With BMW and Mercedes, buyers seeking a compact, premiumlevelroadster have been well catered for in recent years. The latter hashistorically approached the market from the comfort end of thescale, with BMW only recently choosing to tone down a previouslymore overtly sporting proposition. The SLK has done a sterling jobfor Mercedes. When it first launched in 1996 the car debuted afolding metal roof, offering owners the best of both worlds - tin-top refinement and security when you wanted it and open-airconvenience when it took your fancy. By the second generation thecar boasted sharper handling to please those seeking a sportierpremium compact roadster experience. With this third generation SLK,Mercedes has further refined the driving experience and added a fewwelcome extra bits of technology.
Style-wise the car offers buyers two choices. The basic SLK shaperemains intact, albeit a little sharper and better defined thanpreviously. Opting for the sport model results in the addition of atastefully subtle but visually appealing AMG-branded bodykit andwheels plus a more focused sports suspension set-up.
With the inclusion of an improved engine range, this SLK followsother recent Mercedes products in delivering greater savings but,impressively, not at the expense of outright performance.
The SLK line-up consists of a turbo four-cylinder in 184 and 204horsepower guise in SLK 200 and 250 trim respectively. There's alsoa six-cylinder unit boasting 306 horsepower. Four-pot models comewith a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, with the 350 getting asevenspeed auto - optional on the other cars.
For those watching their pennies, the SLK 200 returns animpressive 43.5mpg in auto trim (41.5mpg manual) and CO2 emissionsare 151 and 158g/km respectively. The 250 variant isn't far behind,while the 350 ducks under 40mpg and posts a creditable 167g/km CO2figure.
As you can see, there's no longer a downside to downsizing. Andon the road the 200 is a keen and willing companion. Even in non-sport guise the car feels poised on challenging, twisty roads. Themanual gearshift is slick and accurate, while the car's steering isdirect and weights up in a predictable manner. Sport models takethis a step further, but thankfully there's no real compromise inride quality.
With each step up in engine output the experience takes anotherpositive leap, with the 350 predictably offering the most thrills.However, in a testament to the rounded nature of the 200, it's acarengine combination you dismiss at your peril. No modern Mercedeswould be complete without a raft of safety kit and this third-genSLK doesn't disappoint. Inheriting technology from more expensivecars such as the S-Class and CLS, the usual stability controlsystems have been enhanced with the (sometimes optional) inclusionof auto braking, lane departure warning, speed road sign detectionand auto dipping headlights.
On the fun side there's a new infotainment system offeringinternet access, an active wind deflector plus changes to the car'strademark folding metal roof. The basic version remains, offeringcoupe-like refinement and security when raised. There's now theoption of a glass panoramic roof plus a new 'magic Sky Control'branded alternative.
There's little doubt that, with this third-gen SLK, Mercedes hashit the sweet spot when it comes to compact, premium convertibles.The car's styling strikes the right balance between elegance and ahint of performance, while mechanically it's economical, enjoyableand refined in equal measure.
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