Wednesday 7th January 2004

New SLK

AIRSCARF introduced to new model as well as an AMG V8!

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Mercedes has released pictures of the production model of the new SLK.

It's certainly more sporting than its predecessor with much looks very much in the mould of the latest SL and SLR thanks to the revised nose.

The new model offers a choice of three new engines with a performance range extending from 163bhp to 360bhp. This includes – for the first time in - an V8 from Mercedes-AMG. The V8 power unit is twinned as standard with the recently developed 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission controlled by the driver using gearshift buttons on the steering wheel.

Manufacturers struggle to innovate these days and it's been left to Mercedes to bring us a new feature that we didn't know we needed. Mercedes-Benz is offering the AIRSCARF neck-level heating system! This delivers a flow of warm air from the headrests at the touch of a button, thereby enabling SLK occupants to keep the roof down even when there is a chill in the air!

It will be launched in Europe in March.

[bennno]

shame it looks like a squeezed SLR its just a bit too short, narrow and tall...

one for the ladies still methinks....

Bennno

[stackmonkey]

Does ANYONE really need (or want) a 7 speed gearbox??

[Marki]

no lets all stick with 3 speed colum shift , of cource we dont need 7 speed , but then we dont need 200bhp or 100 bhp

[wimdows]

Can't wait to see this SLR look in the other models, like SL and CL...

[Don]

I think it looks fine. The 360bhp AMG model is clearly aimed at the Boxster S market - and will no doubt compete very well. What seems bizarre to me is that they aren't offering a manual box....

Surely who is willing to put up with the downsides of relatively impractical two seater cars are enthusiasts..and they'll (by and large though not all) want a manual???

The poseurs will buy the 160bhp one as its cheaper for all the same kudos...

Or am I talking bollocks?

[Marki]

No dont think so Don , it depends how good the paddle shift is , after all if Ferrari can get away with it

[senator]

I have a new AMG SLK on order just because I had an SL500 which I liked but was too bulky and I thought this would be a nice alternative. Personally I am an enthusiast but one who does the vast majority of his driving in congested Central London so wouldn't have another manual gearbox. The new Porsche and AMG tiptronic type gearboxes are, in my opinion, the best compromise.

I believe that Mercedes also have a problem in that they do not have a manual gearbox which can handle the torque of the AMG tuned V8s and to be frank their manual gearboxes are "b*ll*cks".

[skid]

[eein]

The new nose and rear on look quite nice, but the side sticke me as a bit plain. If I saw it side on I reckon I might mistake it for the pugeot or even (at a glance) an S2000.

I agree with other though - still an HDC. Albeit the head HD (the trainees running round in said pugeots).

[Marki]

skid said:

Then dont read this ,, if you think any convertible with 360bhp is then you are obviously well above all of us

[Don]

senator said:

I believe that Mercedes also have a problem in that they do not have a manual gearbox which can handle the torque of the AMG tuned V8s and to be frank their manual gearboxes are "b*ll*cks".

I had heard that Merc manuals were a bit crap from somewhere else - although I'm sure "a bit crap" is till better than many - just not what you might expect from Mercedes given their excellence at many aspects of car production.

If I was a city-dweller I'd probably consider the auto in my road car too...

[windandwave]

Much better looking than the old SLK, IMHO. The last model was quite square (similar to the previous SL): this one doesn't have a straight line anywhere.

[Marshy]

AIRSCARF? Thought that was going to be a white scarf with a wire coathanger inside it...

My one manual gearbox experience in a merc put me off though. It was an old 190E, with a clutch that bit near the bottom of its travel, a throttle that didn't do much in the first inch of travel and a very long throw gearlever. Kangaroo, sir?

[nickwilcock]

Very pretty!

But the old one still looks classy!

More of a gentleman's tourer than an out-and-out sports car, so it probably won't appeal to those who prefer things like the TVR Cerbera etc.

[danmangt40]

bitchin... you just know that if the 5.5L v8 fits.... all it needs is a taller hood to accomodate a supercharger..... hehehe. methinks I know what to do with my first few paychecks after I get that "esquire" added to the end of my name..... oh wait, that's a decade off....dammit

[daro911]

Guys the new SLK has an all new slick short shifting 6 speed gearbox as standard and I think that a company like Mercedes will have sorted the shift to compete with the current market leaders.