By Frank S. WashingtonDETROIT, MI – I think consumers see the Mercedes-Benz SLK and don’t realize what they’re looking at. Now entering its third generation, the SLK was the first car to have a successful retracting roof. That’s right, just like its predecessor the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 is a hardtop convertible.
My test vehicle featured the panorama (glass) roof but it did not feature the option that lets you change the color of the tint. Still, my tester did have the optional neck-level heating system, as Mercedes said, that blew warm air from the driver and passenger-seat head restraints.
The feature allows true open air lovers to enjoy the SLK with top dropped in cooler weather. I did try the system with the top up and it did warm my neck. However, I tried the system in the last generation SLK with the top down and it worked nicely.
These two features illustrate just how far the SLK has come since it was first introduced in 1996. And even then, the little roadster was a standout. But don’t get it twisted; the SLK is not the bigger Mercedes-Benz SL hardtop roadster. It is smaller, more affordable and the top retracts into the trunk in a brisk 20 seconds.
I had the SLK350. It was powered by a direct injected 3.5-liter V6 that made 302 horsepower and 273 foot-pounds of torque. The engine was mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission. A 1.8 liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 201 horsepower and 229 foot-pounds of torque is also available. In addition to the seven-speed automatic, it can be outfitted with a six-speed manual gear box. And then there’s the SLK55 AMG with 451 horsepower but let’s not go there.
I wish the manual was available on the V6; nonetheless the seven-speed automatic was still a lot of fun to drive. Horsepower aside, my SLK had something I’ve never heard come from an SLK. I’m talking about engine growl. My test vehicle sounded menacing every time I stepped on the accelerator.
The car handled with rifle shot accuracy. It cruised well on a quick run from here to Chicago. It tracked well, the seats were comfortable but their movement was limited by the car’s size, wind noise was a bit much but remember I had a panoramic roof; they can’t be insulated.
Mercedes did not try and squeeze the angular instrument layout of its bigger sedans into the SLK. The dash was somewhat flat with an angular crease running horizontally down the center. The only thing I didn’t care for was the aluminum trim on the doors, roll bars and console. It looked like the stuff formed the three prongs of the steering wheel as well as framing the air vents. Too much aluminum, chrome or plastic in my opinion is, well, too much.
The SLK’s transmission is new and more fuel efficient. It would downshift up to four gears to insure the right gear ratio. It also had three settings: Econo, Manual and Sport. The car was outfitted with paddle shifters or I could select gears from the stalk in the console.
Mercedes is always at the edge of technology. My SLK350 was equipped with a sleep alert system. Sensors track steering movement and they can identify erratic steering corrections drivers make as they begin to get drowsy. A warning message will appear in the instrument cluster and the driver will be advised that it is “Time for a rest!” The system works between 50 mph and 100 mph.
As much technology that was crammed into my SLK, I particular liked the ambient light along the door ledges and at the folds of the console. It was a soft soothing red. The car featured AMG five-spoke wheels, and SD card slot, automatic folding power side mirrors, heated seats and of course Bluetooth, a navigation system, satellite radio and more creature comforts like its voice control system.
Prices start at $54,800. With options and freight, my test car was priced at $65,245.
This was printed in the February 26, 2012 – March 10, 2012 Edition
