At the forefront of Mercedes-Benz’s design revolution in the late 1990’s was the SLK, a roadster that has the ability to become a coupe in a matter of seconds thanks to a clever folding roof system. Since its introduction, it has never lost its appeal: it has found its way to 308,000 owners despite a waiting list that stretched for a year. Now, even before the SLK was ready to sing its swansong, Mercedes-Benz is unleashing a new, much-improved SLK destined for even more success.
From the outside, designers at Sindelfingen, where the new SLK is built, saluted Mercedes-Benz racing cars of the past by combining some key design elements to the first-generation roadster’s overall proportions. The results are captivating to say the least with the SLK’s trademark long bonnet, flat windscreen, wide doors and short rear accentuated further with the arrow-shaped nose, wing profiles in the radiator grille and the twin-tailpipe system.
Inside, careful attention to detail was done to recapture the original model’s fashionable interior with improved materials and ergonomics. The new SLK’s cockpit is striking with its silver-colored switchgear and dark toned dashboard.
Like any Mercedes-Benz roadster, appointments are to say the least, opulent. THERMATIC automatic climate control, leather seats and a high-fidelity audio system are standard. For the discerning, the SLK may be ordered with a more intelligent climate system dubbed THERMOTRONIC, a DVD/CD combo system complete with a GPS navigation system and a 380-watt, 11-speaker audio system.
To answer the discerning car enthusiast, engineers have reworked the SLK’s powertrain and chassis. At the center of the development work is the choice of highly capable engines with power ranging from 163 bhp to 360 bhp—the latter courtesy of a 5.5-liter V8. However, Mercedes-Benz expects that the 272 bhp, V6-engined SLK350 would be the main seller.
he SLK350’s V6 engine is a new unit with 25 percent more power and 13 percent extra torque compared to the SLK320. The four-valve unit is deemed as one of the most powerful V6 engines in its class. Emphasizing the new SLK’s sporty characteristics, it comes standard with a short-throw six-speed manual. However, the seven-speed automatic dubbed, 7G-TRONIC alleviates the need for a clutch and can catapult the SLK350 to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds (the manual does it in 5.6).
The slightly longer and wider new SLK sits on a lengthened wheelbase. Coupled with a newly-developed three-link front suspension, rack-and-pinion steering and larger tire size choices means that the SLK is one roadster that will give a lot of open air fun to hardcore enthusiast and luxury pursier alike.
In the unlikely event of an accident, the SLK features a high-strength steel alloy body and an array of air bags. Robust roll-over protection is provided by stiffened pillars and solid roll-over bars behind the seat.
It would be impossible to talk about the SLK without mentioning the folding metal roof system. Called vario-roof, it transforms the SLK from roadster to coupe in just 22 seconds. Engineers have reduced the amount of boot space the roof eats when the top is down (up 63 liters) while improving high-speed stability with a lower co-efficient of drag. In addition, it is now possible to operate the vario-roof via remote from the SLK’s car key.
Mercedes-Benz has also taken the SLK’s four-season open-top touring ability with the introduction of AIRSCARF. This unique feature enables the SLK to generate warm air from vents located in the seat backrests. At the touch of a button, heated air is directed out of special vents and acts like an invisible scarf to warm up the head and neck of passengers even during the deadliest Nordic snow storm.
The previous SLK is one of the most sought after cars with a high retained value over three years. With the amount of improvements done on the second generation model, the Mercedes-Benz SLK-class will continue on as the company’s symbol of dynamism and an avant-garde way of thinking.
By Ulysses Ang | Photos Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz AG
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