Vehicle: 2012 Mercedes SLK350 with Distronic Plus Pkg and Premium Pkg
Price as tested: CDN$72500
Performance: “Sporty”, “light” and “compact”. Has Mercedes delivered with their 3rd attempt on their smallest roadster. We will have the answer at the end of the review.
“Better late than never” is no better word to describe Mercedes’s late to the directly fuel injected party. Folks at Stuggart is 6 years later than Ingolstadt and 4 years later than Munich neighbors when it comes to advancing this technology. Mercedes has named it CGI BlueEfficiency as their marketing buzzword for this direct injection, with or without the turbo boost, add on top of the equation.
The 2012 SLK comes in the form of both a 4-cylinder turbocharged (as in designation of “250″) which will come latter in its lifespin. The subject of our tester comes in the form of a 3.5 liter DOHC 24-valve V6, with directly fuel, variable valve timing and electronic throttle technologies. It produces 302 ponies and 273 lb/ft of torque at driver’s disposal. As with all the well-honed Mercedes 6-cylinders. It provides a sort of elegant performance with best combining with world-class smoothness, refinement and NVH, even when press it to the max. This is the elegantly elogated performance characteristics only found underneath tri-star. The throttle response is decently good, while the 7-speed maumatic provides excellent ratio. The top 6th and 7th are superb for SLK’s cruising character, while 1st and 2nd encourage proper launch of the vehicle off-the-line. The bonus to the whole equation is the paddle shifters mounted on top of the sports steering, is able to override at any given gear. That means driver is able to drop a cone whenever its merging on a fast freeway on-ramp or just plain having fun through the twisties. Despite of Mercedes designation of SLK’s L being “light”, we are solely disapointed of its hefty weight this willing motor has to carry through its wrist. 1540kg is nothing sort of heavy curb weight, even if it has a retractable hardtop, as weight penalty.
Handling: Given SLK is riding on the same underpinnings as the highly-praised C-Class silibings, it doesn’t come as a surprise this is an excellent foundation to begin with as a convertible. Mercedes has stiffed up the whole structure for SLK’s roadster purpose, especially in the form of A-pillars, an area which has to haul through when the vehicle tips over. The desired result is a roadster that is as solid as a rock when driven through railroad tracks and expansion joints. It doesn’t exhibit any kinds of cowl shakes and rattles. As it comes from Stuggart, everything else is solidly put together without feeling like wet noodle. Dynamically speaking, 3rd iteration of SLK is as satisfying as the impressive outgoing 2nd generation. Those of us who remember how unremarkable the original SLK would definitely find it a huge surprise. On our SLK350, it comes with standard Sports Package, which consists of a faster steering ratio and stiffer sports suspension. The quicker steering ratio really has given SLK driver much more confidence when pushing it through the twisties, although it still has Mercedes’s somewhat numb off-center feedback. What the sports suspension does is to create a fimer ride while encouraging driver to involve in its driving more than anything else. The level of suppleness and firmness don’t sacifice much of its controlled ride quality. The body rolls are minimal, understeer and oversteer are all well-tempted given SLK’s ESP remains Mercedes instrusive even when pushed into the limits. The level of agility and balance, by combining RWD and a well-calibrated chassis, make SLK a joy-to-drive.
Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, SLK stops accordingly. The stopping distance is short, while pedal feels strong and solid. Even after a couple of harsh stops, it remains fade-free. Best of all, ABS doesn’t step in unnecessarily while Brake Assist doesn’t grab driver’s right foot abruptly.
Interior: When the weather is chilly but its sunny, you can open the Magic Sky Control which is basically a large sunroof. When its all sunny and hot, you can enjoy getting sunburn by operating the retractable hardtop. In only 20 seconds, it transforms the SLK from a hardtop coupe into a proper roadster. While combining a large sunroof with a hardtop convertible is nothing new, VW EOS has come years before the current SLK. It certainly makes for a more compelling reason to shop for an SLK.
The interior design of SLK mirrors those of the “Gullwing” SLS AMG. Along with the supportive sports seats, come with a wide array of standard features right from an effective auto climate control and a flat-bottom sports steering wheel. All have been finished in a sort of class one expects from the home of Mercedes-Benz.
For a roadster, its amount of luggage space especially after the retractable hardtop completely fold down, is satisfying. Unlike so many hardtop convertibles in the market, SLK actually has an usable trunk.
Conclusion: “3rd time is a charm” is the best description of the new SLK. While the original SLK is nothing more than skin deep, the 2nd generation has improved things greatly. The latest generation actually built upon the success with its predecessor. As it got a great powertrain, handles relatively well and, most of all, without losing the hallmark comfort of what Mercedes has stood for years.
Competitions:
Audi TT Roadster
BMW Z4
Porsche Boxster
Infiniti G37 Convertible
Lexus IS350 Convertible
OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2012 Mercedes SLK350
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Performance: 4.5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5
Value-for-money: 4.5/5
Overall rating: 4.5/5