More powerful, more intense

Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Road­sters have long captured the hearts of sports car enthusiasts. Incorporating around 650 newly developed parts, the new generation SLK models are even more dynamic, and now offer an even more emotionally-charged driving experience.

Key visual enhancements include new-look front and rear sections as well as a meticulously modified interior with a new instrument cluster and three-spoke sports steering wheel. A V6 sports engine, developing 224 kW/305 hp, and an optionally available direct-steer system truly bring the bold, dynamic character of the two-seater SLK 350 to the fore.

All the engines in the line-up are now far more economical on fuel and therefore emit even less CO2, despite a substantial increase in output in many cases. The new-generation SLK models will be available from April.

Around 310,000 first-generation roadster models were sold between 1996 and 2004. And around 185,000 customers - some 60,000 of them in Germany alone - have already got their hands on the second-generation model since its launch in March 2004. This means that total unit sales of the SLK Roadster are now approaching the half-million mark.

The new-generation SLK displays new sporty highlights, further enhancing the appeal of the succesful two-seater with the trendsetting vario roof that transforms the car from a roadster into a weatherproof coupé in a matter of seconds.

The sporty credentials of the 2008 SLK generation are further enhanced by three modified powerplants. The four-cylinder powerplant in the SLK 200 Kompressor and the six-cylinder sports engine in the SLK 350 both offer substantially more power and torque. Only the SLK 55 AMG retains its familiar engine - an eight-cylinder unit that has lost none of its mesmerising performance capability and remains a unique selling point in the SLK segment.

The Mercedes-Benz engineers paid special attention to the fast-running V6 sports engine that makes its debut in the new-generation SLK, totally altering the six-cylinder unit's character by making sweeping changes to the mechanical setup. Although the displacement remains the same at 3498 cc, the engine now develops 224 kW/305 hp at 6500 rpm - some 24 kW (33 hp) more than its predecessor. The peak torque has also been boosted, by 10 Nm, and now stands at 360 Nm when the engine is running at 4,900 rpm.

This result was achieved by raising the engine speed limit to 6,800 rpm; it can even be increased to 7,200 rpm for a brief period - oil temperature and other engine parameters permitting.

Despite the higher output and high-calibre performance, the SLK 350 consumes considerably less fuel. With the six-speed manual transmission on board, combined fuel consumption is just 9.5 litres per 100 km, a remarkable reduction of 1.1 litres per 100 km; if the 7G-Tronic automatic transmission is fitted, the sports powerplant returns a combined fuel consumption of just 9.2 litres per 100 km - an improvement of 0.9 litres compared to its predecessor. Lower fuel consumption means that CO2 emissions are also reduced - by 23 g/km to 219 g/km in the automatic version and by 28 g/km to 227 g/km in the manual version.

The new SLK Roadster retains its familiar outstanding qualities including the vario-roof that transforms the roadster into a coupé in 22 seconds, and the extensive standard-equipment package, including head/thorax sidebags, adaptive front airbags and two-stage belt-force limiters. It also comes with the option of the unique AIRSCARF neck-level heating system, which allows open-top driving pleasure all year round, even in winter.

For more information about Mercedes-Benz, represented in Malta by Kinds AutoSales of Lija, visit www.mercedes-benz.com.mt.