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
Buy neither. Purchase NA MX5. Turbo it. Save £19K over the RF. and £27 over the SLC. Purchase Race car or Drift car with the remainder. Much sideways, many smiles, because racecar happy days.
So, the i4 f type is a enthusiasts car but the i4 SL is a poser car? Hmmm
OR just by a used one for the same or even less money.
Proof that auto makers do not build cars to sell to people anymore, they build them to sell to banks. This is why cars are becoming more expensive than buying a house in some areas.
Shut up and take my upvote! You just dropped a truth N-U-K-E! Do you have a good mic? I would love for you to be on my first Sharpe Speed podcast.
So Mercedes is claiming the Mazda MX-5 will depreciate faster than the Mercedes-Benz?
400kg heavier? No thanks. I see the MX5 stomping this Benz. Luxury car and the words lightweight do not mix.
I just drove the new MX5 RF from Orlando to Chicago. It was the funnest ride ever. Instead of stopping in Nashvilee I just kept driving. The car performs better than many BMW and Porche that cost thousands more. This is my first Japanese sports car and it turns heads where ever I go. The other day a cop stopped me in a grocery parking lot. Thought I did something against the law. He just wanted to know if was the new Miata and said he really liked it. I’m not even interested in the Mercedes, which brand I have owned before. After I wear this Miata out I’ll buy another one!
I think I would take an MX-5. Personally, I value driving fun and handling (sounds like whatever future car I’ll get would be very uncomfortable…). Besides, when I tell people I drive a Merc, they probably were expecting a C63 or something anyways…
Wow, will it have a trunk? I love it and it’s a Mercedes -Benz.
This will be good to see. Lol.
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