Mercedes SLK Roadster

The new Mercedes-Benz SLK Roadster enters its 3rd generation and looks to take open-top driving pleasure to a new level. The latest SLK Roadster has an unmistakable sporty design, with impressive comfort and as always; improved efficiency. This time around it features something special as well, with a new panoramic vario-roof with Magic Sky Control, we will get back to what that is all about later in the article though. As far as styling goes, the new Merc SLK Roadster comes with the long bonnet you have come to expect from the brand, with a compact passenger compartment and a short tail end. Much of the front styling of this SLK, with its wide radiator grille and clearly defined headlamps, was taken from the 190 SL, a vehicle which many consider to be the original SLK, all the way back in the 1950’s. The vario-roof in the SLK Roadster will now come in 3 variants: The base version where the roof is painted the same colour as the car, a version with tinted glass or the version with the Magic Sky Control. This option switches from light to dark with the press of a button, allowing for the feeling of open-top driving even when the top is still very much on. The dark option for this version allows the passengers to turn on ‘shade’ if needs be. At launch the car will be available in 2 models, the SLK 200 and the SLK 350, with both options coming with BlueEFFICIENCY. Fuel saving has been improved on both these models, with the SLK 200 gaining 19% efficiency and the SLK 350 gaining a huge 28%. The SLK 200 comes with a 4-cylinder engine that develops 135 kW which along with the optional 7-speed automatic transmission, consumes just 6.5 litres/100km. The Sporty model is able to complete 0-100km/h in just 7 seconds, before topping off at 237km/h. The SLK 350 comes with a V6 engine that generates 225 kW and is able to complete 0-100km/h in a blistering 5.6 seconds before reaching its max speed of 250km/h. This results in a combined fuel consumption of 7.1 litres/100km. Pricing for the new Mercedes-Benz SLK Roadster is as follows: SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY R 555 700 SLK 350 BlueEFFICIENCY R 734 100