, changes name (pictures)

For the 2017 model year, Mercedes-Benz gave its former SLK-Class roadster a new name, SLC, new engines, but merely refreshed its elegant design.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Wayne Cunningham
2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class
1 of 15 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

Formerly called the SLK-Class, Mercedes-Benz introduced its renamed roadster, the SLC-Class, at the Detroit auto show.

2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class
2 of 15 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

Many of the cues of the SLC reflect modern Mercedes-Benz design language, so there was little need for change with this 2017 model year car.

2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class
3 of 15 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

Note the rounded, softened look of the headlight casings and grille, a design carried through on other recent models, such as the E- and C-Class cars.

2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class
4 of 15 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

The twin-blade grille element, supporting the badge, can be found on Mercedes-Benz's recent sport-oriented cars.

2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class
5 of 15 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

Mercedes-Benz offers the new roadster as the SLC300 or SLC43, the latter a more powerful AMG variant.

2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class
6 of 15 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

Mercedes-Benz continues to offer a panoramic glass roof option for the SLC's folding hard top, which features Magic Sky Control, a technology letting you adjust the roof's opacity at the touch of a button.

2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class
7 of 15 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

The trunk gains an automatic cargo separator, letting you know how much space you have to work with if you want to put the top down.

2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class
8 of 15 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

A sport exhaust system lets you increase engine noise in the cockpit for performance thrills.

2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class
9 of 15 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

Dashboard vents show Mercedes-Benz's recent circular, bladed design.

2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class
10 of 15 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

Mercedes-Benz's Air Scarf feature helps keep you warm with the top down by blowing hot air out from around the headrests.

2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class
11 of 15 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

If you want to upgrade the sound, Mercedes-Benz offers a 10-speaker Harman-Kardon stereo.

2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class
12 of 15 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

Drivers can use the Dynamic Select feature to instantly switch between Comfort, Sport, Sport plus, Eco and Individual modes, each affecting the car's performance parameters.

2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class
13 of 15 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

The tiny drive selector and Comand dashboard electronics controller share space on the console.

2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class
14 of 15 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

Mercedes-Benz updated the steering wheel for the SLC model, making it available with a combination of Nappa leather and microfiber.

2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class
15 of 15 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

A small, 7-inch LCD display shows navigation, audio and hands-free phone controls.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos