Mercedes Is Gunning For The MX-5 RF With A New Entry-Level SLC

Mercedes is launching a new, cheaper entry-level SLC roadster that the company claims will be cheaper to own than a Mazda MX-5 RF...

Matt Kimberley

03 May 2017

Mercedes Is Gunning For The MX-5 RF With A New Entry-Level SLC

Mercedes is about to release an SLC that will be cheaper to put on your drive than the Mazda MX-5 RF – in monthly payments, at least.

The company is planning a four-cylinder SLC 180 that will offer cheaper finance than that of the hard-top Mazda, with ballpark performance, too. Longer gearing means fewer gear changes on the way to the benchmark sprint time.

It’s six tenths slower to 62mph than the RF, but it’s a whisker better on fuel, claiming to return 1.6mpg more. For CO2 it’s worlds better, with 134g/km versus the MX-5’s 161g/km, but both will cost the same to tax after the first year.

The SLC is a hell of a lot heavier than the RF, though, leading us to suspect that the performance and economy figures might not be telling the whole story. Although the SLC 180 will be the lightest version in the range, at 1435kg, the heaviest RF is almost 400kg lighter than that.

Despite being over £8600 more expensive than the cheapest RF, though, the SLC 180 will have much better residual values, says Mercedes. That means the buyer is paying for less depreciation and has lower monthly payments.

Which one would you have? The lightweight, short-geared but small MX-5 RF or the larger, more spacious SLC 180 with lower payments but a sacrifice in driving fun?

Via: Autocar

Comments

I don’t think people you are interested in an MX5 would look at a 1450Kkg GT from Mercedes. Just because it’s a convertible and has two seats doesn’t make it a competitor to the MX5

I wish the car manufacturers would spend a few minutes reading the posts on websites like this. Comments by divers. I have a 2014 Audi S4 (with that awful dual clutch auto gearbox) sitting in my garage. My daily driver? A 2007 Miata. Why. Because it’s so much damned fun!!! I’d like to replace the Audi with a AWD manual gear box car (I live in PA) but no one makes anything worth driving, except maybe Porsche but they’re totally bloated now and stupid money. F MB and this POS poser car. That company lost their real driver base long ago. Lord help us if we’re ever abandoned by Mazda.

That would cost them money though, to hire someone to actually research what customers / drivers are talking about / want.
Manufacturers seem driven by regulations, especially emissions, in the countries they operate in. Hence the increase in turbo charged 4 pots / EVs / hybrids from said manufacturers. Whilst it might bring them more customers, and appease regulators, it tarnishes their reputation. Take the Cayman for example, curb weight for a 981 was 1420kg (pdk) the latest gen 718 is 1655kg. And they dropped the flat six for a 4 pot. Stonking.

I appreciate your point, being a fellow petrolhead I can only agree but I know plenty people who will disagree. People who do not have money for an SL, people who do not need a very sporty car, but one that looks sporty, has a plush interior and takes them places in style and comfort (just like the ads say) Look at Porsche as an example. The 911 is not the car that brings them money, Cayennes, Caymans, Boxsters and those mastodon Panameras are the money generator fueling production of the 911. Same with MB. This is their entry level stylish convertible car, appealing to many young people, old people, and (especially)women, without being overly expensive. I for one like the fact that there is another offering to choose from (even if not for me), that is not just another carbon copy of the same car just to get a slice of the juicy money pie.

Too many Benz drivers forget that the vey brand they covet are taxis and cop cars in Europe!

I’ll take a Miata/MX-5 any day. I’m currently driving my second almost continuously for the last 13 years. Replaces the Fiat 124 Spider I had from new in the 70’s for 7 years, but with far better drivability and less leaks from the top!

My girlfriend bought a first gen SLK 2 years ago which was abused and neglected long and hard. I must say MX-5s can’t compare to the this car quality and creature comfort wise. Driven some Miatas too. They are wonderful sport cars, huge fun and put ear to ear grins on your face but there is simply no comparison. One is a light touring convertible with a stylish and comfy interrior, the other a lightweight , barebones sport convertible. Both are great vehicles in their own way, to be enjoyed by different kinds of people. I would not recommend an SLK for amateur motorsport events and I would not recommend the MX-5 for a cross continent roadtrip (which we did with the SLK and the 2.0 motor feels like double the power compared to a 1.8 MX-5 when doing open roads).

Since when is Mercedes competing with Mazda? From a marketing perspective they’re making a huge mistake here. There’s nothing wrong with Mazda but since they’re operating within a lower-level segment, Mercedes can only gain in that segment by lowering their brand’s standards, which won’t really be a gain will it…