2011
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The new Mercedes-Benz
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With the completely newly developed SLK, one of the most exciting and successful sports cars ever built is entering its third generation. The new roadster uncompromisingly takes driving pleasure and open-air enjoyment to a new level.
Innovations are part of the successful history of the Mercedes-Benz SLK:
But the new Mercedes-Benz SLK offers more than merely individual highlights. It assumes a leading position in every discipline and offers fun at the wheel in every respect, with no half-hearted compromises. It impresses with characteristics which are generally deemed to be irreconcilable: it succeeds in uniting excellent comfort and high-quality equipment and appointments with a decidedly sporty flair, for instance. At the same time the new roadster is the most economical and thus the most environmentally friendly in its class, also setting new safety standards. And all-weather driving enjoyment – open and closed, in leisure-time and everyday use – is firmly anchored in the SLK’s genes. A distinctive design creates a sporty presence
Interior with style and a feel-good atmosphere
Unique feature: MAGIC SKY CONTROL
For the first time Mercedes-Benz is offering a choice of three variants of
the lightweight-construction vario-roof for the new SLK. In just a few seconds
this feature transforms the roadster into a coupé with a "fixed" roof
at the touch of
Innovative draught-stop system AIRGUIDE A comfortable alternative to the conventional draught-stop is a new, pivoting draught-stop for the new SLK which has been invented by Mercedes-Benz aerodynamics engineers. It consists of pivoting, transparent perspex sections which are attached to the reverse of the roll-over bars. The driver or passenger can pivot them to the centre of the vehicle in a flash, thus taming turbulent air flow. When the pivoting draught-stops are not required, they disappear almost invisibly behind the roll-over bars. There is no awkward disassembly and removal as with other draught-stops. Spirit and efficiency There will initially be three models of the SLK available at its market launch, all of them powered by new engines with direct injection. The four-cylinder engines in the SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY and SLK 250 BlueEFFICIENCY develop 135 kW (184 hp) and 150 kW (204 hp) respectively from a displacement of 1796 cubic centimetres. The SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY has the lowest CO2 emissions in its segment. With the enhanced, optional seven-speed automatic transmission 7G-TRONIC PLUS it consumes just 6.1 litres of premium petrol (NEDC, combined) over 100 kilometres, corresponding to 142 g of CO2 per kilometre. This sporty model sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.0 seconds, and achieves a top speed of 237 km/h (240 km/h with manual transmission). The SLK 250 BlueEFFICIENCY is initially equipped with the 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission (a six-speed manual transmission will become available at a later date) and consumes only 6.2 litres (NEDC, combined) per 100 kilometres (144 g of CO2 per kilometre). From standstill it reaches 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds, and it has a top speed of 243 km/h. The V6 engine in the SLK 350 BlueEFFICIENCY generates 225 kW (306 hp) from its 3498 cubic-centimetre displacement, using this power to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds (top speed 250 km/h). Its consumption is 7.1 litres (NEDC, combined) per 100 kilometres (167 g of CO2 per kilometre). The V6 engine has been completely newly developed. Its most important hallmarks are 3rd-generation direct injection, piezo injectors and multi-spark ignition. The exemplary efficiency, with fuel consumption reduced by up to a quarter compared to the preceding model, is also due to the ECO start/stop system which is fitted as part of the standard specification in all models.
Suspension for the closest connection to the
road
Also included in the Dynamic Handling package are a Direct-Steer system and the Torque Vectoring Brakes developed by Mercedes-Benz. The Direct-Steer system offers more handling and agility than the standard steering, whilst also reducing the amount of physical effort required when parking. In critical conditions the Torque Vectoring Brakes produce a defined rotational movement of the vehicle about the vertical axis in fractions of seconds through selective brake actuation at the rear wheel on the inside of the bend. This results in the SLK stabilising without any compromises where dynamism is concerned, and it steers into the bend precisely and under full control. Ingenious material mix and high levels of safety The new SLK’s bodyshell structure has been further refined, with the bonnet and wings now made of aluminium. The new Mercedes-Benz SLK also sets new benchmarks in terms of safety. The third generation of the powerful trend-setter will make use of a whole host of the latest assistance systems to support the driver, including the drowsiness detection system ATTENTION ASSIST, developed by Mercedes-Benz and fitted as standard; the optional anticipatory occupant protection system PRE-SAFE®, which is unique in the world; and the PRE-SAFE® Brake, which can apply the brakes autonomously in the event of an impending rear-end collision. This means that with the SLK too, Mercedes-Benz is consistently and significantly exceeding the requirements imposed by safety standards. Further assistance systems are available on request:
The market launch date for the SLK is 26 March 2011. Prices incl. 19% VAT: SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY: 38,675 euros, SLK 250 BlueEFFICIENCY: 44,256.10 euros, SLK 350 BlueEFFICIENCY: 52,300.50 euros. |
READER COMMENTS
| Daimler Communications, 70546
Stuttgart, Germany Mercedes-Benz – A Daimler Brand, March 2011 |
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It blends light-footed sportiness with stylish comfort,
a striking sports-car design with total suitability for everyday use, top
performance with exemplary ecology. What’s more, the SLK is proud to
present the world premiere of the panoramic vario-roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL,
which switches to light or dark at the touch of a button. Exemplary efficiency
and sporty flair come courtesy of powerful new 4- and 6-cylinder engines
featuring the standard-specification ECO start/stop function. With their
superb levels of performance, they are up to 25 percent more economical than
their predecessors. With a unique set of safety equipment and a wealth of
technical innovations, the SLK is once again the benchmark in its class.
"The new SLK embodies the role of the trend-setter
like no other car", says Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of
Management of Daimler AG and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Cars. "I am convinced that
with its passionate design, its high-quality interior and its modesty at
the filling station it will continue to provide an enormous amount of fun
on the road in future, too, consolidating its status as a cult
roadster."
The designers have tailor-made an outfit for the
new SLK which emphasises its classic roadster proportions and puts them in
the spotlight to thrilling effect. Behind the long bonnet is a compact passenger
compartment positioned far back, and a short tail end. The SLK will tempt
potential customers with the key attributes that characterise all the classic
roadsters from Mercedes-Benz and that have also made many of them automotive
icons. The first feature to catch the eye is an upright radiator grille that
stands proud and confident in the wind. It facilitates the long and
well-proportioned bonnet and with its rearward light-catching contours it
already hints at the roadster’s dynamic qualities. The wide radiator
grille bears the Mercedes-Benz star in a prominent central position and displays
a powerfully contoured fin, chromed at the front. The clearly defined headlamps
complete the look for the new SLK’s face, which resembles that of the
legendary 190 SL from the 1950s, which is regarded by many as being the original
"SLK". But it was certainly not just the past that the designers were focusing
on; with the new SLK’s front end they also intentionally created a close
visual link with the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG "gull-wing model" and
the new CLS. The amazing and measurable proof of the meticulously detailed
work that has been carried out is that in spite of the more striking, steeper
front and the larger frontal area, the Cd value has been cut to just 0.30
– a brilliant achievement (the preceding model’s Cd value was 0.32).
The closed, elegant shape of the side view with the classic roadster proportions
quickens the pulse and is a visual promise of the sportiness and driving
pleasure in store. Fine details show the care that has been taken by the
Mercedes-Benz designers. For example, a fillet conceals the boot joint, so
that 
With the most compact dimensions in its class, the
new SLK has an interior whose generous size is exemplary. To achieve this,
the designers have developed interior appointments which offer the driver
and passenger a real feel-good ambience. The interior is characterised by
sporty refinement, well-thought-out ergonomics and high-quality, authentic
materials which have been processed with painstaking attention to detail
and skilled craftsmanship. Even in the base version the centre console and
other trim parts gleam in brushed aluminium. Wood can be selected as an option
in high-gloss dark brown walnut or high-gloss black ash. Four round, galvanised
air outlets integrated in the dashboard emphasise that this model well and
truly belongs to the Mercedes-Benz sports car family, their shape being derived
from those in the SLS. The SLK’s generous dial instruments are flanked
by a display for the information generated by the online computer. The colour
display for the communications and entertainment functions is housed in the
centre of the dashboard, and can be easily read by both the driver and passenger.
On the top of the dashboard, also in the centre, sits a fine analogue clock
– an unusual detail which subtly underlines the roadster’s stylish
character. Other high-quality items of equipment include a multifunction
sports steering wheel with a flattened lower section and a thick leather
rim, plus optional sun-reflecting leather which noticeably reduces the degree
to which the surfaces it covers heat up, impressive ambient lighting which
for the first time has a red colour tone, and the innovative neck-level heating
system AIRSCARF familiar from the preceding model.