Derived from Mercedes-Benz's design mission to create a roadster that is Sportlich, Leicht und Kurz (Sporty, Light and Short in German), the 'baby' sports car that you see here is now in its third generation. Launched a decade and a half ago, the Mercedes-Benz SLK, coded R170, was one of the first modern retractable hardtop convertibles. And since looks was always a main factor for sports car buyers, the SLK successfully portrayed itself as a 'different' car, selling 55,000 units in its first year since it saw daylight.
It isn't so much of a mistaken identity now and Mercedes-Benz has certainly solved that issue when the German marque showcased the current R172 at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Exterior
It lost the feminine side it had on the second-generation model and is now more aggressive, sleeker and sportier. The once-sharp fascia that shared similar design cues with the SLR McLaren has beefed up its appearance, redressing it as a more serious sports car that features designs inspired by its supercar sibling, the SLS AMG.
It's no bad thing looking like a diminutive kid of an SLS. The enlarged star smacked in the centre of the upright radiator grille, with an intersecting horizontal chrome bar that's bracketed by prominent headlights on what is a long bonnet, make the SLK impart a feeling of high performance even when glanced from a distance.
Comparing it to its predecessors, the third-gen SLK has certainly grown up. In simpler terms, the car is now more obnoxious. It's no longer the Justin Bieber it used to be on the kids commercial but the Mark Wahlberg on giant billboards of Calvin Klein's underwear ads.
It isn't so much of a mistaken identity now and Mercedes-Benz has certainly solved that issue when the German marque showcased the current R172 at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Exterior
It lost the feminine side it had on the second-generation model and is now more aggressive, sleeker and sportier. The once-sharp fascia that shared similar design cues with the SLR McLaren has beefed up its appearance, redressing it as a more serious sports car that features designs inspired by its supercar sibling, the SLS AMG.
It's no bad thing looking like a diminutive kid of an SLS. The enlarged star smacked in the centre of the upright radiator grille, with an intersecting horizontal chrome bar that's bracketed by prominent headlights on what is a long bonnet, make the SLK impart a feeling of high performance even when glanced from a distance.
Comparing it to its predecessors, the third-gen SLK has certainly grown up. In simpler terms, the car is now more obnoxious. It's no longer the Justin Bieber it used to be on the kids commercial but the Mark Wahlberg on giant billboards of Calvin Klein's underwear ads.
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Like a true blue roadster, the SLK sticks to its roots of a long nose and minute tail, which begs the question if the boot has sufficient space to pack the roof in it. With the increment in its dimensions over its predecessor, the sleek car now measures 4134mm x 1810mm x 1301mm (L x W x H), allowing the sports car to look more athletic now in the coupe form. In the convertible shape, the two-door body lends itself a stylish and svelte impression, with its body lines further accentuating what is a visually arresting car.
The SLK350 that we tested here also came equipped with an AMG Sports Package. It sports a set of five-spoke 18-inch AMG rims on the outside and a lower suspension on the inside as standard to enable the car to gun through twisted roads in a stable attitude when driven with gusto.
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Interior
Inside, the car is a delight. Although there is nothing that will invite your hands to explore, the cabin materials of leather, high quality plastics and alloy are tasteful and beautifully finished. The dash is straight-to-the-point instead of charming curves, with an ornamental analogue clock that reminds you of a boost gauge more than the time.
On first impression, the cabin exhibits similar cues to the Volkswagen GTI. The leather upholstery, on the sporty bottom-shaved steering wheel, shift lever gaiter as well as well-bolstered seats, sports red stitching. And if that's not enough to bring out the boy racer in drivers, the hot red seatbelts will.
The seating position is low even at its highest setting (more so since this writer is vertically challenged) and while it gives drivers the sporty sensation that they're looking for, visibility is limited. But have the roof tucked into the boot and problems of blind spots will be resolved.
In any case, the roof takes close to 20 seconds to transform the coupe to a convertible and vice versa. The mechanism works smoothly and quietly, although the MX-5 does it in half the time. But more often than not, when you're driving an SLK, rushing to open the top isn't exactly your priority.
Inside, the car is a delight. Although there is nothing that will invite your hands to explore, the cabin materials of leather, high quality plastics and alloy are tasteful and beautifully finished. The dash is straight-to-the-point instead of charming curves, with an ornamental analogue clock that reminds you of a boost gauge more than the time.
On first impression, the cabin exhibits similar cues to the Volkswagen GTI. The leather upholstery, on the sporty bottom-shaved steering wheel, shift lever gaiter as well as well-bolstered seats, sports red stitching. And if that's not enough to bring out the boy racer in drivers, the hot red seatbelts will.
The seating position is low even at its highest setting (more so since this writer is vertically challenged) and while it gives drivers the sporty sensation that they're looking for, visibility is limited. But have the roof tucked into the boot and problems of blind spots will be resolved.
In any case, the roof takes close to 20 seconds to transform the coupe to a convertible and vice versa. The mechanism works smoothly and quietly, although the MX-5 does it in half the time. But more often than not, when you're driving an SLK, rushing to open the top isn't exactly your priority.
Although steering mounted controls are available for drivers to meddle, you'd find yourself having to toggle through different menus just to change the radio channels. Talk about defeating the purpose of keeping your eyes on the road while toggling with buttons. That said, the 'baby' sports car scores points for its space. Head and legroom is sufficient even for slightly taller adults and the trunk offers 335 litres of space with the roof up and 225 litres otherwise.
Available as an option throughout the different variants of the SLK is the Magic Sky Control which alters the opacity of the sky roof with a push of a button. It's innovation at its best, and almost a necessity in scorching Singapore. Should the weather gets a little too bright for your liking, the transparent roof gets darkened on demand in mere seconds.
The system works by passing electric current through particles embedded in the glass to maintain the panel's transparency. Hence, when the voltage is switched off, the particles are realigned which allows the glass to block out light from outside.
Available as an option throughout the different variants of the SLK is the Magic Sky Control which alters the opacity of the sky roof with a push of a button. It's innovation at its best, and almost a necessity in scorching Singapore. Should the weather gets a little too bright for your liking, the transparent roof gets darkened on demand in mere seconds.
The system works by passing electric current through particles embedded in the glass to maintain the panel's transparency. Hence, when the voltage is switched off, the particles are realigned which allows the glass to block out light from outside.
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The Drive
When it comes down to the numbers, the 3.5-litre V6 powerplant residing underneath the long bonnet will thrust out a healthy amount of 306 horses and 370Nm of torque whenever you mash the right pedal, followed by a racy exhaust note that will remind the Ah Beng on the next lane that this isn't a chick's pick.
It has ample torque, torque that's on tap that will allow you to dart in and out of traffic in a confident and fuss-free manner. And should you feel the need to swallow up the distance on the straights, the SLK350 will shift down and surge ahead with enthusiasm at the drop of a hat, spinning the engine to its 6,500rpm redline in a blaze.
At 1,540kg, the SLK is no feather weight, and you'll feel it through steeper bends at high speeds. As a result, it loses out to the Audi TTS with the lack of flat disposition round the corners. On the upside, the big, weighty steering is communicative, giving feedback to the driver as the roads twists and turns.
At a cruise, the engine somehow pipes down to a subdued purr. There is still some road noise and wind noise when travelling at illegal limits but it's never distracting. The SLK feels relaxed and effortless when piloting at a sedated pace - adapting well in urban setting without having the driver to feel that it's constantly begging to be driven hard to feel good.
When it comes down to the numbers, the 3.5-litre V6 powerplant residing underneath the long bonnet will thrust out a healthy amount of 306 horses and 370Nm of torque whenever you mash the right pedal, followed by a racy exhaust note that will remind the Ah Beng on the next lane that this isn't a chick's pick.
It has ample torque, torque that's on tap that will allow you to dart in and out of traffic in a confident and fuss-free manner. And should you feel the need to swallow up the distance on the straights, the SLK350 will shift down and surge ahead with enthusiasm at the drop of a hat, spinning the engine to its 6,500rpm redline in a blaze.
At 1,540kg, the SLK is no feather weight, and you'll feel it through steeper bends at high speeds. As a result, it loses out to the Audi TTS with the lack of flat disposition round the corners. On the upside, the big, weighty steering is communicative, giving feedback to the driver as the roads twists and turns.
At a cruise, the engine somehow pipes down to a subdued purr. There is still some road noise and wind noise when travelling at illegal limits but it's never distracting. The SLK feels relaxed and effortless when piloting at a sedated pace - adapting well in urban setting without having the driver to feel that it's constantly begging to be driven hard to feel good.
Conclusion
The SLK is an easy car to pilot quickly. Despite its slight increase in size, it still has the ingredients and nature for a rubber burning sports car, in and out. It may not be the fastest in its class, considering that it loses out to the Z4 and TT RS but the extra ponies over its lower strength variants will give it sufficient energy for a century sprint timing of just 5.6 seconds despite its heft.
The SLK previously appealed to trophy wives and very successful businesswomen. But that should be a thing of a past. With an aggressive look in front and a sonorous exhaust note at the back, the 'baby' Merc is probably a car you need to hone your driving style.
The SLK is an easy car to pilot quickly. Despite its slight increase in size, it still has the ingredients and nature for a rubber burning sports car, in and out. It may not be the fastest in its class, considering that it loses out to the Z4 and TT RS but the extra ponies over its lower strength variants will give it sufficient energy for a century sprint timing of just 5.6 seconds despite its heft.
The SLK previously appealed to trophy wives and very successful businesswomen. But that should be a thing of a past. With an aggressive look in front and a sonorous exhaust note at the back, the 'baby' Merc is probably a car you need to hone your driving style.
