Mercedes SLC 180 arrives as SLC trim levels cut to just AMG Line and prices drop £500

The Mercedes SLC 180 AMG Line arrives as a new entry-level SLC, as Mercedes limit trim options to just AMG Line and drop prices by £500.

The Mercedes SLC is Mercedes’ entry-level sports car, although there are gathering rumours that it may be dropped when the current model has run its course.

Arriving just over a year ago, the SLC is what was the SLK and came with a choice of Sport and AMG Line trims and everything from  the SLC 200 with its 181bhp petrol four-pot up to the SLC 43 AMG with the new 3.0 litre V6 Biturbo sporting 362bhp. And now there’s a new entry-level model.

The new Mercedes SLC 180 costs from £32,039 and comes with a 1.6 litre petrol engine with 154bhp and 184lb/ft of torque, enough to get to 62mph in 7.9 seconds and return official economy of 48.7mpg, and a six-speed manual. The 9G-Tronic auto costs an extra £1,600.

The SLC 180 comes with 18″ alloys, Artico seats, Active Brake Assist, Cruise, Air Con and sports suspension, although you can spec it up and spend more by ticking lots of tempting boxes.

As well as launching the SLC 180, Mercedes has dropped the Sport trim level for the SLC and reduced the price of the AMG Line across the board by £500.

The new Mercedes SLC 180 is now on sale at Mercedes’ UK dealers, with first customer cars due in the summer.