2005 Mercedes SLK Review

Specifications

Clever Technologies Make For Best-in-Class Status

The only thing bad about having created a car as attractive as the outgoing Mercedes-Benz SLK, is improving on the design with the following generation. Rather than simply massaging the current 7-year old design, Mercedes has developed a completely new SLK, with a bold, aggressive attitude that looks nothing like anything else currently on the road.

Inspiration for the design came from the automakers McLaren-Mercedes Formula 1 challenger, especially apparent in the single-seater style protruding nose and airfoil-like lower fascia which results in an impressive drag-coefficient of 0.32. To some extent it looks a lot like the new Mercedes-McLaren SLR road car too, but personally I like the understated lines of the smaller “K” better.

Once again Mercedes features its “vario-roof” retractable hardtop standard with the SLK, and reportedly the updated mechanism is improved taking just 22 seconds to lower, compared to 25 with the old model. Whats more, due to a new pivoting rear window the engineers have managed to squeeze another 2 cubic feet of additional room out of the trunk when the roof is down.

From a driving perspective the new car features a completely revised chassis, which along with the updated steering system and manual gearbox give the SLK a more driver-oriented dynamic.

The same sporting attitude can be found under the hood in any of the cars two engine choices. The base engine will be a new 3.5-liter V6. What happened to the old supercharged 4-cylinder? That model, now putting out 163 horsepower, will no longer be available here. In other markets the engine features vibration-reducing balancer shafts and M-Bs Twinpulse technology, the former items purpose being obvious and the latter said to improve horsepower, torque, smoothness and fuel consumption. The SLK 200 Kompressor features a 6-speed manual standard, also improved over the outgoing manual shifter. Mercedes says the new gearbox offers shorter, faster strokes, and greater levels of precision. The Euro model can be had with a 5-speed automatic with manual mode as well, with steering wheel mounted controls as an option.

The new upgraded 3.5-liter V6 that comes standard in the U.S., the first of its type from Mercedes to offer dual-overhead cam technology, can be had with the upgraded 6-speed manual or optional automatic too, but this time the latter choice is the brands new 7G-TRONIC 7-speed unit. The 3.5-liter V6 is quieter and more fuel efficient than the engine it replaces, boasting 268 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, which currently places it near the top of the roadster class. Maximum torque is available from as low as 2,500 rpm and remains constant right up to 5,000 rpm, which should make the new roadster as effortless to commute through stop and go traffic as it will be entertaining on the open road. Mercedes claims the SLK 350 will charge to 60 mph from standstill in 5.5 seconds when equipped with the standard 6-speed manual transmission, and amazingly 5.4 seconds in SLKs featuring the new 7-speed autobox.

Mercedes arrives at its impressive output figures via variably adjustable intake and exhaust camshafts, an industry first as applied to V6 engine configurations. Adding to this technological tour de force is a two-stage intake manifold, tumble flaps in intake ducts plus an intelligent heat management system.

Whats so intelligent about it? Mercedes has designed a continuously active electronic map-controlled thermostat, which directs inner heat flow throughout the engine so that engine oil and coolant are kept at optimal temperatures.

Keeping the engines temperature just right is especially important as its crankcase and cylinder heads are now aluminum. The weight has been reduced internally too, with new lighter connecting rods, pistons and balancer weights.

Mercedes lines the new engines cylinders with aluminum-silicon liners said to offer “particularly low friction, distortion and weight.”

Due to the aforementioned technologies, plus internal exhaust gas recirculation, secondary air injection, etc, the engines exhaust emissions are extremely low, even to Europes 2005 EU 4 limits.

SLK55 AMGs will feature the first V8 to ever be offered in the SLK-Class. With a new class benchmark of 360 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque, the lightweight roadster can reportedly achieve sub-5-second runs to 100 km/h. The SLK55 will only be available with M-Bs 7-speed automatic, but at least the standard steering wheel mounted buttons will make for a more integrated driver-machine experience.

Handling is reportedly improved in both the SLK350 and SLK55 AMG due in part to the new SLKs extended width, up 3 inches over the outgoing car. Other enhancements to improve cornering start with a new three-link front axle design. Added to a rack-and-pinion steering unit, the old car featured a recirculating ball system, the new model is said to manage twisting roadways with a new athleticism.

Any cars wheel and tire package can make a big difference to at-the-limit-handling too, therefore Mercedes offers three choices to allow owners a compromise between ride quality and out-and-out performance. Base models will receive 16-inch alloy rims on performance rubber, while 17- and 18-inch combinations will also be available. Whats more, a lowered sports suspension can also be ordered.

Adding to the performance equation are large 13.0 inch perforated and ventilated front disc brakes featuring 4-piston calipers and 11.4 inch rear discs with 2-piston calipers.

Performance aside, SLK occupants will be more comfortable too. Not only is the thoroughly redesigned interior larger, with more head, leg, hip and shoulder room, but Mercedes has added AIRSCARF, the worlds first neck-level heating system that blows warm air through the headrests to literally extend summer top-down cruising into the colder months.

From a visual perspective, M-B has spiced up the cars interior styling with trendy silver switchgear and cabin accents, designed to contrast against the darker-toned dash. Chronometer-style speedometer, fuel gauge, tachometer and clock give the new car an expensive ambiance, while the overall appearance of the interior is a major step ahead.
The current SLK has been criticized for less than ideal quality plastics and questionable fit and finish, but no such complaints should be aired with regards to the new car. Whats more, buyers can order their SLKs with one of six interior leather colors options, allowing a new level of personal preference.

Driver and passenger will be safer too, with new standard head/thorax side airbags, adaptive front airbags and dual-stage seatbelt force limiters. Less obvious, the SLKs unitized bodyshell uses a higher-strength steel alloy over 42 percent of the structure, resulting in a 46 percent increase in torsional rigidity plus a 19 percent increase in bending strength. In case of rollover, Mercedes has integrated rollover bars behind the seats that combine with the reinforced A-pillars to act as a safety cage.

Another breakthrough technology that isnt noticeable, at least at first, is the SLKs new scratch-resistant clearcoat paint finish. First developed in the nano-technology industry, ceramic particles less than a millionth of a millimeter in size are integrated into the molecular structure of the paint bonding agent. During the drying process, the particles form a unified, dense pattern which increases scratch resistance up to three times over conventional paint coatings. The resale value of pre-owned SLKs will benefit from such attention, plus it will make it possible for buyers to purchase darker colors without the concern of hairline scratches.

Since first showing photos of the car earlier this year Mercedes has accumulated more than 7,000 orders. European buyers were able to see the 2005 SLK first hand during the first week of March when it appeared at the 74th annual Geneva Motor Show, while North American consumers had the chance to first see it in New York in April.

The new Mercedes starts at a price of 33,524 euros in Europe, which converts to USD$43,059. This is probably a little lower than the expected price here in North America, being that the base model here will be the SLK350. The top-line AMG model is 63,974 euros across the Atlantic, which is equal to USD$82,166. Still, you can be sure that the SLK55 AMG will be a little less expensive here than in Europe. Actual U.S. prices for both models will be announced closer to the model going on sale this fall.

Will the new model be able to top the current cars 300,000 plus total sales? Thats difficult to say, but with more style, increased power and better functionality it should at least hold on to its strong segment position.