THIS is our first sight of the new SLK, Mercedes’ popular roadster.
Apart from looking dramatically different – the upright radiator grille is notably different, recalling the legendary 190 SL from the 1950s – the new Mercedes SLK is also the vehicle for the world premiere of what Mercedes calls a panoramic vario-roof with Magic Sky Control.
Taken out of marketing speak, that’s a mood changing roof that can switch to light or dark at the touch of a button.
The vario-roof with Magic Sky Control is one of three roof options Mercedes plans to offer with the new SLK.
The standard version comes with a roof painted in the vehicle colour.
Alternatively there is the option of a dark tinted panoramic vario-roof.
However, the third variant is likely to attract a lot of attention from business owners we suspect – and that’s the panoramic vario-roof with Magic Sky Control.
Despite the daft name given to it, the glass roof switches to light or dark as you wish at the press of a button. When light it is virtually transparent, offering an open-air experience even in cold weather.
In its dark state the roof provides shade from the sun.
It’s not all whiz-bang visual technology, however. The new Mercedes SLK features ECO start/stop to improve fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions as well as lowering benefit in kind company car tax.
There will be a choice of three engine options: two four-cylinder units and a V6.
The 184hp SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY with optional seven-speed automatic 7G-Tronic Plus will give 46.3mpg economy.
The more powerful 204hp SLK 250 BlueEFFICIENCY comes with standard 7G-Tronic Plus automatic and is only slightly less fuel efficient at 45.5mpg.
The most powerful version is the the SLK 350 BlueEFFICIENCY with its 306hp V6 engine and acceleration to 62mph in just 5.6 seconds. Fuel consumption is 39.7mpg.
Mercedes says that ECO start/stop improves efficiency by up to 25% over the previous SLK model.
The new Mercedes SLK will launch in June. Pricing and UK specifications are still to be confirmed.
Did you know?
Innovation and the Mercedes SLK seem to go hand-in-hand.
In 1996 the Mk1 SLK provided a wow factor with its vario-roof, which transformed the roadster into a fixed roof coupé at the touch of a button.
The second generation SLK introduced the Airscarf, providing warm air for driver and passenger while driving with the roof down.
SLK Mk3 provides business car drivers with the world premiere of a panoramic vario-roof with Magic Sky Control, turning the roof light or dark at the press of a button.
June launch for new Mercedes roadster
