MERCEDES-BENZ

PARADIGM SHIFTER The SLK350 Could Well Change The Way You View Sporty Mercedes Models. Andy Enright Reports

Admit it. You didn’t take it very seriously when you heard that Mercedes’ latest SLK was going to be a genuine challenger to the likes of the Porsche Boxster and the BMW Z4. Evolution’s all well and good, but the giant leap forward required to take on sporting roadsters of this calibre was surely too much for the SLK - a car which had garnered a reputation as pretty, amiable but rather limited. Think again. The car to redefine your scrambled points of reference is the Mercedes SLK350.

No, seriously. The SLK350 is a car that makes the Z4 feel contrived and does enough to keep the Boxster on its toes. It walks a very fine line between outright sportiness and refinement whilst at the same time offering enough styling gems to mull over without descending into visual gimmickry. It also has a lot of engine. These days ‘350’ doesn’t register all that far up Mercedes’ ladder of ever more ridiculously powerful engines but pause for a moment and consider what, in this case, it means. It hefts 272bhp of poke, in excess of BMW’s 261bhp Z4 3.0si or Porsche’s 241bhp Boxster. Only the hopped up 291bhp Boxster S pips it. Although the SLK weighs a good deal more than either the Boxster or the Z4 3.0si, its power advantage is so convincing that the all-important power to weight ratio figure is skewed decisively in its advantage. This means that if you’re in either the Porsche or the BMW, you’ll be treated to a receding view of the SLK’s pert rear end in a straight-line drag. Even when fitted with the new ‘7-GTRONIC’ automatic gearbox, it’ll still stop the watch at 5.5 seconds for the sprint. With variable camshaft control on both intake and exhaust sides of the engine – a first for Mercedes – this engine offers a lot of grunt for its relatively modest size. Despite this, it’ll still average 28.7mpg – a full five per cent more fuel efficient than its SLK320 predecessor.

"The SLK350 is a car that makes the Boxster feel old and the Z4 feel contrived"

Whereas powerful versions of the old car such as the SLK32 AMG were effortleslly quick in a straight line, this is only one part of a car’s dynamic make up. When it came to tacling a bumpy, rutted road, the SLK wasn’t too happy. The latest model is a whole lot better in this regard and driving in convoy with a Porsche Boxster is an education. The SLK350 absorbs so much more of the sort of bump that requires corrective action in the Porsche that although there isn’t quite the same feeling of tactility you get with a Boxster, you’ll cover ground at the same pace. What’s more, in complete contrast to its predecessor, the harder you push this generation SLK, the better it gets. The steering is very direct at just 2.75 turns lock to lock and the variable assistance is one of the best systems around, the amount of assistance dropping off smoothly and imperceptibly the quicker you go. There’s none of the inconsistency of feel that afflicts cars like the Honda S2000. The gearchange is also the first manual shift in recent Mercedes history that it’s possible to work up an enthusiasm for. The basic shape of the SLK has been left unchanged, the characteristic short boot and long bonnet creating a more aesthetically pleasing profile than most of the other hard top convertibles, many of which have rather odd proportions. It’s a bigger car than before, the body being 72mm longer and 65mm wider, which means more space inside for beefier occupants. The roof mechanism has been widely copied and now no longer amazes bystanders but folds neatly into the boot in 22 seconds. The swivelling rear window means that with the roof folded there’s now a good deal more space available in the boot – a notable issue with the old car. The SLK is a car that’s associated with engineering novelty, however, and Mercedes don’t disappoint this time around. The AIRSCARF neck-level heating system delivers a warm flow of air from the headrests, enabling SLK owners to drop the roof without experiencing the chill fingers of the typical British climate. This system monitors road speed and temperature and adapts the fan speed Accordingly to ensure a toasty ‘scarf’ of hot air. Safety provision has been well and truly revisited too, the latest SLK featuring a 40 per cent increase in the use of high tensile steel alloys. For the first time in an SLK, Mercedes is using adaptive airbags which deploy in two stages According to the severity of the accident. Twin stage seat belt load limiters also feature and recently developed head/thorax airbags respond to side impacts. A sensor triggers the side airbags and both belt tensioners during a vehicle rollover, with solid roll-over bars behind the seats also helping to prevent injury in the unlikely event of such an accident. The styling is a good deal more aggressive in its detailing than the cute first generation car. The distinctive arrow-like tapering of the front bonnet is reminiscent of both the McLaren Formula One racer and the Mercedes SLR McLaren supercar. Twin exhausts, a deep front spoiler and purposefully blistered wheel arches give the SLK a welcome dose of attitude. The Mercedes SLK350 is a vehicle that causes a reassessment of the current state of the roadster art. We all knew there was a day coming when the Porsche Boxster would be deposed and that day may well have come. For the 100 per cent purist, the Porsche will still be top of the pile, but for most of the people most of the time, the SLK350 beats it hands down. You’ve no idea how difficult it is to write that. Here’s a car that demands to be taken extremely seriously.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Mercedes-Benz SLK350 PRICE: £35,430 – on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 18 CO2 EMISSIONS: 255g/km PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 155mph / 0-60mph 5.4s FUEL CONSUMPTION: (average) 28.7mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags / ABS / ESP WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 160/70/52"

SMALL WONDER Although The Price Tag May Seem Rather Steep For What Is Essentially A 1.8-Litre Roadster, The SLK200K Is Shot Through With Traditional Mercedes Quality. Andy Enright Reports

When attending a manufacturer press launch, there’s often an informal order to things. If they have a couple of sporting models on offer, they prefer you to try the less powerful model first, as if the cars are sampled in the reverse order, the car with less under the bonnet invariably winds up as something of a disappointment. Therefore it came as something of a refreshing change when Mercedes insisted I drive the grunty SLK350 over the short route on day one of the launch and save the longer route for the SLK200K. Quite what they were up to certainly piqued my interest.

I hadn’t looked forward to the SLK200K. I thought I knew what this car was all about. It was for those who couldn’t really afford a ‘proper’ current shape SLK and were instead more interested in posing than driving. That may well be the case, as thousands of buyers who have chosen to badge-delete their base-spec German cars have proved down the years. Thing is, these dilettantes will have lucked into getting their hands on one of the best driver’s cars Mercedes have built for years. With a lightweight supercharged 1.8-litre engine developing 163bhp, the SLK200K feels a tad more nimble on its feet than the SLK350 and dances through corners with genuine relish. The shock realisation that here is a car that offers Porsche Boxster-like feedback is dulled to a certain extent by the even more astonishing revelation that this is a Mercedes with a decent manual gearbox. This deserves greater investigation. In the past, you either forked out for an automatic box with your Benz or you made do with a manual shift that was truculent, clunky and just downright unpleasant to use. The latest six-speeder as fitted to the SLK200K utilises a single-rod gearshift system, which allows drivers to make rapid gear changes, whilst at the same time offering an improved feel thanks to the use of damping elements. In contrast to the manual gearshift system in the outgoing SLK, in which the vertical and horizontal movements of the gearshift lever were transferred to the transmission separately, a single gearshift shift rod now communicates both movements at the same time. This means an end to the indirect routes of the previous system and the driver will certainly appreciate the benefits.

"The Mercedes SLK200K is a car that has a lot of expectation resting on it and exceeds it by a quite massive margin"

Although 163bhp doesn’t sound a whole hill of beans when a decent hot hatch can stump up around 200bhp, the SLK200K feels acceptably rapid. It will notch off the sprint to 60mph in 7.7 seconds en route to a terminal velocity in excess of 140mph. Mercedes use a combination of a belt-driven supercharger and Lanchester dynamic balancer in this ‘TWINPULSE’ engine and it offers a decent compromise between performance, economy and refinement. Two forged, multi-bearing shafts located underneath the crank assembly counter-rotate at double the speed of the crankshaft. This allows them to balance out the inertia forces inherent in this type of engine, which are brought about – among other things – by the movement of the pistons and can cause obtrusive vibrations. Aside from the gearbox issue, the SLK lays another Merc myth to rest. Received wisdom has it that Mercedes cabin quality has, to put it mildly, slipped in recent years. Many finger the M Class as the car that set this trend in motion but the SLK offers a supremely well screwed together cabin with top notch materials quality. Options such as AIRSCARF, a ventilation system that fires a welcome blast of warm air at the back of your neck, and a wide Range of integrated electronic functions such as COMAND, satellite navigation and mobile phone kits make life a whole lot more convenient. The basic shape of the SLK has been left unchanged, the characteristic short boot and long bonnet creating a more aesthetically pleasing profile than most of the other hard top convertibles, many of which have rather odd proportions. It’s a bigger car than before, the body being 72mm longer and 65mm wider, which means more space inside for beefier occupants. The roof mechanism has been widely copied and now no longer amazes bystanders but folds neatly into the boot in 22 seconds. The swivelling rear window means that with the roof folded there’s now a good deal more space available in the boot – a notable issue with the old car. Safety provision has been well and truly revisited too, the latest SLK featuring a 40 per cent increase in the use of high tensile steel alloys. For the first time in an SLK, Mercedes is using adaptive airbags which deploy in two stages According to the severity of the accident. Twin stage seat belt load limiters also feature and recently developed head/thorax airbags respond to side impacts. A sensor triggers the side airbags and both belt tensioners during a vehicle rollover, with solid roll-over bars behind the seats also helping to prevent injury in the unlikely event of such an accident. The styling is a good deal more aggressive in its detailing than the cute first generation car. The distinctive arrow-like tapering of the front bonnet is reminiscent of both the McLaren Formula One racer and the Mercedes SLR McLaren supercar. Twin exhausts, a deep front spoiler and purposefully blistered wheel arches give the SLK a welcome dose of attitude. Mercedes have achieved a number of improbables with the latest SLK. Not only have they turned it from a bejewelled posemobile into a proper driver’s car but they’ve also managed – for the time being at least – to make the least expensive car in the line up the most satisfying drive. The Mercedes SLK 200K is a car that has a lot of expectation resting on it and exceeds it by a quite massive margin.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Mercedes-Benz SLK 200K PRICE: £28,525 – on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 16 CO2 EMISSIONS: 209g/km PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 140mph / 0-60mph 7.7s FUEL CONSUMPTION: (average) 32.8mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags / ABS / ESP WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 160/70/52"

PUNCHING ABOVE ITS WEIGHT The SLK280 Stakes Out Its Territory In The Serious Sports Car Sector. Andy Enright Reports

I’ll be the first to admit that I found the Mercedes SLK to be a shocking car. Shocking insofar as in its second generation guise, this car had morphed into a genuine sporty rival to the Porsche Boxster ad the BMW Z4. Whereas the old car was dynamically compromised, this latest model did the business. At launch, the only fly in the ointment – other than the hefty asking price – was the huge gulf between the entry-level SLK200K model and the talented SLK350. The SLK280 model we look at here firmly bridges that gap.

The trouble with these ‘filler’ models is that they can be like those filler tracks you find on albums. They seem promising when you’re about to buy but can often prove a huge disappointment. Mercedes have worked to make the SLK280 anything but. Powered by a 231bhp V6 engine, it’s got plenty of poke to fall back on. In fact, it’s the same amount of grunt as the top of the Range BMW Z4 3.0-litre and only a few ponies shy of what Porsche’s Boxster can generate. Anyway, any suspicions that this was a makeweight soon dissolved when the performance figures were published. The SLK280 will accelerate to 60mph in 6.1 seconds and hit an electronically limited top speed of 155mph, making it quicker than the 280bhp Nissan 350Z Roadster and able to dice on even terms with a Boxster. With a price tag of £31,475, it also significantly undercuts the Porsche. While you recover from this ‘Mercedes is cheaper’ moment, it’s worth taking a look to see exactly what the SLK280 is offering. In terms of specification, it matches the SLK200K, so the additional £2,930 is being spent on what is effectively an engine upgrade Plus a set of 16-inch five-spoke alloy wheels to which many owners will doubtless feel tempted to upgrade. Nevertheless, the SLK280 still feels like the value pick of the line up. Thos e wishing to blow a little more on their car should certainly consider the option of Mercedes’ excellent 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission.

"The SLK280 is no mid-Range makeweight"

For the first time in a V6 engine, both intake and exhaust camshafts are variable to optimise power and torque while contributing to fuel economy. Further adjustments are possible within the variable length inlet – a number of flaps open, or close, According to engine speed and load to adjust the tract length. This adjustability enables the engine management system to achieve the best possible output for a given driving situation. Fully Euro IV-compliant, this engine also sees service in C-Class and E-Class saloons and estates. It’s also remarkably fuel efficient for a sporty 3.0-litre powerplant, delivering a combined economy figure that nudges 30mpg. It’s worth reflecting quite how far the SLK has developed to properly appreciate this SLK280 version. Whereas powerful versions of the first generation model (such as the SLK32 AMG) were effortlesly quick in a straight line, this is only one part of a car’s dynamic make up. When it came to tacling a bumpy, rutted road, that SLK wasn’t too happy. The latest model is a whole lot better in this regard and driving in convoy with a Porsche Boxster is an education. The SLK absorbs so much more of the sort of bump that requires corrective action in the Porsche that although there isn’t quite the same feeling of tactility you get with a Boxster, you’ll cover ground at the same pace. What’s more, in complete contrast to its predecessor, the harder you push this generation SLK, the better it gets. The steering is very direct at just 2.75 turns lock to lock and the variable assistance is one of the best systems around, the amount of assistance dropping off smoothly and imperceptibly the quicker you go. There’s none of the inconsistency of feel that afflicts cars like the Honda S2000. The six-speed manual gearchange is also the first manual shift in recent Mercedes history that it’s possible to work up an enthusiasm for. The basic shape of the SLK has been left unchanged in second generation guise, the characteristic short boot and long bonnet creating a more aesthetically pleasing profile than most of the other hard top convertibles, many of which have rather odd proportions. It’s a bigger car than before, the body being 72mm longer and 65mm wider, which means more space inside for beefier occupants. The roof mechanism has been widely copied and now no longer amazes bystanders but folds neatly into the boot in 22 seconds. The swivelling rear window means that with the roof folded, there’s now a good deal more space available in the boot – a notable issue with the old car. The SLK is a model that’s associated with engineering novelty, however, and Mercedes don’t disappoint this time around. The optional AIRSCARF neck-level heating system delivers a warm flow of air from the headrests, enabling SLK owners to drop the roof without experiencing the chill fingers of the typical British climate. This system monitors road speed and temperature and adapts the fan speed Accordingly to ensure a toasty ‘scarf’ of hot air. Safety provision has been well and truly revisited too, the latest SLK featuring a 40 per cent increase in the use of high tensile steel alloys. For the first time in an SLK, Mercedes is using adaptive airbags which deploy in two stages According to the severity of the accident. Twin stage seat belt load limiters also feature and recently developed head/thorax airbags respond to side impacts. A sensor triggers the side airbags and both belt tensioners during a vehicle rollover, with solid roll-over bars behind the seats also helping to prevent injury in the unlikely event of such an accident. The Mercedes SLK280 is an extremely convincing proposition. Fast, assured, safe and even relatively good value for money, it’s tough to nail any significant faults. That folding hard top gives it an advantage over its immediate rivals and the quality of fit and finish inside is once again a credit to Mercedes. Driven absolutely flat out, it loses a little to the Porsche and BMW but for most of the people most of the time, the Mercedes is simply the better car.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Mercedes-Benz SLK280 V6 PRICE: £31,475 – on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 17 CO2 EMISSIONS: 231g/km PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 155mph / 0-60mph 6.1s FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 20.5 (extra urban) 39.2 (combined) 29.1mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags / ABS / ESP WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 160/70/52"

SPECIAL K Mercedes’ SLK Was Phenomenally Successful First Time Round. The Second Generation Looks Like Reprising That Success Story. Andy Enright Reports

It’s hard to believe that the Mercedes SLK has been with us since 1996. Nearly eight years after launch it still looked pert and perky with orders still healthy and residual values remaining firm. Despite this, it had been overtaken in the desirability stakes by a good few rivals and no longer even figuring on the podium is a position in which Mercedes Benz have never relished residing. So it is that the second generation SLK has landed; meaner, leaner and more focused than its predecessor. Things have got very serious indeed.

Part of the problem with the old SLK is that it was never really a sports car. Even the fire- breathing 349bhp SLK32 AMG version felt as if it had far too much engine for the reluctant chassis to handle, and most SLK models sold were far more benign, often driven by women of a certain age who would occasionally drop the roof to generate an excuse to revisit their stylist. The latest version aims to ditch that image whilst at the same time offering better safety and convenience, more space and a more appealing Range of engines. All four engines that appear in the initial line up are new to the SLK. First up, priced from £28,525, is the 1.8-litre TWINPULSE engine that has seen service in the C-Class line up. Supercharged to produce a respectable 163bhp in the SLK200, this powerplant offers the dual benefits of higher performance and lower fuel consumption. The smaller engine offers lower friction losses and better thermodynamic efficiency, whilst the Kompressor Eaton-style supercharger has been designed with better engineering tolerances and advanced rotor coatings. Crankshaft driven, this supercharger allows the engine to run with wider throttle openings, again improving efficiency. A cylinder head with variable valve timing and double adjustable overhead camshafts are also refinements ushered in with the Twinpulse engine. Smoothness is a given due to two contra-rotating Lanchester balancer shafts, and engine weight has been decreased by 10% through the use of aluminium on items like the crankcase. A fuel economy figure of 32.7mpg pays testament to this efficiency. Mercedes’ six-speed manual gearbox should fill the initiated with anticipation, promising as it does a short, fast shift, but then Mercedes has promised us that before….

"Cars like the BMW Z4, the Audi TT Roadster, the Porsche Boxster and the Honda S2000 have forced the SLK to up its game"

Take one more step up the ladder and you’ll reach the £31,475 SLK280 with its 231bhp V6 engine. It will reach 60mph in 6.5s and return 29mpg on the combined cycle. Next up is the £35,430 SLK350, powered by a 272bhp V6. Seriously rapid, the SLK350 will rocket to 60mph in 5.4 seconds and even when fitted with the new ‘7-GTRONIC’ automatic gearbox, it’ll still stop the watch at 5.5 seconds for the sprint. With variable camshaft control on both intake and exhaust sides of the engine – a first for Mercedes – this engine offers a lot of grunt for its relatively modest size. Despite this, it’ll still average 28.7mpg – a full five per cent more fuel efficient than its SLK320 predecessor. If you’re after real tarmac-tearing torque and power, there’s always the £51,030 SLK55 AMG. The first eight cylinder SLK, it offers a heady 360bhp and 510Nm of torque, making it more muscular than a BMW M5. Electronically limited to a top speed of 155mph, the SLK55 AMG will nevertheless imperiously destroy the sprint to 60mph in 4.7 seconds, power being deployed by the 7G-TRONIC automatic gearbox. The basic shape of the SLK has been left unchanged, the characteristic short boot and long bonnet creating a more aesthetically pleasing profile than most of the other hard top convertibles, many of which have rather odd proportions. It’s a bigger car than before, the body being 72mm longer and 65mm wider, which means more space inside for beefier occupants. The roof mechanism has been widely copied and now no longer amazes bystanders but folds neatly into the boot in 22 seconds. The swivelling rear window means that with the roof folded there’s now a good deal more space available in the boot – a notable issue with the old car. The SLK is a car that’s associated with engineering novelty, however, and Mercedes don’t disappoint this time around. The AIRSCARF neck-level heating system delivers a warm flow of air from the headrests, enabling SLK owners to drop the roof without experienceing the chill fingers of the typical British climate. This system monitors road speed and temperature and adapts the fan speed Accordingly to ensure a toasty ‘scarf’ of hot air. Safety provision has been well and truly revisited too, the latest SLK featuring a 40 per cent increase in the use of high tensile steel alloys. For the first time in an SLK, Mercedes is using adaptive airbags which deploy in two stages According to the severity of the accident. Twin stage seat belt load limiters also feature and recently developed head/thorax airbags respond to side impacts. A sensor triggers the side airbags and both belt tensioners during a vehicle rollover, with solid roll-over bars behind the seats also helping to prevent injury in the unlikely event of such an accident. The styling is a good deal more aggressive in its detailing than the cute first generation car. The distinctive arrow-like tapering of the front bonnet is reminiscent of both the McLaren Formula One racer and the Mercedes SLR McLaren supercar. Twin exhausts, a deep front spoiler and purposefully blistered wheel arches give the SLK a welcome dose of attitude, beefed up by the SLK55 AMG which features additional vents in the front spoiler and bigger alloy wheels. Cars like the BMW Z4, the Audi TT Roadster, the Porsche Boxster and the Honda S2000 have forced the SLK to up its game. Despite the last model selling over 308,000 examples worldwide, it seems that the market has moved on and more dynamic and purposeful designs sell. The second generation car looks to have fulfilled that particular brief very well although as before, don’t expect the handling and ride to be class leading. Thankfully Mercedes have resisted the temptation to hike prices unreasonably, giving BMW, Porsche, Audi and Honda some thinking to do. The first generation SLK was a huge success. Expect a repeat performance.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Mercedes-Benz SLK Range PRICE: £28,525-£51,030 – on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 15-19 CO2 EMISSIONS: 209-288g/km PERFORMANCE: [SLK 350] Max Speed 155mph / 0-60mph 5.4s FUEL CONSUMPTION: [SLK 350] (average) 28.7mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags / ABS / ESP WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 160/70/52"

THE POWER PRINCIPLE Super-Quick Mercedes SLK Models Sounded Good In Principle But Rarely Satisfied In Practice. The Latest SLK55 AMG Aims To Rectify This Situation. Andy Enright Reports

Sounds great, doesn’t it? A monster engine packed into a sweetly proportioned, elegantly bejewelled drop of Mercedes-Benz bodywork. Then you drove the first generation SLK32 AMG and realised that it was in fact a bit – and let’s be charitable – unsubtle. So Mercedes have tried again, beavering away to create a worthy fast SLK –the latest SLK55 AMG model, which might well have hit the nail square on the noggin. A far more focused driver’s tool than its predecessor, here’s a car that drivers can put straight on the shortlist.

The trouble with the old car was that despite having 349bhp on tap, the SLK32 AMG never felt like a sports car. The chassis wasn’t particularly willing and, when the limits of its talents were reached, it felt raggedy and truculent. As a car to blitz all comers on sweeping A-roads, it felt the pukka item but ask a little more of it and it ran out of answers. As a serious alternative to a Porsche Boxster or even a late BMW Z3 it didn’t really cut the mustard. The SLK55 AMG couldn’t be more different. Power creeps up to a heady 360bhp and torque to 510Nm but the output gains are secondary to the advances made in chassis design and the overall driver interface. Punch in all gears is, as you’d expect, of the sledgehammer variety and the SLK will bludgeon its way to 60mph in 4.7seconds on the way to a limited top speed of 155mph. With the limiter removed and with a favourable tail wind, there’s little doubt this car would knock on the door of 200mph. Although purists may groan at the revelation that the V8 engine is mated to a seven-speed automatic gearbox, the 7G-TRONIC transmission system can be controlled via wheel-mounted buttons and is a very capable unit. It’s not as if you can even begrudge the torque converter sapping a few horsepower when you’ve got this rampant excess to play with in the first instance.

"Punch in all gears is, as you’d expect, of the sledgehammer variety"

Many will have already seen an SLK55 AMG without actually registering the fact. When Jean Pablo Montoya ploughed into the back of Michael Schumacher in the tunnel at the 2004 Monaco Grand Prix, they were tailing an SLK55 AMG driven by German racing driver Bernd Maylander. Two of these cars accompany the Formula 1 circus to every venue, accompanied by a full team of AMG engineers. In order to make an F1 safety car, the vehicle needs to be able to lap at speeds of up to 150mph so that the race cars’ tyres don’t cool too much and the engines overheat due to inadequate airflow. It needs to be able to achieve these speeds with a huge light bar on the roof and also has to have the power to accelerate out of low speed corners in any weather laden down with a variety of cameras, monitors and radio gear, the electrical draw being so great that an additional electrical circuit and alternator are required. Now it may well be apparent why Mercedes Benz supply so many safety cars, the SLK55 AMG being the sixth generation AMG Mercedes to fulfil the role. Few other cars have the torque, the high speed composure and the reliability to make the grade. The basic shape of the latest SLK has been left unchanged, the characteristic short boot and long bonnet creating a more aesthetically pleasing profile than most of the other hard top convertibles, many of which have rather odd proportions. It’s a bigger car than before, the body being 72mm longer and 65mm wider, which means more space inside for beefier occupants. The roof mechanism has been widely copied and now no longer amazes bystanders but folds neatly into the boot in 22 seconds. The swivelling rear window means that with the roof folded there’s now a good deal more space available in the boot – a notable issue with the old car. The SLK is a car that’s associated with engineering novelty, however, and Mercedes don’t disappoint this time around. The AIRSCARF neck-level heating system delivers a warm flow of air from the headrests, enabling SLK owners to drop the roof without experienceing the chill fingers of the typical British climate. This system monitors road speed and temperature and adapts the fan speed Accordingly to ensure a toasty ‘scarf’ of hot air. Safety provision has been well and truly revisited too, the latest SLK featuring a 40 per cent increase in the use of high tensile steel alloys. For the first time in an SLK, Mercedes is using adaptive airbags which deploy in two stages According to the severity of the accident. Twin stage seat belt load limiters also feature and recently developed head/thorax airbags respond to side impacts. A sensor triggers the side airbags and both belt tensioners during a vehicle rollover, with solid roll-over bars behind the seats also helping to prevent injury in the unlikely event of such an accident. The styling is a good deal more aggressive in its detailing than the cute first generation car. The distinctive arrow-like tapering of the front bonnet is reminiscent of both the McLaren Formula One racer and the Mercedes SLR McLaren supercar. Twin exhausts, a deep front spoiler and purposefully blistered wheel arches give the SLK a welcome dose of attitude, beefed up by the SLK55 AMG’s additional vents in the front spoiler and bigger alloy wheels. The SLK55AMG is all about credibility restored. Many had lost faith in the possibility of Mercedes building a credible sporting car. Yes, the company could build cars that would carve trenches in autobahn sweepers but where was the car that could just as happily jink around a tight race track, making the driver feel as if he could have been an F1 contender? Ladies and gentlemen, you’re looking at it.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG PRICE: £51,030 – on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 20 CO2 EMISSIONS: tba PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 155mph / 0-60mph 4.7s FUEL CONSUMPTION: (average) 24.1mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags / ABS / ESP WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 160/70/52" August 14th 2006

KEEPING THINGS IN PROPORTION The Mercedes SLK has garnered a reputation as a surprisingly good driver’s car as well as a desirable coupe-cabriolet. The latest model ups the ante still further. Andy Enright reports

Although monstrously successful, the first generation Mercedes-Benz SLK, launched in 1997, never really did it for me. It looked great and the folding hard top roof was brilliantly integrated, but it was just too self-congratulatory and not enough of a driver’s car. Put one back to back with a Porsche Boxster and you had to wonder how Mercedes got away with it for so long. Then in 2004 it launched an all-new SLK and things changed. A lot. I recall getting out of that car astounded at what a massive leap forward it was. Since then, Mercedes hasn’t had to change much on the SLK but the latest model has been sharpened in a few key areas.

In truth, it probably doesn’t need it. SLK sales remain buoyant and the model’s rehabilitation seems complete. Mercedes, perhaps chastened by the criticism of the earlier car, isn’t resting on any laurels however. The latest SLK may handle sharply, stop brilliantly and ride well, but if there’s one thing you can count on from a Mercedes product, it’s that too much power is merely a good start. All models bar the SLK55 AMG range-topper feature uprated engines, the entry level SLK200K rising 21bhp to 184bhp, and the deceptively rapid SLK350 getting a 33bhp shot in the arm, bringing the maximum power up to 305bhp. This now puts one over on Porsche’s 295bhp Boxster S and features an improved 7G-TRONIC automatic gearbox that now blips the throttle on downshifts, making the shift to a lower gear smoother. The 360bhp SLK55 AMG carries on largely unchanged mechanically, but it does lend its direct steering system with variable assistance to the rest of the SLK range. This system means that both city traffic and fast, sweeping bends can be negotiated with relatively small steering movements. It takes a little time to get used to, but the benefits are clear to see when performing an emergency lane change. Electronically limited to a top speed of 155mph, the SLK55 AMG will nevertheless imperiously destroy the sprint to 60mph in 4.7 seconds. It’s a concussively rapid piece of kit.

"The Mercedes SLK has established itself as probably the most desirable of the premium roadsters in terms of an ownership proposition."

As well as improving the engines, Mercedes has worked on refreshing the look and feel of the SLK. The front end now features an even more defined arrow shape while the back end gets an F1-style diffuser to help plant the car to the tarmac. Trapezoid exhaust tailpipes and AMG-style darkened rear lights also feature as well as redesigned alloy wheels and arrow-shaped LED indicators in the door mirror housings. Spot the SLK55 AMG by its darkened headlamp cluster and side air outlets. The SLK always has been probably the neatest shape of any folding hard top car and the latest modifications just sharpen the look a touch further. Inside, quality has improved with particular attention paid to materials. A revised three-spoke multifunction steering wheel and a dial cluster designed with better visibility in mind. Of all the premium roadster models, the SLK feels the best built and the easiest to operate. Space in the boot is at a premium when the vario roof is folded but interior room is fine for two. As with most Mercedes products, it’s unlikely you’ll be initially attracted by an eye catching list price. Instead the SLK convinces with its blend of strong equipment levels and aura of perceived exclusivity. The range kicks off with the SLK200K, a model which may seem a little overshadowed by the brighter lights but which is possibly the best buy of the whole line up. Typically specified cars will tend to come in at just under £30,000 which compares well with the BMW Z4 2.5i, a car that the SLK200K now outmuscles. Up next is the SLK280, in many ways, this is the forgotten car in the SLK range, as it had a low key introduction some time after the SLK first appeared. Then there’s the beefy SLK350 which, with a raft of typical options, tends to weigh in at around £36,500, followed by the mighty SLK55 AMG. Equipment levels are strong across the board and an enhanced audio and telematics system on every car features Bluetooth hands free integration, an iPod connection in the glove box and even the option of LINGUATRONIC voice operation. Other options include a harmon kardon sound system and the Airscarf neck heating system which is a must if you want to get the most out of your SLK’s open top. One of the key aims of the revisions to the SLK has been to reduce fuel consumption and emissions and the big selling SLK350 model is an exemplar of how these aims have been achieved. Despite being more powerful than before, this model reduces emissions by 28g/km to 227g/km, which is significantly less than an Audi TT 3.2 Roadster, a car that’s nearly 60bhp shy of the SLK350’s output. Some much for vorsprung durch technik. Fuel economy is pegged at 29.7mpg for the manual model and, somewhat counter-intuitively, 30.7mpg for the 7G-TRONIC automatic. The same story continues with the SLK200K which now returns 36.7mpg and emits just 182g/km and the SLK280 (31mpg and 216g/km with auto box). Residual values remain strong with the SLK350 seeing fully 60 per cent of its new value back after three years. One word of advice. If you’re at all worried about cost of ownership, don’t be tempted by an SLK55 AMG. The Mercedes SLK has established itself as probably the most desirable of the premium roadsters in terms of an ownership proposition. It may lose out to the Porsche Boxster in ultimate handling, to the BMW Z4 when it comes to styling edginess and to the Audi TT in terms of surprise and delight design but none of these cars blend such a rich range of talents as the baby Mercedes. Where it was once all about image, the SLK now has some real backbone and substance to it and in the SLK350, Mercedes has one of the most underrated cars on general release. If forced to pick one, it would have to be an SLK200K with some leeway in the budget for the optional sound system and Airscarf warm air system. There aren’t too many cars with folding hard top roofs that I’d give an unreserved thumbs up to. The SLK, however, is tough to fault.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Mercedes-Benz SLK range PRICE: £28,000-£50,000 – on the road [est] INSURANCE GROUPS: 16-19 [est] CO2 EMISSIONS: 182-227g/km (excl SLK55 AMG) PERFORMANCE: [SLK 350] Max Speed 155mph / 0-60mph 5.1s [est] FUEL CONSUMPTION: [SLK 350] (average) 29.7mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags / ABS / ESP WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 160/70/52"

THE FORCE IS STRONG Massively powerful Mercedes models have, in the past, promised much but delivered little in the way of driver satisfaction. The muscle-bound SLK55 AMG aims to make amends. Andy Enright reports.

You have to take your hat off to Mercedes’ AMG division. When it comes to fettling obscenely powerful engines, they have no peers. Even Audi’s RS models and BMW’s M cars usually have to cede the top spot on the power podium to the crew from Affalterbach. If straight line speed was everything, the market would be sewn up, but while AMG models could render you light-headed with their acceleration, straight line grunt doesn’t make a completely convincing sportster. The latest generation of AMG models look set to rectify that.

The current generation SLK raised many eyebrows when it was launched, few expecting it to drive so well. The SLK55 AMG remains a bit of a hot rod, albeit one with a very engaging personality. Perhaps the SLK55 AMG suffers a little in comparison to the Porsche Boxster and the BMW Z4 in the handling stakes, but then its brief is subtly different, offering more of a GT focus than either of these models. This is exemplified by its choice of gearbox. Where the Porsche and BMW work best with a manual gearbox, the SLK55 AMG instead uses a seven-speed automatic. The 7G-TRONIC transmission system can be controlled via wheel-mounted buttons and is a very capable unit. It’s not as if you can even begrudge the torque converter sapping a few horsepower when you’ve got this rampant excess to play with in the first instance. Power is rated at 360bhp and torque to 510Nm and the SLK never feels anything less than sledgehammer quick. The car will bludgeon its way to 60mph in 4.7seconds on the way to a limited top speed of 155mph. With the limiter removed and with a favourable tail wind, there’s little doubt this car would knock on the door of 200mph. The direct steering system with variable steering assistance takes a little getting used to but it’s undeniably effective. As is the traction control system which will get a regular workout when the road surface is anything other than bone dry.

"With the limiter removed and with a favourable tail wind, there’s little doubt this car would knock on the door of 200mph."

Mercedes has revised the engine line up in the SLK range but has left the SLK55 AMG’s powerplant alone. Instead, the car has received some cosmetic tweaking along the lines of a revised front apron with a black painted cross strut, side outlets and darkened headlamp clusters to give it a more aggressive front end. The nose now features an even more defined arrow shape while the back end gets an F1-style diffuser to help plant the car to the tarmac. Trapezoid exhaust tailpipes and arrow-shaped LED indicators in the door mirror housings also feature. The SLK always has been probably the neatest shape of any folding hard top car and the latest modifications just sharpen the look a touch further. Inside, quality has improved with particular attention paid to materials. A revised three-spoke multifunction steering wheel and a dial cluster designed with better visibility in mind both feature. Of all the premium roadster models, the SLK feels the best built and the easiest to operate. Space in the boot is at a premium when the vario roof is folded but interior room is fine for two. What price this level of power and presence? A decent negotiator will be able to get the price of the SLK55 AMG down to just under £50,000 which doesn’t look too bad now that a comparatively quick performance car, say a BMW M3, now costs more. There’s little doubt which of the two feels more special, the SLK’s sportier profile and open top roof giving it a more purist appeal. Yes, the BMW is the more polished all-round sportser and has the edge in terms of practicality, but at this price point we move from the realms of the purely objective into a more nuanced notion of relative desirability. Equipment levels are strong and an enhanced audio and telematics system features Bluetooth hands free integration, an iPod connection in the glove box and even the option of LINGUATRONIC voice operation. Other notable gear on offer includes a Harmon Kardon sound system and the Airscarf neck heating system which is a must if you want to get the most out of your SLK’s open top. There’s no gentle way to say this, but don’t buy a Mercedes SLK55 AMG if you’re at all concerned about cost of ownership. It drinks like a fish, emits a big slug of carbon dioxide, your insurer will be rubbing his hands in glee and you’ll also need to put up with some steep servicing costs. Just about the only consolation is that it’s unlikely to go wrong. Let’s put a little flesh on those bones. Mercedes claims an average fuel consumption figure of 23.5mpg for the SLK55 AMG but on our test routes we have never seen more than 20mpg from one. Insurance is predictably a top of the shop group 20 and emissions are 288g/km. One consolation is that the hefty retained value of 56 per cent helps to take the edge off total running costs. That the Mercedes SLK55 AMG isn’t one of the best drivers cars money can buy would appear to be a damning indictment of this vehicle. Latter day AMG models like the C63 AMG and the CLK Black have shown that handling is becoming more of a priority and in this regard, the SLK feels a generation removed, offering the same sort of point and squirt power that drivers of TVRs once enjoyed. Obviously there are benefits to driving a well developed and beautifully finished roadster from one of the world’s premier car manufacturers and the SL55 AMG underlies this with a feral brutality that many will find intoxicating. Driven at eight tenths it feels magical. Up your game and the margins of this SLK’s talent can become disappointingly apparent. If you need 360bhp or the cachet of the AMG badge, go right ahead but those in the know realise that the SLK350 and £15k in your pocket is a sweeter prospect.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG PRICE: £51,500 – on the road [est] INSURANCE GROUP: 20 CO2 EMISSIONS: 288g/km PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 155mph / 0-60mph 4.7s FUEL CONSUMPTION: (average) 23.5mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags / ABS / ESP WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 160/70/52" January 16th 2008

SHOW YOUR ROOFLESS STREAK Models Covered: MK2 version::2dr roadster, SLK 200K, 280, 350, 55 AMG

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

The fact that the original Mercedes SLK was on sale for fully eight years without significant alterations gives some clue as to how advanced it was when it came to market back in 1996. The 21st century was a problem the SLK was starting to find very hard to come to terms with and by 2004, the car felt rather off the pace. Cue the latest generation SLK, a car that takes a giant leap forward in terms of quality, driver involvement and all-round sophistication. Mercedes had built its reputation on delivering cars that needed no excuses. The SLK showed the German giant was back on form. Used examples are starting to appear in meaningful numbers and despite solid residuals, they’re well worth tracking down.

Mercedes launched the second generation SLK with two models. The value pick was the supercharged SLK200K which made a very assured entry-level proposition, originally priced as it was at £29,032. Pitched for a while at the head of the line up was the SLK350, which originally carried a £37,602 sticker price. This would probably have sufficed for many manufacturers but Mercedes were keen to further flesh out the SLK range and the next addition launched was the rocket ship SLK55 AMG, a car that debuted in October 2004, offering a power proposition that Porsche couldn’t match. A mid-range model, the SLK280 was quietly slipped into the SLK portfolio in September 2005.

The basic shape of the SLK was left unchanged with the MK2 changes, the characteristic short boot and long bonnet creating a more aesthetically pleasing profile than most of the other hard top convertibles, many of which have rather odd proportions. It’s a bigger car than it predecessor, the body being 72mm longer and 65mm wider, which means more space inside for beefier occupants. The roof mechanism has been widely copied and now no longer amazes bystanders but folds neatly into the boot in 22 seconds. The swivelling rear window means that with the roof folded there’s now a good deal more space available in the boot – a notable issue with the old car. The SLK is a car that’s associated with engineering novelty and Mercedes didn’t disappoint with this version. The AIRSCARF neck-level heating system delivers a warm flow of air from the headrests, enabling SLK owners to drop the roof without experiencing the chill fingers of the typical British climate. This system monitors road speed and temperature and adapts the fan speed accordingly to ensure a toasty ‘scarf’ of hot air. Safety provision was well and truly revisited too, the MK2 SLK featuring a 40 per cent increase in the use of high tensile steel alloys. For the first time in an SLK, Mercedes used adaptive airbags which deploy in two stages according to the severity of the accident. Twin stage seat belt load limiters also feature and head/thorax airbags respond to side impacts. A sensor triggers the side airbags and both belt tensioners during a vehicle rollover, with solid roll-over bars behind the seats also helping to prevent injury in the unlikely event of such an accident. The styling is a good deal more aggressive in its detailing than the cute first generation car. The distinctive arrow-like tapering of the front bonnet is reminiscent of both the McLaren Formula One racer and the Mercedes SLR McLaren supercar. Twin exhausts, a deep front spoiler and purposefully blistered wheel arches give the SLK a welcome dose of attitude, beefed up by the SLK55 AMG which features additional vents in the front spoiler and bigger alloy wheels. Cars like the BMW Z4, the Audi TT Roadster, the Porsche Boxster and the Honda S2000 forced the SLK to up its game. Despite the MK1 model selling over 308,000 examples worldwide, the market moved on and more dynamic and purposeful designs were required. The second generation car fulfils that particular brief very well and Mercedes even resisted the temptation to hike prices unreasonably.

Given that the SLK55 AMG is a specialist proposition and the SLK280 was sold in smallish numbers, used buyers will enjoy the happiest hunting when tracking down either an SLK200K or an SLK350. Both cars have a lot going for them, but don’t expect any big bargains. There’s a steady demand for SLKs, especially low mileage cars assiduously managed through the steepest part of their depreciation curve by one careful owner. The 200K model opens at around £25,800, which may seem a lot of money for a 1.8-litre roadster on an 04 plate, but you get a car which punches well above its weight. The SLK350 has, in percentage terms, suffered a little harder when it comes to depreciation, but it still clings onto a good slug of its initial value. A tidy 04 plated car with around 18,000 miles on the clock will still fetch over £33,000.

Many will be tempted to give manual cars a wide berth but the good news is that the manual gearbox fitted to the SLK is a very good unit – a rarity for a Merc. This perception means that there’s a relatively big premium for the automatic versions and keen drivers will be able to source competitively priced manuals if they’re on the ball. Very little goes wrong with the SLK. The roof mechanism always was one of the better designed folding tin top systems and this time round it’s even more rugged. The quality of the interiors is also a good deal better than the old SLK. Check alloys for signs of kerbing and make sure the service stamps are up to date and that the alarm and immobiliser are functioning properly.

(approx based on an SLK200 inc Vat) A front exhaust (including catalyst) is about £625 with the centre/rear section about £275. A headlamp is about £225 and an air filter is about £11. Front shock absorbers work out at around £135 and an oil filter around £10.

All four engines used in the MK2 version were originally new to the SLK. First up is the 1.8-litre TWINPULSE engine that has seen service in the C-Class line up. Supercharged to produce a respectable 163bhp in the SLK200, this powerplant offers the dual benefits of higher performance and lower fuel consumption. The smaller engine offers lower friction losses and better thermodynamic efficiency, whilst the Kompressor Eaton-style supercharger has been designed with better engineering tolerances and advanced rotor coatings. Crankshaft driven, this supercharger allows the engine to run with wider throttle openings, again improving efficiency. A cylinder head with variable valve timing and double adjustable overhead camshafts are also refinements that were ushered in with the Twinpulse engine. Smoothness is a given due to two contra-rotating Lanchester balancer shafts, and engine weight has been decreased by 10% through the use of aluminium on items like the crankcase. A fuel economy figure of 32.7mpg pays testament to this efficiency. Mercedes’ six-speed manual gearbox should fill the initiated with anticipation, promising as it does a short, fast shift. Take one more step up the ladder and you’ll reach the SLK280 with its 231bhp V6 engine. It will reach 60mph in 6.5s and return 29mpg on the combined cycle. Next up is the SLK350, powered by a 272bhp V6. Seriously rapid, the SLK350 will rocket to 60mph in 5.4 seconds and even when fitted with the new ‘7-GTRONIC’ automatic gearbox, it’ll still stop the watch at 5.5 seconds for the sprint. With variable camshaft control on both intake and exhaust sides of the engine – a first for Mercedes – this engine offers a lot of grunt for its relatively modest size. Despite this, it’ll still average 28.7mpg – a full five per cent more fuel efficient than its SLK320 predecessor. If you’re after real tarmac-tearing torque and power, there’s always the SLK55 AMG. The first eight cylinder SLK, it offers a heady 360bhp and 510Nm of torque, making it virtually as muscular than a BMW M5. Electronically limited to a top speed of 155mph, the SLK55 AMG will nevertheless imperiously destroy the sprint to 60mph in 4.7 seconds, power being deployed by the 7G-TRONIC automatic gearbox.

The SLK is one of the standout models in a revitalised Mercedes range. Decent used examples are fiercely fought over, so sharpen your elbows and dive in. The pick of the bunch at the moment looks to be an early SLK350 but there isn’t a bad model in the entire range.