Mercedes-Benz SLK Class

Introduction:

Mobility wasn't as pleasurable an invention as it seems today, until it met the grace and innovation presented by the immortal German automaker, Mercedes-Benz. The encircled three-pointed star brand is now out with its another asset christened as Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class. The car is a compact roadster which was revealed by the company in 1996 as one of the first modern retractable hardtop convertibles. The car running in its third generation is a compact, stylish and powerful roadster, which owing to its astonishing styling and incomparable performance is expected to gain a good business in the Sri Lankan markets.

Engine, mileage and variants:

The dynamic roadstar comes with 4-petrol variants namely- the SLK 200, SLK 250, SLK 350 and the enthralling SLK 55 AMG variant, whereas one diesel engine is also on offer which is the SLK 250 CDI diesel unit. The soul injecting life in the most dynamic and athletic SLK 55 AMG variant of the car is the perfectly-engineered 5.5-Litre V8 engine. This power-mill gulps down a concentrated sip of energy and forces the pistons down dynamically to produce a maximum power output of 421hp at 6800 rpm and a rumbling torque of 540Nm at 4500 rpm. This engine in-coordination with the 7G-Tronic Plus transmission fetches the car the capability to establish a speed of 100km/h from stand-still in an enthralling 4.6 seconds. The most efficient diesel engine variant of the car features a combined fuel economy of 4.9 to 5.0 litres/100km, which buys you some extra miles.

Exterior:

With the perfectly aerodynamic and streamlined exterior nothing more than a glance is needed to fall for the car. The fluidic bonnet design of the car with the attributes like the expressive radiator grille with one silver bar and the enlarged Mercedes-Benz emblem embossed on it, the elongated headlamps with daytime running lights and the extended lower air intake gives the front look of the car a striking and eye-catching front design. The sportiness instinct of the car is revealed by its sporty rear design, which is a conduct of its functional rear spoiler, well-configured exhaust gas outlets and the stylish rear lamps. The distinctive feature of the car comes with its functionality of being converted from a roadster to a coupe in just 20 seconds with the retractable hardtop electro-hydraulic actuated system. The sleek and aerodynamic design of the roadster cum coupe is crafted upon its precise dimensions, reading- 4134mm x 1810mm x 1310mm (L x W x H) and a wheelbase of 2430, which contributes towards the stability of the roadster.

Interior:

Luxury, sportiness, comfort and convenience all capsuled to give you the delight of an open-top ride experience. The driver of the car is poured with an immensely pleasurable amount of authority in the form of the electrically adjustable leather sport seats integrated with Neck-pro head restraint, nappa leather coated multifunctional steering wheel, ergonomically designed instrument panel with a treasure of information, sports pedal cluster with rubber studs and manually adjustable steering column. All this ergonomics is complimented by the ultra-perceptible comfort, which is a product of the ultra-comfortable leather covered seats, efficient air conditioning system and Harmon Kardon Logic 7 surround-sound system. The car also features the distinctive panoramic roof, which has the Magic Sky control system for controlling the transparency, Solar Red ambient lighting and transparent pivoting draught-stop Airguide. However, being dedicated towards sports the car has a tense cargo volume, which is just enough to carry your essential belongings.

Safety, braking and miscellaneous:

The roadster surely lets you embrace its dynamics with a dependable sense of safety met by the long list of fully-functional safety features employed in the car. The feature of ESP (Electronic Stability Program) equipped in the roadster uses the instantaneous dynamic information from the sensors to maintain the preciseness of handling, which is assisted by Acceleration Skid Control system and Hill Start assist. Along with this the other safety attributes are the Brake Assist, Pre-Safe system, Attention Assist and Side-impact protection. The efficient braking system the car incorporates consists of 4-wheel disc brakes that are made to operate precisely by the Anti-lock Braking System and Electronic Braking System.

Verdict:

Unrivaled by performance, unmatched by handling, ultra-luxurious by interiors and astonishing by exteriors, the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class is surely a car that needs to be praised for its refinement and grace. However, the car features a tense cargo space.