D R I V E N

The current roadster renaissance began in the 1990s, when the Mazda MX-5 pried open the floodgates, and soon a deluge of models emerged from manufacturers up and down the price scale.  Mercedes-Benz had an ace up its sleeve with its entry: a metal roof that collapses into the trunk for dual-mode motoring.  It’s a trump card that Mercedes alone still holds in this segment, even as it introduces the second-generation SLK.

The term silver arrows may be overused when it comes to sporting Mercedes-Benzes, but that’s the most succinct way to describe this car’s poised-to-strike stance.  We have not seen a Merc road car that looked so deserving of it since the original 1934 W25 Formula racer.  The SLK long-hood, short-tail profile is retained, with flared haunches hinting of the performance potential.  Wheels and rubber, already upgraded to 17s, properly fill out the wheel wells.

That angry nose with the huge Mercedes Tri-star is thrust menacingly forward, complete with a pair of F1 “wings”.  The hood bulge seen in the McLaren-Mercedes racecars, and subsequently the SLR McLaren, translates well when shrunk to compact proportions.  Roof up or down, the car doesn’t have a bad angle to it.

The heavy doors slam shut with a reassuring thunk, as one settles into the low-mounted seat.  The high door panels and central console make for a snug cabin.  Everything seems shrink wrapped around the driving position, with the windshield, rear view mirror, and rear bulkhead all seemingly inches away.  Headroom is at a premium; six-footers will be scraping the headliner.  Still, there’s adequate room for legs, arms and elbows, with no banging of body parts. 

Cockpit hardware is, appropriately, more adventurous than the typically-sober Benz layout.  Two deep silver binnacles house the tach and speedo, with a small clock and fuel gauge inset within.  A digital screen is tucked between them, to display mileage, temperature and gear selection.

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