| | Kuala Lumpur, 1 September 2008 |
The Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Roadsters have long captured the hearts of sports car enthusiasts. Following an extensive facelift incorporating around 650 newly developed components, the SLK models of 2008 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. All of 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.
Since their first appearance in 1996, the compact Mercedes-Benz SLK Roadsters have come to symbolize Mercedes-Benz's dynamic brand image. Already a familiar sight on our roads, the second-generation two-seater is to be further enhanced with the implementation of a raft of measures in 2008, the aim being to further emphasise the car's sporty character and continue the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class success story by introducing new dynamic and powerful elements. Some 310,000 first-generation roadster models were sold between 1996 and 2004 and around 185,000 customers have already purchased the second-generation model since its launch in March 2004 (figures at year-end 2007). This means that total unit sales of the Mercedes-Benz SLK Roadster are now approaching the half million mark. The second-generation Mercedes-Benz SLK has therefore retained the car's unique status in this market segment.
The new-generation Mercedes-Benz SLK blazes a trail of new sporty highlights, bestowing yet greater appeal on this thriving two-seater with the trendsetting vario-roof that transforms the car from a roadster into a weatherproof coupé in a matter of seconds.
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| Distinctive character: even more pronounced V-shape at the front |
| The designers have honed the looks of the cult two-seater for added sportiness. Eye-catching features include the new-look front bumper with a modified air-dam arrangement and a more pronounced V-shape, while the area around the Mercedes star now stands out more boldly. The designers have also remodelled the vehicle's tail, with the diffuser-look styling at the bottom giving the Roadster an even more powerful appearance from the rear too. This is further emphasised by the trapezoidal exhaust tailpipes and the AMG-inspired darkened tail lights. The now larger exterior mirrors feature LED indicators with a pronounced arrow shape, while the range of light-alloy wheels is also almost entirely new. |
| High-quality cockpit and new three-spoke sports steering wheel |
Many of the interior's details have undergone remodelling too, and the interior has been refined as a whole by meticulous material selection. Particular care was taken to optimise the interior in such a way as to make it that much more driver-focused again. Centre pieces include a new three-spoke sports steering wheel with multifunction buttons as well as a new instrument cluster with intriguing-looking dial bezels.
New ‘gullwing red’ leather appointments will now be available, which are reminiscent of the interior appointments in the legendary Mercedes-Benz 300 SL gullwing model. Further new additions include nappa leather appointments in ‘natural beige’, which complement the new ‘pale burr walnut’ and ‘black ash grain’ wood trims perfectly.
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| Enhanced audio and telematics systems |
Mercedes-Benz is installing the new NTG 2.5 generation of audio and telematics componentry in the Mercedes-Benz SLK for the first time. This boasts improved user friendliness together with even more handy functions. Standard features integrated in every radio include a hands-free facility using Bluetooth technology, plus – as an option – a new media interface in the glove compartment, which enables mobile audio devices such as the iPod to be fully integrated into the audio system and operated from its control panel.
The switch to the new telematics generation now sees Mercedes-Benz offering the optimised LINGUATRONIC voice control system, renowned for its outstanding operation, as an option for the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class for the first time.
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| High-revving sports engine |
| Making a mighty contribution to the sporty billing of the 2008 generation of the Mercedes-Benz SLK are three reengineered drive units, which all make their mark with lower fuel consumption, resulting in reduced CO2 emissions. The four-cylinder engine in the Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 KOMPRESSOR benefit from a substantial increase in output and torque. |
| Choice of three further engines |
Following the facelift, the engine line-up for the second generation of the successful Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class will comprise three further variants:
• The output of the four-cylinder supercharged engine has been boosted by 15 kW/21 hp (to 135 kW/184 hp), with torque increasing from 240 to 250 Newton metres.
Combined fuel consumption has dropped by 1.0 litre to 7.7 l/100 km. This in turn reduces CO2 emissions by 27 g/km to 182 g/km.
• The Mercedes-Benz SLK 280 has likewise been optimised for lower fuel consumption, and therefore CO2 emissions. Fuel consumption has dropped by 0.4 litres to 9.3 l/100 km (automatic: -0.2 l to 9.1 l/100 km) and CO2 emissions by 11 g to 220 g/km (automatic: -6 g to 216 g/km).
• At work under the bonnet of the Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG is the familiar 5.5-litre V8 powerplant delivering 265 kW/360 hp and 510 Nm of torque.
The three new models in the Mercedes-Benz SLK range all come with a precision six-speed manual gearshift. The Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG retains the 7G-TRONIC Sport seven-speed automatic transmission. The optional extras available include a five-speed automatic transmission for the Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 as well as the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission or, alternatively, the 7G-TRONIC Sport with shift paddles on the steering wheel for the six-cylinder Mercedes-Benz SLK 280 and Mercedes-Benz SLK 350 sports engine models.
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A newly developed direct-steer system with variable power assistance that elicits the very best from the suspension's sporty capabilities is optionally available. It combines agility and manoeuvrability on twisting country roads with light steering forces when parking and sure steering characteristics at high speeds.
The direct-steer system is derived from the previous speed-sensitive power steering and operates purely mechanically. This dispenses with the need for elaborate actuator units and complex sensors, which would otherwise impair the flow of forces between the wheels and hands, thereby compromising steering precision. At the heart of the system is a new rack with ingeniously devised gearing, which ensures that the steering gear ratio changes in tune with the steering angle. In and around the central position, the steering has an indirect ratio for good straight-line stability, resulting in tremendous assuredness when travelling at high speeds. At a steering angle of just 5 degrees, the ratio starts to increase very rapidly and the steering feels much more direct. As a result, the number of steering wheel turns from lock to lock is reduced by around 25 percent with the new direct-steer system. Consequently, relatively small turns of the steering wheel are sufficient for changing course when driving in city traffic. Fast sequences of bends on rural roads, on the other hand, can be negotiated almost intuitively with relatively small steering movements – with assurance, precision and a healthy dose of driving pleasure.
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As trendsetters and technology leaders, the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Roadsters have long enjoyed the image of a modern cult car. Even after the extensive modifications, the familiar outstanding qualities remain, for example, the vario-roof that transforms the Roadster into a coupé in 22 seconds, not to mention the comprehensive standard specification, including head / thorax sidebags, adaptive front airbags and two-stage belt-force limiters.
The new generation Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 and SLK 280 are priced at RM483,888.00 and RM568,888.00, respectively. |
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