G E A R E D - I N

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.

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