Mercedes has decided to beat the spy photographers at their own game and release some images of the 2012 SLK test prototype as well as some interesting information on one of its highlight features – that folding roof.
Given the rather esoteric moniker of “Magic Sky Control”, the glass panel above the occupant’s heads comprises electrochromatic glass that can be darkened within a few seconds of flicking an overhead console-mounted switch.
The basic working of the system involves an electrical charge being channeled through a glass panel impregnated with conductive particles. When a current is present, the particles align themselves in such a way that light is capable of passing through the structure. Cut the power, and the particles arrange themselves in a random fashion that obscures most natural light.
The pictures show the car and its roof undergoing testing in Death Valley in eastern California. The blue box nestled next to the engineer in the cabin is a type of pyranometer – which sounds sinister but is actually a device used to measure solar irradiation on flat surfaces. Basically, the measurements went on to show that the Magic Sky Control roof helps to block infrared and UV radiation and reduce the surface temperature of such cabin components as the seats and steering wheel by as much as 10 degrees Celsius compared to a normal glass sunroof.
Although the car is heavily-clad in plastic camouflage, it’s still possible to get an idea of what the finished product will look like. Much like the current SLK, this model will be fashioned in a similar manner to the marque’s halo performance model. The current car’s arrow-shaped nose was a nod to that of the Mercedes-McLaren SLR – the new model will borrow a more conventional, but wide and purposeful looking, snout based on that of the SLS AMG. The heavy cladding over the boot deck also suggests that the snub tail from the SLS might also be interpreted across to this model.
A peek in the cabin reveals further SLS-inspired cues, including eyeball-style ventilation pods, a hooded instrument binnacle, a sporty tiered facia and three-spoke steering wheel.
There’s no official word on when the finished car will make its debut, but the smart money is on either the Detroit or Geneva motor shows next year.
