When Mercedes-Benz penned the latest iteration of the SLK, they drew styling cues from the formidable SLR McLaren. The similarities are quite pronounced, and in my view exciting. Unlike the SLR, the SLK resides at the lower end of the Mercedes-Benz hierarchy. Like its prodigious cousin though, the SLK is a two-seat roadster featuring a power-operated retractable hardtop roof.
Three engine choices
Mercedes-Benz has chosen to power the SLK with three different engines. The list begins with a 228 horsepower 3.0-litre DOHC V6 powering the SLK300 before moving up to a 300 horsepower 3.5-litre DOHC V6 enlivening the SLK350, culminating with the highly potent 355 horsepower 5.5-litre SOHC V8 rumbling beneath the hood of the SLK55 AMG.
This week's tester housed the meekest of the trio, but that's not to say that it was in anyway sedate. A generous helping of torque (221 foot-pounds @ 2,500-3,000 rpm) does a commendable job of hustling the SLK on the open road without commanding a king's ransom in fuel.
Mercedes-Benz literature assigns a 0-100kph time of 6.3 seconds to the SLK300, which feels about right based on my less-than-scientific testing. Fuel economy is rated at 12.0 and 8.0 L/100km of city and highway driving respectively.
Automatic and manual transmission choices
Although a smooth shifting, 6-speed automatic transmission backed-up my tester's refined powerplant, a 6-speed manual gearbox is supplied as standard equipment. A 7-speed autobox with paddle shifting accompanies the optional Sport Package.
Refined performance
Perhaps most satisfying behind the SLK's wheel is the vehicle's outstanding operational refinement coupled with its turbine-like exhaust note. I marveled at the polished, linear performance of its 3.0-litre V6. Although it's the base SLK powerplant, this mill delivers plenty of satisfaction when the right foot sinks. Its potency seems to exceed its fairly modest output ratings; seldom would one wish for more.
The 6-speed autobox in my tester was a pleasing unit to operate in its electronic manual mode. This was done at the stick due to the absence of the Sport Package. Nevertheless, the transmission swapped gears with precision while emphasizing smoothness over rapidity.
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| The initial pleasure delivered by the SLK300 is simply visual. |
Three engine choices
Mercedes-Benz has chosen to power the SLK with three different engines. The list begins with a 228 horsepower 3.0-litre DOHC V6 powering the SLK300 before moving up to a 300 horsepower 3.5-litre DOHC V6 enlivening the SLK350, culminating with the highly potent 355 horsepower 5.5-litre SOHC V8 rumbling beneath the hood of the SLK55 AMG.
This week's tester housed the meekest of the trio, but that's not to say that it was in anyway sedate. A generous helping of torque (221 foot-pounds @ 2,500-3,000 rpm) does a commendable job of hustling the SLK on the open road without commanding a king's ransom in fuel.
Mercedes-Benz literature assigns a 0-100kph time of 6.3 seconds to the SLK300, which feels about right based on my less-than-scientific testing. Fuel economy is rated at 12.0 and 8.0 L/100km of city and highway driving respectively.
Automatic and manual transmission choices
Although a smooth shifting, 6-speed automatic transmission backed-up my tester's refined powerplant, a 6-speed manual gearbox is supplied as standard equipment. A 7-speed autobox with paddle shifting accompanies the optional Sport Package.
Refined performance
Perhaps most satisfying behind the SLK's wheel is the vehicle's outstanding operational refinement coupled with its turbine-like exhaust note. I marveled at the polished, linear performance of its 3.0-litre V6. Although it's the base SLK powerplant, this mill delivers plenty of satisfaction when the right foot sinks. Its potency seems to exceed its fairly modest output ratings; seldom would one wish for more.
The 6-speed autobox in my tester was a pleasing unit to operate in its electronic manual mode. This was done at the stick due to the absence of the Sport Package. Nevertheless, the transmission swapped gears with precision while emphasizing smoothness over rapidity.
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| Mercedes-Benz literature assigns a 0-100kph time of 6.3 seconds to the SLK300. |