The car that brought the folding metal roof into fashion is about to get even smarter. Exclusive pictures of the new Mercedes SLK in the current issue of Auto Express magazine - accurately reproduced and confirmed thanks to sources at the factory - show how the model will have an even more intricate retractable hard-top and an amazing new look. It will debut at next year's Geneva Motor Show.
And the roof mechanism will be sim- ilar to the current SL's Varioroof, with the top folding back on itself to take up as little space as possible when stowed away. That means more boot space and a larger petrol tank - solving two main criticisms of the current car.
Our pictures also show how the newcomer will be sharply styled, with a beaked front remarkably similar to that of the striking SLR's. However, in profile the car resembles the existing SLK, with a stubby bootlid and steeply raked waistline. The inside is more spacious, with a longer wheelbase creating extra legroom and allowing the designers to lower the height of the front seats to give drivers a more sporty feel.
Under the bonnet, a few changes are planned. The entry-level car will be the 180K and is set to use the 143bhp supercharged engine that recently de-buted in the C180K saloon. A 200K is to use the same size unit but, as with the present car, will churn out 161bhp.
Next up will be the SLK 240, using the 2.6-litre 170bhp V6 from the C and E-Class, while the 218bhp 3.2-litre unit found in the present SLK 320 is to be dropped in favour of a new 3.0-litre powerplant developing 230bhp. Also making its debut will be the SLK 350, which will have the 258bhp 3.7-litre V6 found in the SL and S-Class.
For the first time, a V8 will be shoehorned into the SLK, with the launch of a flagship AMG version. The existing SLK 32 AMG will be dropped in favour of a 55 edition, which will use the 476bhp 5.4-litre V8 from the SL. It promises a sub-five-second 0-60mph time and a top speed of 155mph. :D
A diesel version - the 320CDI - is also underway. It will be powered by the 224bhp straight-six, popularised in the C, E and S-Class. However, it may not come to the UK because of problems adapting it for right-hand drive.
But it's not only the engines that are in for a shake-up. All versions, except the SLK 55 AMG, get an all-new six-speed manual gearbox as standard, and it's said to be the firm's best non-auto ever. The AMG gets a semi-auto, with either lever or paddleshift controls.
An all-new sequential gearbox will also debut as an option. The transmission will be similar to Audi's DSG - introduced on the TT V6 - and will pre- empt ratio selection for speedier shifts than in other boxes of this type. Craig Cheetham
exactly the same pics as the latest ones on mbslk.de however...
...you can see a lot of the detail the scanning /jpegging process has lost - especially noticeable is how sculpted the boot lid deck is!!!!!
not sure i like that at all.
The interior impression is largely true to whats inside the prototypes, however i can notice a lot more aluminium accents!
I realize that this is an old thread but just throwing in my 2 cents (1 cent US).
Have been told by a very reliable source that the V6 kompressor engine is going to be replaced by a 5.5L naturally aspirated engine. Don't know if it is the same one used previously.
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