Mercedes-Benz SLK Roadster 2012 Review

Price Guide (200/350 recommended price before statutory & delivery charges): $82,900 / $118,900
Options fitted to SLK 200 test car (not included in above price): Metallic Paint $2080; AMG Sports Package $5900; COMAND media centre $4470; AIRSCARF $990; Steering wheel-mounted shift paddles $540
Options fitted to SLK 350 test car (not included in above price): Harmon Kardon audio $1760; KEYLESS-GO $1850; Analogue clock $510
Crash rating: TBA
Fuel: 95 RON PULP
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 6.8/8.3
CO2 emissions (g/km): 160/194
Also consider: Audi TT Roadster, BMW Z4, Porsche Boxster, Morgan Roadster

Melbourne is currently experiencing its second consecutive Claytons’ summer (the summer you have, when you’re not having a summer), but that hasn’t diminished the enjoyment factor of the new R172 series Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Roadsters currently on test.

First launched in 1996, Mercedes-Benz’s “Sportlich, Leicht und Kurz” (Sporty, Lightweight and Short) Roadster is now in its third generation, selling over half-a-million examples globally in the past 15 years. With its SLS-inspired design, multitude of passenger-warming technologies and a choice of four- or six-cylinder engines, the latest SLK Roadster provides the good looks, comfort and performance you’d expect from the three-pointed star brand, while also doing its level best to offer agreeable fuel consumption.

motoring.com.au tested both the four-cylinder turbocharged SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY and normally-aspirated V6 SLK 350 BlueEFFICIENCY. Both models boast all-new underpinnings (now based on the most recent generation C-Class), a magnesium-framed folding vario-roof (metal hardtop), aluminium bonnet and front guards and, new to the range, an electro-hydraulic park brake.

The entry-level SLK 200 develops 135kW/270Nm which Benz says is enough to accelerate the Roadster from 0-100km/h in 7.3 seconds. The 1796cc turbocharged four-cylinder works quite hard to achieve these figures, and, ultimately, needs to be kept north of 3500rpm to be most effective.

Fuel economy is claimed at 6.8L/100km and on test, we managed 8.3L/100km, which is respectable when you consider the SLK 200 tips the scales at a smidge under 1500kg.

The mid-spec SLK 350 – topped by the soon-to-surface SLK 55 AMG – outputs 225kW/370Nm, and is altogether a more muscular unit.

Accelerating to 100km/h in 5.6 seconds, the V6-powered Roadster still consumed only 9.5L/100km (as tested). Weighing in at 1540kg (70kg more than the SLK 200), the SLK 350 feels solid, but with an additional 100Nm on board is decidedly more Roadster in character than its four-cylinder sibling. 

Sharing the same capacity engine as its predecessor (3.5-litre) it is worth noting that the smoother, free-revving and quieter V6 found in SLK 350 is Mercedes' latest 60-degree mill. The previous powerplant was a 90-degree unit that shared its origins with Benz’s older 5.4-litre V8.

Both models are equipped with Mercedes’ 7G-Tronic Plus seven-speed automatic transmission which, although an improvement on the autos found in previous SLK iterations (fours had a five-speeder previously), is at times indecisive.

On occasion, the transmission will hold gears unnecessarily or, often in similar scenarios, shift rapidly to a higher ratio, perhaps in an attempt to maximise fuel economy. ‘Sport’ mode sharpens these responses notably, and at times we found it better to accelerate and tackle traffic in ‘Sport’ mode before flicking the switch to ‘Economy’ once cruising.

If all else fails, the steering wheel-mounted paddleshifts access a smooth shifting box of cogs, even if they do not always respond as quickly as they should.

Dynamically, the SLK Roadster is markedly improved over its predecessor. That said, we can’t help but notice that many of these improvements come as a result of the assistance offered by the car’s electronics, rather than a more nimble chassis.

Turning the thick-rimmed leather-clad steering wheel away from its anaesthetised centre the added weight of the system’s response to turn-in feels direct. The electronically-assisted variable ratio steering rack progressively quickens to convey adequate information from the front wheels.

Push harder and the SLK will flinch towards oversteer which is arrested in a hamfisted manner by Merc’s Catholic school-strict stability control system.

At freeway speeds, and with the roof in coupe-mode, SLK is appreciable quieter than the outgoing model, with the exception of tyre noise on all but the best kept surfaces. Billiard table-smooth roads are also the best place to enjoy the SLK’s handling. The suspension settings are in a word, stiff — at times to the detriment of comfort and roadholding.

The layout of the cockpit is typically Benz, but shakes the low-rent feel of the previous model with classier switchgear, round SLS-style vents and crisp, concise instrumentation.

The two-seater is also more spacious across its breadth, driver and passenger sitting farther apart than before (the new SLK is 33mm wider than its forebear). Merc’s expensive but clever variable opacity “Magic Sky” glass roof is a novel touch that helps augment what is in reality a cosy cabin.

Alternatively, the whole roof folds into the SLK’s rump when not required, taking around 20 seconds.

Top shelf equipment levels, including LED running lamps, bi-xenon headlamps, solar-reflecting leather seats and a peppy (but optional) Harmon Kardon audio package with Bluetooth and wired smart phone interfaces make the SLK an enjoyable ride in any weather. AIRSCARF (a pair of blowers in the headrest), acrylic anti-buffeting panels and heated seats mean that even in cooler conditions, topless motoring is an enjoyable experience.

The long and the kurz of it is that SLK is greatly improved. Indeed in both variants it delivers an enjoyable prestige convertible experience. All that's left to you is to select a model with the pricetag you can afford and who’s performance will live up to your expectations.

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