Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Interior Review
Inside, the added length and width have created passenger quarters that are a tad more roomy. The environs remain cozy but less cramped. Still, storage is almost non-existent but for the glovebox and door pockets. Purses, briefcases and jackets have to stow in the trunk when two passengers are aboard. Highly adjustable in a variety of directions, the seats are extremely comfortable and supportive even during long drives.
What's most impressive about the new SLK interior is the giant leap in quality of materials. The material covering the dash is irresistible to touch, soft and almost silky. Switches, buttons and trim are silver against the dark background. Five color choices for the interior are offered, black, blue, beige, red and ash. The ambiance is high-tech but not in a steely cold way, but rather in an inviting manner. The only wood is that which is ordered with the optional Vavona wood trim package.
A large center console divides the cabin in half. The console is home to the optional navigation and communications systems. In front of the driver, the redesigned instrument cluster features two large dials surrounded in silver, one of the speedometer, clock and fuel gauge, the other for the tachometer. Both have white needles.
Automatic climate control with built-in sun and pollutant sensors is standard.
A number of new techie features are available on the SLK. Among the most intriguing is what Mercedes calls the Active Heated Headrest or, in other countries, the AirScarf, deemed too feminine a name for the U.S. A first in the industry, the heater installed in the upper backrests of both seats blows warm air about the head and neck. Mercedes says the heater will allow the SLK to go topless for more hours of the day and to extend its top-down season. Traveling with the top and windows down, one can barely feel a whisper of warm air from the heater. The trick is to power the windows up and then one feels the warming blast, which can be set at one of three levels. Another clever feature is an infrared remote control to raise and lower the metal roof, useful for letting hot air out as you're walking up to the car (and great for showing off).
Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Road Test
While an array of engines is offered on the SLK in Europe, the first U.S. model will be offered only with the new 3.5-liter dual-cam V6, marking the first use of this new engine. It replaces the previous 3.2-liter V6 and, thankfully, the supercharged four-cylinder Kompressor that appeared in the original SLK. The new engine marks a huge jump from the original SLK's 185 horsepower and even the 215 horsepower of the current V6. Yet, fuel economy is actually a tad better, at an estimated 22.2 miles per gallon, over the SLK320.
The new, more powerful engine appropriately matches the more aggressive, macho look of the roadster. The engine is rated at 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, putting it ahead of the BMW Z4 3.0i, the Porsche Boxster S, and V6-powered Audi TT. Mercedes engineers estimate the SLK350 is capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mile per hour in less than 5.5 seconds, which would put it ahead of the pack. Indeed, the SLK packs plenty of punch when taking off from a stoplight or accelerating onto the highway, as we found while driving the car at its European introduction.
Another major change for the SLK is the shift to rack-and-pinion steering which delivers far more precise, point-and-shoot steering, an extremely appreciated improvement around blind hairpin mountain turns. Likewise, the sturdier body structure, which led to a complete absence of body shake, has made the handling sportier, while the ride remains comfortable.
Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Lineup
Two versions of the SLK are available for the 2005 model year, the SLK350 and the more powerful, more macho SLK55 AMG.
The SLK350, which replaces the SLK320, comes with a new 3.5-liter V6 rated at 268 horsepower. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard, while a new seven-speed automatic is optional. The SLK comes standard with leather upholstery, a nine-speaker sound system with an in-dash CD player, an antitheft alarm and the Tele Aid telematics system that provides emergency response service or direct connection to the nearest Mercedes dealer.
Options include bi-xenon headlamps that turn with the direction of the car for better illumination around corners and a headlamp cleaning system; a heated steering wheel; a CD changer in the glove box; a DVD navigation system integrated in the radio; adjustable seats with memory function; rain-sensing wipers; a parking assist system; and a tire-pressure warning system.
A premium package includes automatic climate control, rain-sensing wipers and automatic dimming mirrors, variable power steering and the infrared roof opener and garage door opener. A heating package includes heated seats and headrests (see below). An AMG sports package and a lowered sports suspension are available for the SLK350.
In the early days of the fall 2004 introduction of the 2005 SLK, Mercedes will offer the SLK350 Launch Edition, of which only 1,000 will be sold; Mercedes intends to sell about 10,000 SLKs in the U.S. a year. The special edition features premium Nappa leather, exclusive trim and a special equipment package.
The SLK55 AMG (on sale in November 2004) is equipped with a 5.5-liter V8 engine rated at 362 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque, paired with the new AMG Speedshift seven-speed transmission. It's easily distinguished by AMG styling cues, 18-inch AMG wheels, an AMG sport steering wheel with gearshift buttons, and comes with an AMG suspension, exhaust and brakes.
SLK models are equipped with six airbags, adaptive front bags that deploy with a force based on the severity of the crash, side-impact airbags that protect the head and thorax, as well as knee airbags. Two-stage seatbelt force limiters, which tighten based on the severity of the crash, are also part of the safety package; we recommend always wearing seatbelts as they are your first line of defense in a crash.
Active-safety features include anti-lock brakes (ABS), which allows the driver to maintain steering control in an emergency braking situation; brake assist, which automatically applies full braking force should the driver mistakenly relax pressure on the brake pedal in an emergency braking situation; and Electronic Stability Program, which helps the driver maintain control in corners by keeping the front or rear tires from skidding.