Mercedes-Benz has officially lifted the veil on the third-generation SLK having released images and scant mechanical detail on their upcoming roadster.
Had everything gone to plan, the next-generation SLK would only have broken cover at the company’s 125th birthday celebrations in Stuttgart later this month. But, after an unintended cameo on a French television advertisement late last year – of which we reported on in December – the latest incarnation of this highly successful roadster has been one of 2011’s worst kept secrets.
The new car’s styling has been updated and features a front-end reminiscent of the current SL-Class and SLS AMG. It features an extra-long bonnet with oversized grille and squared-off headlights and – of course – a stubby rear.
The interior has also been fettled with. It features an improved layout and the use of better materials throughout. The dash is dominated by four large air vents (as with the SLS AMG) and most of the instrumentation has been updated.
Further details that can be seen from the images are the use of strip-lighting on the doors and around the centre console and the use of the latest COMAND system with the promise of internet connectivity. It will probably be an option on local models.
As with the E-Class Cabriolet, the upcoming SLK sports the company’s Airscarf system – blowing warm air around your neck – as well as the highly effective Airguide that keeps wind buffering in the cabin to a minimum.
It’ll make use of a reworked version of the current car’s folding hardtop, but adds the option of a solid-tinted glass roof and Magic Sky Control with an electrochromatic glass panel that can be darkened with the touch of a button.
The initial range will make use of three powerplants: two versions of the four-pot 1,8-litre petrol for the SLK200 (estimated to produce 135 kW) and SLK250 (with an estimated 150 kW) and all-new 3,5-litre V6 petrol in the SLK350 (estimated at 225 kW). All models will feature stop/start technology with claimed improvements in fuel consumption of up to 25 per cent.
The SLK will be available with a six-speed manual gearbox, while the SLK250 will make use of the 7G-Tronic ‘box as standard. To improve on its fuel consumption, the SLK350 will make use of a conventional automatic transmission.
Also in the pipeline is the first diesel-powered SLK with a 2,1-litre CDI that will join the range before the year is out. An AMG-version is also on the cards and will probably not make use of a twin-turbo version of the V6 petrol as initially thought, but rather an updated version of the 5,5-litre V8 that’ll be good for 310 kW.
Buyers will have the choice of sport suspension as well as Merc’s dynamic handling package with adaptive suspension, variable ration steering and torque vectoring for the rear brakes that improves cornering capabilities at high speeds.
A local Mercedes-Benz representative was not available to comment, but it is probable that all three models will be available when the new range arrives on local shores in the third quarter of this year. The availability of the diesel and AMG is expected to be early in 2012 or even before the year is out.
Exact specifications, further details and prices will only be available closer to the time of local introduction.