Mercedes unveils its baby sports convertible
By Russell Williamson
Mercedes-Benz unveiled last month the long-awaited production- version of its new baby convertible, the SLK, at the Turin motor show in Italy.
Although Mercedes has no plans to sell the car in Indonesia as yet, as it already has a range of new models coming soon, including the new E-Class and larger S-Class, it could well be on the German company's product-planners' list in the future.
The SLK, which in German stands for spotlich, leicht und kompakt (short, light and compact) is offered with a choice of two engines.
A four-cylinder 2.0-liter engine develops 100kW and provides enough power to take the SLK to 100kph in under nine seconds and to a top speed of 207kph.
The more powerful 2.3-liter supercharged version, known as the Kompressor, produces 142kW of power and 280Nm of torque at 4800rpm and gives the car the potential to reach 100kph in just 7.4 seconds and a top speed of 230kph.
Drive is to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox.
Suspension is fully independent with double wishbones on the front and a multi-link coil-sprung rear, while the four-wheel disc brakes are fitted with an antilock system as standard.
From the outside, the SLK offers viewers a sexy wedge shape which is sure to turn heads.
Although the car follows a similar theme to the SL -- such as its radiator grille with its large three-pointed star badge -- the rear follows more recent Mercedes design trends such as the large wraparound tail lights that resemble those found on the new C-Class.
The SLK is also based on the same platform, albeit a shortened version, of the C-Class.
The car can be changed from an open-top car to a hardtop roadster in a matter of seconds thanks to a Mercedes-designed folding roof which is stored in the trunk area and released by means of a button in the cabin.
The inside of the Mercedes SLK is functional, even art deco.
There are large exposed areas of metal, with only 20 percent of the interior covered with fabric or leather. Polished aluminum surrounds the instruments and the gear lever.
The standard equipment list is everything you would expect from a Mercedes and includes dual air bags, power roof and windows, alloy wheels, sports seats, leather wrapped steering wheel and central locking.
Options are air conditioning, cruise control, leather upholstery and a five-speed automatic gearbox.
The SLK is one of new breed of compact, sporty convertible roadsters which are being developed by European carmakers and it will compete against Porsche's Boxster and BMW's Z3.