Clearly, 360bhp in an SLK was never enough. And this brings up an unwritten but patently obvious AMG philosophy; more is never enough. The engineers beefed up the ‘standard' SLK55 AMG's 5.5-litre V8 by modifying the air intake, adding an AMG sports air filter and a full, specially developed AMG sports exhaust system.
These tweaks boosted power from 360bhp to 400bhp, and torque from 376lb ft to 384lb ft, fed through a seven-speed transmission with manual drive controlled by, naturally, steering-wheel mounted aluminium shift paddles. 0-62mph was dealt with in 4.5 seconds (down from 4.9 seconds), 0-125mph was two seconds up on the standard AMG at 15.5 seconds, and the limiter was removed for a 173mph top speed.
AMG fitted height-adjustable torsion suspension optimised for the race-track - including adjustable dampers - together with 19in lightweight forged alloy wheels, a strut brace across the engine bay and 360mm front brakes. A limited slip diff was also offered as an option.
The front wings were even more muscular and made from carbon-fibre reinforced plastic, and AMG also fitted a restyled front apron together with larger air intakes and side air outlets to ensure sufficient cooling for that V8. Toasty. Inside there were two AMG bucket seats (sans airbags), silver AMG logos and a carbon-fibre door panels.
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