Slicker, sleeker SLK

A facelift of the Mercedes SLK signifies the introduction of cleaner, more economical engines and new features such as direct-steer -- a standard fitment across the board.

The facelift is a mild one in the broader scheme of things, largely limited to revised nose, front bumper and airdam -- to lend the car a more pronounced arrow style for the front end -- and changes to the rear apron. At the rear, the company has opted for trapezoidal exhaust pipes and high-contrast tail light lenses.

LED indicators in the exterior mirrors borrow the arrow-shape styling from the front end and the SLK for 2008 is offered with a range of new alloy wheel designs. Palladium silver metallic and Prehnite Green metallic are newly introduced exterior colours for the SLK selection.

Inside, the SLK has been upgraded with a new three-spoke-design sports steering wheel featuring remote control functionality, as the centre point of the restyled interior. The instrument binnacle cluster has been revised also, with new surrounds for the individual gauges. New interior trim options include Gullwing Red leather, Natural Beige nappa leather, pale burr walnut and black ash grain wood veneers.

A new generation (NTG 2.5) telematics-capable Harman Kardon Logic7 audio and information system incorporates hands-free Bluetooth connectivity and iPod/MP3 compatibility. The Linguatronic voice-recognition interface has been adopted for the first time in the SLK, with the introduction of the upgraded model.

Mechanically, the SLK 200 Kompressor develops more power and torque than the superseded counterpart, but the SLK 350 has been the subject of wider-ranging redevelopment. Power for the V6 has been raised by 24kW to 224kW at 6500rpm and peak torque is up 10Nm for a new figure of 360Nm at 4900rpm.

MB describes this revised engine as a 'fast-running' V6, on the basis that the maximum speed for the engine has been increased to 6800rpm, with the ability to achieve 7200rpm for brief periods. The engine, which has been tuned for improved acoustics on the overrun, has been modified with a higher compression ratio, a new intake manifold and a revised valvetrain. Coupled to the 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission, the V6 throttles up during downshifts to match engine revs to road speed.

Official fuel consumption with the six-speed manual transmission fitted as standard is 9.5L/100km, representing a reduction of 2.3L/100km. Along with the reduced fuel usage, the V6 emits 227g/km of CO2 -- a reduction of 54 grams.

The supercharged four-cylinder engine in the SLK 200 Kompressor is 15kW more powerful (now 135kW of power) and peak torque is 10Nm better than before, now 250Nm. Fuel consumption for this engine is now 8.0L/100km -- a 1.2-litre reduction -- and CO2 emissions are reduced by 30 grams to 190g/km with the manual transmission.

The SLK 55 powerplant, displacing 5.5 litres, is unchanged and continues to develop 265kW of power and 510Nm of torque. Mercedes-Benz has discontinued the SLK 280 variant and its 3.0-litre V6.

The direct-steer system introduced as standard for the new SLK range is a mechanical variable-ratio steering system with indirect gearing around the straight-ahead for stability at higher speeds. From just five degrees of steering angle, the steering ratio begins to approach a direct ratio, with Benz engineers having calibrated the steering for faster response in tighter corners and very little wheel twirling required for parking.

Prices for the upgraded range start from $86,780 for the SLK 200 Kompressor. The SLK 350 is priced at $112,380 and the SLK 55 fetches $164,900. For a self-shift option, the SLK 200 costs an extra $3120 for the five-speed automatic ($89,900) and the SLK 350 is priced $3520 higher ($115,900) than the six-speed manual variant. The SLK is fitted as standard with the sequential-shift seven-speed automatic.

New standard features other than those already listed include: Comand navigation and entertainment system (optional for SLK 200), Airscarf neck-heating system (optional for SLK 200), six-disc DVD-capable audio system and transparent draught stop.

Mercedes-Benz will begin local deliveries of the new SLK from this month.

To comment on this article click here