Mercedes SLK55 AMG vs. Porsche Boxster S. Tops Off

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In terms of agility and outright pace along this narrow route, the SLK can’t hold a candle to the Boxster. It might have considerably more grunt, but it’s much heavier, with a kerb weight of 1610kg, largely thanks to that heavy hard top folding roof. As such it can’t change direction as quickly and feels more laboured under braking. However, once I stop trying to keep pace with James in the Porsche and drive the Merc at its own pace, it does have a certain mini muscle car charm. Trust in the front and get on the gas, and that power will break traction easily. With that industrial soundtrack barking its approval, it isn’t difficult to have tail-shimmying fun in the AMG.

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Conclusions then. Firstly, these are two very different roadsters. The Porsche is a superb all-rounder, more than capable in all areas and more stylish and desirable than its ancestors. It’s built for handling and although the steering has suffered slightly in the name of the environment, it’s still one of the best driver’s cars available. The Mercedes is too heavy and vague to compete on that level, but look at it as a brutish play thing and it has plenty of appeal. Despite it’s slight profile the new looks make it a more masculine machine, and there’s nothing feminine about that monstrous power plant and it’s fantastic fanfare. Get used to the handling quirks and you’ll be getting lairy with the back end on a regular basis.

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However, if you’re in the market for one of these cars, make sure you look at the price. The AMG, with its power, look-at-me visuals and soundtrack, with all the toys featured in our test car, costs $91,665. The Boxster, with similar levels of specification, costs $77,929. If you want basic versions of each, change those figures to $79,600 and $59,105. The Porsche is considerably cheaper, feels of a far better quality inside and is unquestionably the better sports car overall. The Mercedes-Benz is an entertaining little machine about which there is plenty to recommend, especially in a straight line, but the Boxster really is a legend in the making.

Porsche Boxster S
Engine: Flat six / 3436cc
Power: 311bhp @ 6700rpm
Torque: 265lb-ft @4500-5800rpm
Transmission: Seven speed PDK / rear-wheel drive/ Porsche Torque Vectoring including mechanically locking rear differential
Front suspension: McPherson struts / gas dampers / coil springs / anti-roll bar
Rear suspension: McPherson struts / gas dampers / coil springs / anti-roll bar
Brakes: Ventilated and cross-drilled discs / 330mm (front) / 299m (rear) / ABS / PSM
Wheels: 8 x 19in (front) / 9.5 x 19 (rear)
Tyres: 235/40 ZR19 (front) / 265/40 ZR19 (rear)
Weight (kerb) 1350kg
Power-to-weight: 230bhp/ton
0-100kph: 4.8sec
Top speed: 277kph
Basic price: $59,105 ($77,929 as tested)
Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG
Engine: V8 / 5461cc
Power: 416bhp @ 6800rpm
Torque: 369lb-ft @ 1600-1800rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic / rear-wheel drive
Front suspension: Independent / coil springs / gas dampers
Rear suspension: Multi-link / coil springs / gas dampers
Brakes: Ventilated and cross drilled discs / 361mm (front) / 330mm (rear)
Wheels: 18in front and rear
Tyres: 235/40 R18 (front) / 255/35 R18 (rear)
Weight (kerb) 1610kg
Power-to-weight: 258bhp/ton
0-100kph: 4.6sec
Top speed: 250kph (electronically limited)
Basic price: $79,600 ($91,665 as tested)

Categories: Road

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