MERCEDES-BENZ
Sneak preview for SLK
An innovative roof would boost the new SLK's appeal when it arrives in Thailand early next year.
Haven't I seen this spy shots before?
You certainly may have. But this time, these pictures are official handouts from Mercedes-Benz of the all-new SLK due for launch at the Detroit or Geneva motor show early next year.
The Stuttgart boys want to tell the market that their third-generation entry-level roadster is undergoing stringent durability tests in Death Valley, California, where temperatures can rise to as as high as 50C.
Why's that so?
Because if you look at the accompanying pictures, there's a new roof called Magic Sky Control. Apart from the three-piece hard-top that can be retracted for open-air driving, there's a glass-top that can be either darkened or brightened via a switch inside the car.
At the moment, there is no roadster in this class _ be it BMW Z4 _ to feature such a transparent roof which Mercedes freely says will be a 2,000 (some B84,000) option when the SLK goes on sale before mid-2011.
Will the burning sensation be the same as roof down?
Mercedes stresses that the glass-top is dark in normal mode to keep the cabin temperature at a comfortable level. Pressing that switch, the roof becomes clear like in a regular glass surface, albeit UV and infared lights are blocked. That means you can leave your SPF50 sunscreen at home.
The basis of such operation is based on the physics of plate condenser, according to Mercedes, whereby if a glass structure is subjected to electrical voltage, particles in the structure position themselves such that light is able to pass through the glass. If the voltage remains switched off, however, the particles position themselves randomly. This partially blocks the light, and the glass remains dark.
Cool. What kind of power is the SLK getting?
Mercedes isn't talking about the SLK's technical credentials yet. But here are the obvious options.
The SLK350, for a start, should get a 3.5-litre V6 with an improved 305hp. On the four-cylinder front, there would be the 1.8-litre turbo replacing the supercharged variation (imagine such a popular roadster being the last Merc to ditch that Kompressor unit).
Like other Mercs using the latest turbo-petrol, the SLK250 should churn out 204hp. Later in the product's lifecycle should appear the SLK200 with 184hp to chase for more sales lower down the price range.
Rumours have also emerged about the SLK getting diesel power for the first time in the guise of SLK250 CDI using a 204hp 2.1-litre turbo-diesel.
All engines, hopefully, will see a seven-speed automatic. The first Merc with four-pot power to get the seven-speeder is the S250 CDI launched in Europe last month.
SLK hot-weather testing in Death Valley.
What about the mean ones?
If you mean the AMG versions, then things are still a little vague. There have been suggestions on the internet ranging from the old 6.2-litre normally aspirated V8 to a twin-turbo version of the V6.
Whatever the engine, expect the maddest SLK to have at least 400hp at its disposal to keep the power race on and ahead of the Z4, Porsche Boxster and Audi TT RS.
Hope it's going to remain better-looking that its rivals...
We certainly hope so, because the current SLK is still a looker. And let's not forget that looks ultimately sell in roadsters, which is why these spy shots confirm that the new SLK should get the prominent grille as used in the SLS AMG supercar.
In fact, Mercedes tried to associate today's SLK with the defunct SLR; with the new SLK, it would be paired with the SLS.
Remember, Motoring reported earlier that one grey market dealer here had already received over 20 orders for the new SLK; this was when it hadn't even been revealed in full yet. It shows the confidence potential buyers have in the SLK's styling.
Credit: Bangkok Post
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