First filed 14 January 2011.
Mercedes-Benz has just released information and pics for its third generation SLK. On initial assessment, each progression the SLK takes it improves on its past.
The first gen SLK was a bit, well, most people called it “one of those Kompressor thingys” due to its use of forced-fed engines and subsequent badging, which was quite prominent. It suited its hairdresser demographic perfectly. The second gen SLK certainly improved the styling and made a decent step forward with its chassis tune, as well. A few laps around the Nürburgring by AUSmotive’s editor can attest to that.
Now, the latest SLK, has once again improved on the styling and has now perhaps, finally, matured from the hairdresser tag once and for all. Well, as much as any non-supercar convertible can.
The metal folding roof on the new SLK has a great party trick, too. It’s called Magic Sky Control and essentially there’s a glass opening, much like a conventional sunroof. While it can’t open or tilt, you can effectively close out the light with a switch of a button. There’s a brief example in the official video below.
Euro buyers can order the SLK from next week and they’ll have three choices to begin with. There’s a pair of four cylinders options in the 135kW SLK 200 and 150kW SLK 250. The high-po model, until AMG gets its grubby little hands on this car, is provided by a 3.5 litre V6 in the 225kW SLK 350. All have been mercifully tagged with a BlueEFFICIENCY moniker, as well. Of course, Mercedes are banging on about reductions in fuel use and all sorts of green washing.
Australian buyers should see the SLK on local shores some time after June.
Overall, though, this new SLK is a pretty nice looking machine. Would we lust after one here at AUSmotive HQ? Probably not, but we certainly won’t be dismissing it off hand as we may have done with earlier generations.
There’s a handful of pics and the Mercedes press release for you after the break.
UPDATE 18 January: 30 new pics have now been added.
