New Mercedes SLK Class - In Depth

Press Release

The allure of the roadster summed up in three letters

• New generation of the leading compact roadster
• SLK driving pleasure powered by a new V6 and, for the first time ever, a V8
• Unique innovations like AIRSCARF, 7G-TRONIC and THERMOTRONIC

Over 308,000 delighted customers in every corner of the world, more than 40 international awards and a position as the global leader in its market segment give the outgoing SLK-Class an extremely impressive CV. The Mercedes-Benz Roadster has been setting standards in its class since its arrival in autumn 1996 - not just by virtue of its ground-breaking technological prowess but also thanks to a rather different attribute: its emotional appeal. Eight years after the first SLK premiere, the second generation of the Roadster is set to take the world by storm in spring 2004. As stimulating, refreshing and potent as an Italian espresso, the new Roadster displays its sporting prowess in much stronger terms than the outgoing model. Underpinning these enhanced performance credentials are the powerful new engines, a sporty suspension set-up, more direct steering and a precise six-speed manual transmission. Inspired by styling elements from the latest racing cars, the exterior design of the roadster continues the dynamic theme and identifies the SLK-Class as a fully-fledged member of the Mercedes-Benz sports-car family. The Roadster also builds on the proven strengths of its predecessor - in the shape of a further developed, space-saving vario-roof, for example, even more innovative safety features and unique new systems such as AIRSCARF neck-level heating, bi-xenon headlamps with cornering light function and the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission for the SLK 350 (all optional). These are the key ingredients in an impressively bold automotive character, one which Mercedes-Benz is using to write a new chapter in its long and illustrious history in roadster construction. Dynamism, emotional appeal and innovation are etched into the SLK design, making promises which the compact sports car goes on to keep through every kilometre of every journey. Three variants of the SLK-Class will be available from European Mercedes-Benz sales and service outlets and dealerships from the end of March 2004. With its TWINPULSE four-cylinder engine, the SLK 200 KOMPRESSOR combines impressive power with exemplary economy. Both faster and developing more torque than the outgoing model with the same output, it uses around eight percent less fuel. However, the new sports Roadster offers a lot more in terms of its agility, high-class looks and feel, comfort and range of standard equipment, which includes the following features:

• Stowage box on rear bulkhead
• Luggage net in passenger footwell and on rear bulkhead (driver's side)
• Adaptive airbags
• Heated and electrically adjustable exterior mirrors
• Outside temperature display
• Occupancy sensor in passenger seat upholstery
• ESP® with anti-lock braking system, acceleration skid control and Brake Assist
• Headlamp Assist
• Folding seat backrests
• Two-stage belt force limiters
• Belt tensioners
• Head/thorax side airbags
• Remote boot lid opening via key
• Automatic heating system with dust filter and separate temperature control
• Automatic child seat recognition
• Light-alloy wheels: 7 J x 16
• Multifunction steering wheel, leather
• Projection-type headlamps
• LED tail lights and brake lights
• Six-speed manual transmission
• Manual seat height adjustment
• Silver-coloured sports gearshift lever
• Sports seats with magnesium frame
• Cruise control with SPEEDTRONIC
• Roll-over bars for driver and passenger
• Vario-roof with heated rear window
• Fabric draught-stop
• Central display in the instrument cluster with trip computer
• Central locking
• Silver-coloured trim elements

The new SLK 350 offers everything that you would expect from a full-blooded sports roadster: spirit, poise and undiluted driving pleasure. Under the bonnet, the newly developed six-cylinder engine gives the SLK a particularly powerful heartbeat, one which sets the driver's pulse racing the second the key is turned. The technical make-up and equipment features of the SLK 350 are a reflection of the performance-based character of this model variant. The V6 model comes with the following items of standard equipment not included in the SLK 200 KOMPRESSOR:

• 17-inch light-alloy wheels in five-spoke design
• Enlarged brakes with perforated front brake discs
• nterior lighting package
• Mixed-size tyres (front: 225/45 R 17, rear: 245/40 R 17)
• THERMATIC air conditioning

With the SLK 55 AMG, the second generation of the Mercedes compact Roadster has produced a car which gives even the sports car elite a run for their money. No other model in this vehicle class can compete with the 265-kW/360-hp output and 510 Newton metres of torque generated by the top-of-the-range SLK. The V8 engine at the source of this prodigious power also has the distinction of being the only eight-cylinder unit available in this market segment. The standard equipment package for the AMG model is equally as exclusive, and includes the following items not offered in the SLK 200 KOMPRESSOR:

• 18-inch Mercedes-AMG light-alloy wheels in multi-spoke design
• 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission with AMG-SPEEDSHIFT and steering-wheel gearshift buttons
• AMG bodystyling with special front apron and spoiler lip on the boot lid
• AMG sports seats
• AMG sports suspension
• High-performance braking system with perforated composite brake discs at front
• Interior lighting package
• Mercedes-AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel
• Mixed-size tyres (front: 225/40 R 18, rear: 245/35 R 18)
• Nappa leather upholstery
• Seat heating
• Stainless steel door sills
• THERMATIC air conditioning

AIRSCARF, 7G-TRONIC and THERMOTRONIC available exclusively from Mercedes-Benz

New technical developments and innovations from luxury-class Mercedes-Benz models are available as options for the SLK, further improving comfort and active safety and enhancing the value of the sports Roadster. The range includes:

• Audio 20 CD with nine speakers
• Audio 50 APS radio with CD navigation system
• Bi-Xenon headlamps with cornering light function and headlamp cleaning system
• COMAND APS with DVD navigation function, integrated radio and DVD drive
• PARKTRONIC parking assistance system
• Infrared remote control for the vario-roof
• THERMATIC air conditioning (for SLK 200 KOMPRESSOR)
• THERMOTRONIC luxury automatic climate control
• AIRSCARF neck-level heating for driver's and passenger's seats
• Leather upholstery (for SLK 200 KOMPRESSOR and SLK 350)
• Nappa leather upholstery in tobacco brown (for SLK 200 KOMPRESSOR and SLK 350)
• Heated steering wheel
• Steering-wheel gearshift buttons (for automatic transmission)
• Speed-sensitive steering
• Rain sensor
• Tyres with run-flat system
• Tyre pressure loss warning system
• 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission (for SLK 350)
• Sound system (380 watts) with surround sound and eleven speakers
• Sports suspension (for SLK 200 KOMPRESSOR and SLK 350)
• Fine-wood trim (for SLK 200 KOMPRESSOR and SLK 350)