Heading into its third generation, the redesigned 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK Roadster enters the market with a new look and an optional glass retractable hardtop with a technological twist.
Mercedes calls the sometimes-clear, sometimes-tinted roof technology Magic Sky Control, and it's just one of the new features on the fully redesigned convertible that retains the essential long-hood, short-trunk proportions that define the segment.
Nip and Tuck
Most of this SLK's design changes are evolutionary and only identifiable with a little help. The headlamps, for instance, are said to resemble those on the 190 SL from the '50s, while the front end as a whole was designed to look like the more exclusive SLS AMG coupe and CLS sedan. And despite all the various changes, the roadster's drag coefficient is reduced from 0.32 to 0.30.
The vario-roof power-retractable hardtop is standard equipment and comes in three versions: painted to match the body; equipped with dark-tinted glass; or Magic Sky Control, a first for a Mercedes-Benz. The technology allows you to change the roof from completely dark and opaque to fully translucent at the touch of a button. Mercedes is also introducing a new Airguide system that fits panels between the rollbars to reduce cabin turbulence.
New Powertrains
Two models of the SLK will be available and both get direct-injection engines. The SLK350 arrives first with a new 3.5-liter V6 rated at 302 horsepower and mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission.
In 2012, a less-powerful SLK250 arrives that utilizes a 1.8-liter four-cylinder rated at 201 hp. Although Mercedes wasn't specific, we suspect this is the same twin-turbo four-cylinder engine that will be used in the 2012 Mercedes C-Class Sedan. In the SLK it will come standard with a six-speed manual transmission, while a seven-speed automatic will be an option.
Mercedes predicts the more powerful SLK will hit 60 mph from a standstill in 5.4 seconds, while the 1.8-liter version will accomplish the same feat in 6.5 seconds. Both offer a 155-mph top speed. Combined fuel economy is estimated at 23 mpg for the SLK350 and 27 mpg for the SLK250.
Safety Step Up
Fitted as standard equipment is Mercedes' Attention Assist drowsiness detection feature, which triggers both audible and visual alerts when it senses a driver is falling asleep. Optionally available is the company's radar-based cruise control system called Distronic Plus. Included in Distronic Plus is Pre-Safe brake, which will apply the brakes if the system predicts an impending collision.
If any company has the customer base to support such an eccentric feature, it's certainly Mercedes-Benz.
Mercedes' Adaptive Brake feature retains brake application on an incline until forward motion begins, and packages active yaw control, acceleration skid control and ABS into one standard feature. In preparation for heavy braking, Adaptive Brake also pre-loads the brake system by bringing the brake pads into light contact with the rotors when the SLK driver lifts rapidly off the throttle.
Firmer springs and dampers offer improved ride control over the previous-generation SLK, while a new torque-vectoring brake system, which can apply brakes individually to each wheel, further enhances stability.
Active bi-xenon headlamps with headlamp cleaners and cornering lights are also available as an option.
Other Niceties
Inside there are brushed aluminum trim pieces or, optionally, high-gloss dark brown walnut trim. And in typical German form, Mercedes engineers have thought of everything including optional reflective leather upholstery guaranteed to keep your backside cooler on sunny days.
The AirScarf neck and shoulder heating system remains.
Whether the world is waiting with bated breath for a self-tinting glass roof remains to be seen. However, if any company has the customer base to support such an eccentric feature, it's Mercedes-Benz. Expect to see more details in the coming months, as the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class is expected to arrive in the U.S. this summer.
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says:
11:19 PM, 02/13/2012
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""These luxury roadsters need to learn from Mazda on how the top should fold away. The Miata's hardtop fold down the same space/area as the softtop version, leaving you with a fully functional trunk when the top is down.""
If your major consideration is 'trunk space', buy a VAN!!!!
The SLK must be a 'chick' car! Just like my chick, I love to get into mine, and drive it hard!! Yes, I love them both with their tops down!! And, both are 'fast' - just the way I love them!!!
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says:
04:14 PM, 02/10/2012
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I am delighted! I was thinking of getting a more powerful SLK AMG, but with only a 349HP supercharged 3.2L V6, Motor Trend reported that my 2002 SLK32 runs 0-60 in 4.5, and the 1/4 in 13.0 at 110, (absolutely showroom stock!)! Identical to the 2012 SLK55! With only 15,000 miles on it, great gas mileage, and its rarity, I am going to keep my SLK32, and pocket $50,000 in savings!!!
About the only thing I don't have is the V-8 rumble! I'll survive without it!!
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vvk says:
12:17 PM, 01/19/2011
Ahhh, at last, manual gearbox returns to SLK.
bestjinjo says:
11:16 PM, 01/13/2011
I am sure the same posters prob. think Audi TT is a chick car too. Recently I had a chance to drive a TTS version. That car was a lot of fun!! I don't care if "macho" guys in Mustang GTs and Corvettes will label a TTS a chick car. That's why we have choices on the market.
danwilson1, I also drove C300 4matic as well. Another excellent car. I actually enjoyed kicking the back out a lot more than the 328xi I drove right before it. Although Mercedes cars may not handle as well as BMW at the limit, that's what makes them even MORE fun to drive on the street imo. Mercedes is just tail happy. You can kick the back out on the C300 any corner, literally. Not so with a BMW, which grips like hell (depends what you like).
Oh that interior on the SLK is aluminum, not plastic. Interesting how some people in this thread can't read the basic specs.
mk4801378120 says:
05:41 PM, 01/13/2011
I don't think this car is feminine at all. The 2010 version (Modeled after the SLR) was pure masculinity. Don't get the wrong idea, I don't let the masculinity of any car affect my opinion of it. I don't think Miatas or Z4s, or this new SLK, is feminine at all. The recent restyling of the Z4 is just badass, while Miatas are cool because they're "stripped out", simple, and cheap. If any roadster is feminine, I would say it is the Boxster (The last design was groaty, and the current one, as can said for all Porsches, isn't drastically different from the older one) or the Solstice, maybe. But anybody who lets the so-called chick-car stigma affect their car purchase, they are a complete fool. You don't need to carry a big stick to be a man. This goes to all the Hummer/Camaro/Escalade driving insecure men, too.
danwilson1 says:
04:46 PM, 01/13/2011
@ icecubefosho and aston_dbs
The Z4 "isn't a girls car because of driving dynamics"? What does that make a Rolls Royce Phantom then? A grandmas car?
Seriously, cut the BS about the whole "girl car" thing. Females make up a huge portion of this market niche. Over 70% the last time I checked. And this includes the Z4, Boxster, Miata/MX5, TT etc. These cars are all stylish and lifestyle products which APPEAL to female buyers.
Furthermore, you can bet your ass that the majority of BMW Z4 buyers don't push the car to its limit. It's bought for prestige, style and emotional reasons, but puristic driving? Hardly.
And - there are tons of MEN who like to drive and they find the SLK appealing. Big deal. People buy what they like. End of the story.
johnnyturbo says:
04:19 PM, 01/13/2011
I think the exterior styling is a big improvement over the outgoing version. I much prefer the traditional Benz grille (though the star is rather large) and strong hood character lines to the giant phallic form of the previous car. And though the rear quarters are rounded, the front fenders are too, so I'm not seeing the disjointed look between the front and rear that a few have mentioned. Furthermore, they've done a nice job of hiding the previously discordant cut lines for the trunk/top cover.
A few things I don't care for are the hard character lines above/below the side vents and the rather bland interior styling. Overall, it looks a lot more like the SL's baby brother and a lot less like a boutique roadster than it did before.
icecubefosho says:
03:09 PM, 01/13/2011
Sorry but everyone knows the SLK is a woman's car. The Z4 touches on it but due to its more spirited drive, it can lean to a guy but still more feminine than the Mazda Miata which is more of a guy's car due to its sheer simplicity. A guy that drives a Miata is usually quite confident with his manhood, unlike most guys who drive Z4s unless it was the quirky but awesome Z4 Coupe.
btrdayz says:
02:48 PM, 01/13/2011
aston_dbs, why is the SLK a "girly car" and the Z4 isn't? BMW went through a lot of effort to turn the Z4 into a SLK clone.
rollk says:
02:42 PM, 01/13/2011
The two styling packages are subtle but make all the difference. overall i think the car looks fine; nothing to write home about, but isn't offensive either - as with all mercedes styling. the interior looks great though, i love how it mimics the SLS.