Mercedes’ Latest Addition Excellent – Like The Other SLKs
What You Get
Mercedes-Benz SLK roadsters have won the hearts of sports car enthusiasts throughout the world. While the brilliant SL remains cemented in the Supercar league, the SLK has delivered a sports car boost to Benz’ mainstream lineup – an injection of sporty roadster chutzpah that infiltrates the entire Mercedes passenger car lineup.
Addition of the fourth model – the SLK 300, a second V6 – is part of the German giant’s ‘First Choice’ extra value philosophy. It brings a V6 SLK under $100,000 ($98,600) loaded with AMG features and the same superb on-road dynamics you expect from an SLK.
The SLK 300 faces adversaries like the Porsche Boxter and BMW Z4 but beats them for value-for-money. So if you’re shopping for high performance roadsters, you are spoilt for choice.
Under The Hood
Entry to the SLK lineup is the 1.8-litre, supercharged four cylinder SLK 200 (six-speed manual), the other V6 is the 3.5-litre SLK 350 (six-speed manual) and the range-topper is the SLK 55 AMG which drives its 5.5-litre V8 through Benz’ seven-speed automatic.
The new SLK 300 slots between the 200 and 350, driving its 3.0-litre V6 through the seven-speed auto.
Maximum power is 170kW at 6,000 rpm and peak torque of 300Nm arrives between 2,500 rpm and 5,000 rpm. By comparison, the SLK200 is good for 135kW/250Nm and the SLK350 delivers 224kW/360Nm.
Fuel consumption for the SLK 300 is 9.1l/100kms and emissions are rated at 211g/km.
Like the larger capacity V6, the SLK 300’s soundtrack from the twin exhausts is superb. It also loves to rev.
The SLK 300 with its slick-shifting 7G-TRONIC seven-speed auto (steering wheel paddle shifters for manual changes) sprints from zero to 100km/h in just 6.2 seconds.
The Interior
Inside is where the value-for-money strength of the SLK300 ramps-up – a benefit of Benz’s ‘First Choice’ philosophy.
The newcomer gains some AMG-sourced goodies – contrasting red double stitching for the leather seats, gear-lever and steering wheel, some carbon-look trim plus red-edged velour floor mats. There is also electronic adjustment for the steering wheel (rake and reach) and seats – the result is a perfect driving position.
Benz’ usual top-shelf, conservative instruments look superb and the handy screen between the rev counter and speedometer includes a digital readout of the set cruise control speed. As usual, cruise control is set via a left-hand stalk and the other stalk covers both indicators and wiper functions.
Centre-dash is Mercedes’ COMAND APS system with a mid-size colour screen and single CD sound system.
Typical for a two-seater, storage options aren’t immense – however a bin mounted between the seats is handy to store items out of sight.
Operation of the folding hardtop is via one switch on the center console – just 22 seconds is required for the multitude of electric motors to buzz and fold the roof into its designated storage area in the boot. A clever box in the boot prevents you from placing luggage in danger of being squashed by the folding roof.
Like rival two-seaters, the SLK 300’s boot isn’t the one to handle massive suitcases for an extended holiday but it’s quite handy with enough space for overnight and day trips.
As usual for ‘Benz, the SLK 300 runs the full kit of safety features including four airbags with multi-stage activation logic and combined head/thorax sidebags.
Exterior & Styling
Again, the SLK 300 benefits from some AMG enhancements – front and rear aprons, side skirts and a bootlid lip spoiler. The latest SLK also gains AMG 18-inch five, twin-spoke alloy wheels.
Without doubt, it’s a styling masterpiece, highlighted by the long, low bonnet, and the aggressive, raked front grille – all accentuated by the magnificent headlights and fog lights plus the center-mounted large three-pointed star badge.
The curved rear three-quarter is pure sports car muscle with those superb AMG wheels filling the wheel arches and rounded-off by the hallmark ‘Benz taillights.
On The Road
Climbing into the SLK 300 brings instant justification for its $98,000 price tag – this looks and feels like one of the world’s best premium two-seat roadsters…because it is. You sit low - like a proper sports car - and electronic adjustment of the drivers’ seat and steering wheel quickly provides the superbly supportive driving position demanded by sports car enthusiasts.
Fire-up the 3.0-litre V6 and it growls into life with a glorious exhaust note that exudes power and performance.
The McPherson strut front/multi-link rear suspension is sports-car-stiff but coped admirably with Melbourne’s tram/train track crossing.
Over our high-speed mountain roads loop, the SLK was simply exhilarating – we used the manual shifters to keep the V6 revving hard to deliver the required mid-corner throttle balance and maximize the benefits of the taut chassis. Brakes were superb, turn-in was crisp and body control nicely sporty.
Around town, the SLK was predictably refined and easy to live with. That sports car agility at speed and urban subtlety is a combination ‘Benz has mastered.
The SLK runs Benz’ direct-steer system – the ratio increases from as low as five degrees and even with a lot of lock it provides crisp, direct feel. The system actually has an Australian connection – first developed locally by Bishop Steering.
Challenges
Stepping from a conventional passenger car into the SLK, you do notice some restrictions in rear three quarter visibility as a result of the low roof and thick B-pillars.
Verdict
Mercedes’ ‘First Choice’ strategy is certainly a winner for new car buyers. The SLK 300 might be priced north of $98,000, but its value-for-money is beyond dispute.
A V6-powered SLK with all those AMG goodies sure gets our vote.
The Competition
The European roadster segment is a tough one. Both BMW’s Z4 and the Porsche Boxter are beauties, but both will require more dollars than the SLK 300.
Thumbs-Up:
Great new V6; looks to die-for; AMG kit sharpens the value equation
Thumbs-Down:
The SLK 300 only graced our garage for one week.
