| 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class
Mercedes-Benz has been producing their compact roadster for almost a decade now. The first modern car to feature a foldable hardtop, the Mercedes SLK, proved to be a real trendsetter and generated a real revolution in the convertible segment. At the end of this decade, the Stuttgart manufacturer will reinvent the compact two-seater convertible by presenting the third generation of the SLK. We did our best to anticipate how that vehicle is going to be like
In 1997 Mercedes-Benz have introduced a compact roadster to compete with the BMW Z3 and the Porsche Boxster. While the two competitors where purist performance-oriented convertible, Mercedes went for a practical approach and amazed anyone with the addition of an electro-hydraulically controlled foldable hardtop. This gizmo transformed their car from roadster to coupe in 25 seconds at the push of a button. Cars with foldable hardtops were created before, but none in the modern era of the automobile. Mercedes have resurrected and revolutionized a concept lost for years. And what a bombshell that was, as today all manufacturers seem to be switching to this type of a roof.
The name of the compact Mercedes-Benz roadster was intended to reflect the car’s main characteristics those of being Sportlich (sporty), Leicht (light), and Kompakt (compact). By now, two generations of the SLK have been produced, the second one being introduced in 2004. With an updated design inspired by the F1 racer and the larger SLR, the current SLK was an instant success.
For 2010 Mercedes is preparing a replacement model, the third generation SLK. Wearing the internal code R172, the 2010 model will have to face a matching competition. The SLK Mk I had the advantage of being the only roadster/coupe at the launch time. Even the Mk II, only had to face a few competitors, but by 2010, almost every roadster will feature a foldable hardtop option.
Eddie | 
