Mercedes-Benz SLK (2011 – 2016) Review

March 2011

New SLK goes on sale

Three roof options: plain body colour, tinted glass or "panoramic vario-roof with Magic Sky Control", which switches to light or dark at the touch of a button.

New four and six-cylinder engines featuring the standard-specification ECO start/stop function up to 25 per cent more economical than their predecessors. Unique set of safety equipment. Cd value has been cut to just 0.30.

Length: 4,290 mm (14’ 1”)
Width: 1,777 mm (5’ 10”) (mirror tip to tip); 1,969mm (6’ 6”)
Height: 1,296mm (4’ 3”) (roof up)

Wheel and tyre sizes:

5-spoke alloys front 7J x 16 with 205/55 tyres; rear 8J x 17 with 225/50 tyres

10 spoke alloys front 7.5J x 17 (225/45 tyres); rear 8.5J x 17 (245/40 tyres) £630

For the first time Mercedes-Benz is offering a choice of three variants of the lightweight-construction vario-roof for the new SLK: In just a few seconds this feature transforms the roadster into a coupé with a “fixed” roof at the touch of a button – and vice versa:

A comfortable alternative to the conventional draught-stop is a new pivoting draught-stop for the SLK which has been invented by Mercedes-Benz aerodynamics engineers. It consists of pivoting transparent plastic layers which are attached to the reverse of the roll-over bars. The driver or passenger can swing them to the centre of the vehicle in a flash, thus taming turbulent air flow.

Three models of Mercedes SLK at launch, all of them powered by new engines with direct injection.

Four-cylinder engines in the SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY and SLK 250 BlueEFFICIENCY develop 184 hp and 204 hp respectively from a displacement of 1,796cc. The SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY is the most economical roadster in its segment. With enhanced, optional seven-speed automatic transmission 7G‑Tronic Plus it returns 46.3mpg on the combined cycle. It still sprints from 0 to 62mph in 7.0 seconds, and achieves its top speed at 147mph (150 with manual transmission).

The SLK 250 BlueEFFICIENCY is equipped as standard with the 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission and returns 45.5mpg on the combined cycle. From a standstill it reaches 62 mph in 6.6 seconds, and it has a top speed of 150 mph.

The V6 engine in the SLK 350 BlueEFFICIENCY draws 306 hp from its 3498 cubic-centimetre displacement, using this power to accelerate in 5.6 seconds from 0 to 62 mph (top speed 155 mph). It returns 39.7 mpg on the combined cycle.

There are also three suspension versions to choose from:

• A conventional steel suspension comes as standard
• A sports suspension with harder springs and dampers ensures a systematically sporty driving experience
• As an alternative a Dynamic Handling package is available. Its merits include a suspension with continuous adjustable damping. It has an electronically controlled fully automatic damping system, so the vehicle rolls away gently even on poor road surfaces, but still offers high driving dynamics

Also included in the Dynamic Handling package are a Direct-Steer system and the Torque Vectoring Brakes developed by Mercedes-Benz. The Direct-Steer system offers more handling and agility than the standard steering, whilst also reducing the amount of physical effort required when parking. In critical conditions the Torque Vectoring Brakes produce a defined rotational movement of the vehicle about the vertical axis in fractions of seconds through selective brake actuation at the rear wheel on the inside of the bend. This results in the SLK stabilising without any compromises where dynamism is concerned, and it steers into the bend precisely and under full control.

The new SLK’s bodyshell structure has been further refined, with the bonnet and wings now made of aluminium.

The new Mercedes-Benz SLK also sets new benchmarks in terms of safety, including a drowsiness detection system ATTENTION ASSIST, developed by Mercedes-Benz and the anticipatory occupant protection system Pre-Safe, which is unique in the world, both fitted as standard; plus the optional Pre-SafeBrake, which can apply the brakes autonomously in the event of an impending rear-end collision. As such, with the SLK, Mercedes-Benz is consistently and significantly exceeding the requirements imposed by safety standards.

For the first time Mercedes-Benz is offering a choice of three variants of the lightweight-construction vario-roof for the new SLK. In just a few seconds this feature transforms the roadster into a coupé with a “fixed” roof at the touch of a button – and vice versa:

• The base version is a roof painted in the vehicle colour
• Alternatively there is the option of a panoramic vario-roof with tinted glass.
• The third variant is a world premiere – the panoramic vario-roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL. This glass roof switches to light or dark as you wish at the press of a button. When light it is virtually transparent, offering an open-air experience even in cold weather. In its dark state the roof provides welcome shade and prevents the interior from heating up when the sun’s rays are very intense. In other words: a feel-good atmosphere at the touch of a button

A comfortable alternative to the conventional draught-stop is a new, pivoting draught-stop for the new SLK which has been invented by Mercedes-Benz aerodynamics engineers. It consists of pivoting, transparent perspex sections which are attached to the reverse of the roll-over bars. The driver or passenger can pivot them to the centre of the vehicle in a flash, thus taming turbulent air flow. When the pivoting draught-stops are not required, they disappear almost invisibly behind the roll-over bars. There is no awkward disassembly and removal as with other draught-stops.

There are also three suspension versions to choose from:

• A conventional steel suspension comes as standard
• A sports suspension with harder springs and dampers ensures a systematically sporty driving experience
• As an alternative a Dynamic Handling package is available. This includes an electronically controlled, fully automatic damping system. This means that the vehicle has excellent suspension comfort even on poor road surfaces, but still offers high driving dynamics

Also included in the Dynamic Handling package are a Direct-Steer system and the Torque Vectoring Brakes developed by Mercedes-Benz. The Direct-Steer system offers more handling and agility than the standard steering, whilst also reducing the amount of physical effort required when parking. In critical conditions the Torque Vectoring Brakes produce a defined rotational movement of the vehicle about the vertical axis in fractions of seconds through selective brake actuation at the rear wheel on the inside of the bend.

This results in the SLK stabilising without any compromises where dynamism is concerned, and it steers into the bend precisely and under full control.

The new SLK’s bodyshell structure has been further refined, with the bonnet and wings now made of aluminium. The new Mercedes-Benz SLK also sets new benchmarks in terms of safety. The third generation of the powerful trend-setter will make use of a whole host of the latest assistance systems to support the driver, including the drowsiness detection system ATTENTION ASSIST, developed by Mercedes-Benz and fitted as standard; the optional anticipatory occupant protection system PRE-SAFE, which is unique in the world; and the PRE-SAFE Brake, which can apply the brakes autonomously in the event of an impending rear-end collision. This means that with the SLK too, Mercedes-Benz is consistently and significantly exceeding the requirements imposed by safety standards.

Further assistance systems are available on request:

• DISTRONIC PLUS: this proximity control system automatically maintains a set distance from the vehicle ahead, braking the roadster to a standstill if necessary and accelerating the SLK again.
• The Intelligent Light System provides five lighting functions (cornering light function, country mode, motorway mode, active light function and enhanced fog lamps), which are activated depending on the driving conditions
• Speed Limit Assist is able to detect speed limit signs using a camera on the inside of the windscreen, and indicate the detected speed limit in the instrument cluster or central display.

August 2011

Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG launched

Its newly developed AMG 5.5-litre V8 engine featuring cylinder shut-off combines the ultimate in performance with the best possible fuel consumption. With a peak output of 422 hp and maximum torque of 540 Nm, the SLK 55 AMG outperforms all of its direct competitors.

Its fuel consumption of 33.6 mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions of 195 grams per kilometre are around a 30 percent improvement of that of its predecessor. High levels of driving dynamics are ensured thanks to the AMG sports suspension with Direct-Steer system, Torque Vectoring Brakes and 3-stage ESP, as well as the AMG high-performance braking system.

Forming part of the third-generation of the SLK launched in March, the new top-of-the range AMG model already demonstrates its individuality even at first glance: distinctive AMG light-alloy wheels, specific AMG bodystyling with AMG spoiler lip and two chrome-plated twin tailpipes at the rear complement the classic roadster proportions, while adding a markedly athletic touch. The expressive design of the SLK 55 AMG is both eye-catching and unmistakable.

The SLK 55 AMG is the perfect embodiment of the new AMG brand claim of "Driving Performance": in the compact high-performance roadster segment there is nothing to compare to its combination of tangible driving dynamics, superior sportiness, unique high-technology and low fuel consumption. The SLK 55 AMG accelerates from 0-62 mph in 4.6 seconds, and reaches a top speed of 155 mph (electronically limited).

August 2011

SLK 250 CDI introduced

For the first time, Mercedes-Benz is offering the sporty SLK Roadster with a diesel engine. The 204 hp four-cylinder power unit puts the two-seater at the top of its class in numerous respects. With a fuel consumption of 56.5 mpg on the combined cycle, it is the most economical roadster in its segment. Thanks to its enormous torque of 500 newton metres it accelerates from 0-62 mph in 6.7 seconds.

The result is superior driving enjoyment both on winding country roads and on long motorway stretches. Like the other models in the latest SLK family, which launched in June 2011, it combines lively sportiness with high-quality appointments and excellent comfort.