The SLK 2001 finally gets a V6
When it was introduced some three years ago, the SLK roadster by Mercedes-Benz had to face tough competition from two other German cars, more famous for their sporty prowess than the three-pointed star vehicles, the Porsche Boxster and the BMW Z3. At first glance, the small two-seater Mercedes looked prettier than its competitors but lacked in one major characteristic. It sure wasn't a performer.
Don't get me wrong, its blown four cylinder 2.3 liter engine was adequate enough to give solid accelerations and good passing speeds but it could only be delivered with an automatic transmission and that, to a sports car aficionado is a big no-no.
It took a while to get the standard gearbox but by that time, Porsche had gone a step further with the Boxster S and BMW had added a few horses to its Z3 including a more powerful six cylinder (the original Z3 came with a four banger too) and performance M versions.
Meanwhile, the small Mercedes had attracted quite a few women buyers but never attained the genuine sports car status. Also, when we tested the car (that we liked but...) we noted that the Kompressor 2.3 liters sounded more like a tractor or even worse to a M-B owner, like a turbocharged Pinto engine (remember those, also 2.3 liters?).
A 3.2-liter V6 engine
Well, all this is changing. Today, Mercedes is offering a 3.2 liter engine 215 hp V6 engine in the SLK. And even more, it is available with the six-speed (yes, six!) manual transmission! Early in June, Mercedes-Benz Canada invited a group of Canadian journalists to try the new car around the Toronto area. I went and I teamed up with my long time buddy and co-author of the road tests in this web site, Jacques Rainville to evaluate the new SLK.
When it was introduced some three years ago, the SLK roadster by Mercedes-Benz had to face tough competition from two other German cars, more famous for their sporty prowess than the three-pointed star vehicles, the Porsche Boxster and the BMW Z3. At first glance, the small two-seater Mercedes looked prettier than its competitors but lacked in one major characteristic. It sure wasn't a performer.
Don't get me wrong, its blown four cylinder 2.3 liter engine was adequate enough to give solid accelerations and good passing speeds but it could only be delivered with an automatic transmission and that, to a sports car aficionado is a big no-no.
It took a while to get the standard gearbox but by that time, Porsche had gone a step further with the Boxster S and BMW had added a few horses to its Z3 including a more powerful six cylinder (the original Z3 came with a four banger too) and performance M versions.
Meanwhile, the small Mercedes had attracted quite a few women buyers but never attained the genuine sports car status. Also, when we tested the car (that we liked but...) we noted that the Kompressor 2.3 liters sounded more like a tractor or even worse to a M-B owner, like a turbocharged Pinto engine (remember those, also 2.3 liters?).
A 3.2-liter V6 engine
Well, all this is changing. Today, Mercedes is offering a 3.2 liter engine 215 hp V6 engine in the SLK. And even more, it is available with the six-speed (yes, six!) manual transmission! Early in June, Mercedes-Benz Canada invited a group of Canadian journalists to try the new car around the Toronto area. I went and I teamed up with my long time buddy and co-author of the road tests in this web site, Jacques Rainville to evaluate the new SLK.