The roads that snake through the Rocky Mountains aren't of the Tail of the Dragon variety that encourage the driver to flog it to the outer limits of adhesion. With posted speed limits of 50 km/h, slow-moving RVs and the sudden appearance of mountain sheep and elk, they're best enjoyed at cruising speed. Luckily, the SLK 350 is content to purr along docilely, and in Comfort mode, it emulates the creamiest of boulevard cruisers.
While enthusiasts have long dismissed the SLK as not being a pure sports car, they may be pleasantly surprised by its current performance. Switch on the Sport mode, and the firmed-up suspension provides handling that's compliant yet planted. There's an improved sense of feedback through the flat-bottomed wheel, and the steering's neither too light nor overly boosted. The SLK feels nimble and lively, there's no deadening understeer, although any hint of oversteer is quickly corrected by the electronic nanny.
As we climbed up through the Rockies, passing remote alpine meadows and thick forests, the roads were at times rough and should have been punishing—but weren't. The SLK absorbed scrabble and washboard, with the composure of a hard-topped car.
While most of our trek was comprised mostly of sinuous mountain roads, there were enough highway sections to let the SLK off its leash. Under its long nose is a brand-new 3.5L V6 that churns out 302 horsepower. That might not sound like much in the "mine is bigger than yours" horsepower war, but it's enough to propel the tiny two-seater from 0 to 100 kilometres in 5.6 seconds.
The power delivery is silken smooth, mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission with manual mode that always seemed to keep the engine revs in their happy place. Using the wheel-mounted paddle shifters, the SLK fairly bristles with energy during passing manoeuvres.
Tuck-away hardtops are notorious for compromising trunk space, so we're pleasantly surprised that we're able to stow two carry-ons and a bulging laptop case, even with the trunk down. A slight spattering of rain on our second day forced us to put the top up—which now boasts the rather oddly-named "Magic Sky Control" sunroof. It sounds a little acid-trippy, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds for such a staid German marque, but essentially, it's just a large sunroof that works like a photo-grey lens, changing from opaque to clear when needed.
The cabin's been re-worked too, with thickly-bolstered leather seats, leather-trimmed doors and brushed aluminum centre stack. The overall look is sleek and refined, and there are bona fide cupholders to boot instead of the silly CD-tray slide-out of the previous generation.
Too refined to be hardcore, the SLK has nonetheless earned the right to be considered a genuine sports car. At $66,500, the SLK 350 does a fair job of emulating the style of the glorious SLS, at less than a third of its sticker price.
While enthusiasts have long dismissed the SLK as not being a pure sports car, they may be pleasantly surprised by its current performance. Switch on the Sport mode, and the firmed-up suspension provides handling that's compliant yet planted. There's an improved sense of feedback through the flat-bottomed wheel, and the steering's neither too light nor overly boosted. The SLK feels nimble and lively, there's no deadening understeer, although any hint of oversteer is quickly corrected by the electronic nanny.
As we climbed up through the Rockies, passing remote alpine meadows and thick forests, the roads were at times rough and should have been punishing—but weren't. The SLK absorbed scrabble and washboard, with the composure of a hard-topped car.
While most of our trek was comprised mostly of sinuous mountain roads, there were enough highway sections to let the SLK off its leash. Under its long nose is a brand-new 3.5L V6 that churns out 302 horsepower. That might not sound like much in the "mine is bigger than yours" horsepower war, but it's enough to propel the tiny two-seater from 0 to 100 kilometres in 5.6 seconds.
 |
| Using the wheel-mounted paddle shifters, the SLK fairly bristles with energy during passing manoeuvres. (Photo: Lesley Wimbush/Auto123.com) |
The power delivery is silken smooth, mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission with manual mode that always seemed to keep the engine revs in their happy place. Using the wheel-mounted paddle shifters, the SLK fairly bristles with energy during passing manoeuvres.
Tuck-away hardtops are notorious for compromising trunk space, so we're pleasantly surprised that we're able to stow two carry-ons and a bulging laptop case, even with the trunk down. A slight spattering of rain on our second day forced us to put the top up—which now boasts the rather oddly-named "Magic Sky Control" sunroof. It sounds a little acid-trippy, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds for such a staid German marque, but essentially, it's just a large sunroof that works like a photo-grey lens, changing from opaque to clear when needed.
The cabin's been re-worked too, with thickly-bolstered leather seats, leather-trimmed doors and brushed aluminum centre stack. The overall look is sleek and refined, and there are bona fide cupholders to boot instead of the silly CD-tray slide-out of the previous generation.
Too refined to be hardcore, the SLK has nonetheless earned the right to be considered a genuine sports car. At $66,500, the SLK 350 does a fair job of emulating the style of the glorious SLS, at less than a third of its sticker price.
Article Gallery