SLK track car for the road

MERCEDES-BENZ intends to introduce a limited-edition road-going version of a unique track-focused SLK55 AMG it has built for an "Asian investor".

Based on the safety car used in the previous two Formula One racing seasons, the purist-oriented ultra-AMG SLK has firmer spring/damper tuning, harder torque strut bearings at the front axle, a rollcage, an 80-litre racing tank and high-performance brakes including, at the front axle, 360mm composite brake disks with six-piston callipers and racing brake pads.

The car also has a range of lightweight construction items including a carbon-fibre hardtop (saving 25kg), 19-inch AMG forged light alloy wheels, non-insulated AMG sports exhaust, lighter door lines and a fibreglass-reinforcedplastic bucket seat.

Benz claims the kerb weight is "considerably less" than 1500kg.

As well as the modified exhaust, the 265kW/510Nm 5.5-litre V8 benefits from a new cooling system and a racetrack-configured transmission control system with two manual-shifting modes (and steering-mounted gearshift paddles).