I’ve had two chances to drive the SLS AMG and on both occasions, fortune hasn’t been on my side. That gull-winged beauty was with us as our long-termer for a whole month, but I never got a look-in. And I missed out again during our Car of the Year shoot in Yas Marina last year. There was a queue longer than the track to get into the cockpit and ram the loud pedal through the footwell. Missing out on burying the throttle in that 6.2-litre V8 was akin to losing a winning lottery ticket…
But, good things come to those who wait. And, it’s come to me in the form of the new-for-2012 SLK350. Sure, it isn’t as brutal as the SLS AMG. A quick look at its vitals tells you that without you even sticking it into Drive. There’s a V6 under the bonnet for a start. Not my favourite configuration, I’ll openly admit. In my experience, six-pots not only lack power, but always emit a dull, pathetic drone from the exhaust tips rather than a hearty roar of a V8. But, this snarling, new SLK has changed it all.
Girly car no more
Aimed at the fairer sex when it was launched back in 1996, hairy-chested blokes wouldn’t be seen anywhere near an SLK. Then, the 2005 makeover saw it sprout a nose similar to that of the achingly beautiful McLaren SLR. This was, of course, a very good thing. Sales rocketed and it was now socially acceptable for guys to be behind the wheel. And now, with this third-generation model, there is bound to be a massive scramble from men and women alike for one because, now, this is a properly good roadster. It’s followed the same route as the second-gen car by taking the nose of its bigger, better-looking brother. In this case, the front end comes directly from the aforementioned SLS. Looks are everything to some people, so adding the hooter from the SLS to the SLK is a master stroke... or so you’d have thought. It must have been a fabulous idea... on paper. In reality, and even though this is one of the most aggressive and dramatic front ends seen on any car in years, it just doesn’t sit well on the smaller SLK, measuring 4,135mm long, 1,811mm wide and 1,300mm high, no matter which angle you cast your eyes upon it. It looks like a kid wearing dad’s shoes.
But, this is the only negative remark I have about this Merc, which is very much a mini version of the SLS supercar. I love how the bonnet slopes over the grille, its sharper curves and muscular fenders. It is more pumped than before but the body isn’t the only thing that’s benefited from a Schwarzenegger-style workout.
Motor mouth
This SLK is a blast in every sense of the word. I have a penchant for V8s but if they all made V6s like Mercedes, you certainly wouldn’t catch me complaining. For a start, this motor sounds like a throaty V8, which is enough to qualify me as a fan of it. But, lo and behold, it even performs like one. In the past, calling an SLK a sportscar would earn you a clip around the ears. But not any more. This one has come along adamant to buck that trend and it jolly well has. No, it isn’t as bonkers as, say, a Boxster. The SLK has always been a little more laid-back than that, however, just wait for the AMG boys to turn it up a notch. For now, its all-new 3.5-litre V6 provides all the grunt you want and dispels any of that ‘chick car’ nonsense. With plenty of room in the bay for the future addition of a turbo,
the stock unit, equipped with direct fuel injection, produces 306bhp at 6,500rpm, reaches 0-100kph in just 5.6 seconds and has a limited top speed of 250kph. You really don’t require any more than that for your everyday needs. It isn’t hardcore and this is exactly what makes it so appealing.
It has bags of performance when you need it but it’s also sedate as they come, which makes daily driving a pleasure. It doesn’t demand you wring its neck every time you hop in. But, driving it foot-floored is my preference and this suits the nippy Merc just fine. With confidence-inspiring torque vectoring brakes (part of the Dynamic Handling package our test car came with), superb grip into corners and crisp steering with plenty of feedback, not to mention the low seating position, it all makes for
a properly thrilling ride.
Granted, it’s softer than an AMG model in every way, but this still digs its heels in and does its level-headed best to impress. Mated to a seven-speed automatic, with paddle shifters behind the flat-bottomed SLS-inspired steering, it swaps cogs effortlessly and never goes hunting for gears when in Sport. With three modes to choose from, including the default Eco, you’ll never really switch it out of Manual. With this selected, you can hold onto the gears longer before shifting, thus getting the most out of the boisterous V6. In Eco mode, I was flung about each time I touched the throttle. The high-revving motor and tranny were caught in a heated exchange rather than getting on like best buddies as they do in Sport and Manual.
Creature comforts
It’s easy to settle into the SLK’s neat cabin, which has done away with the shiny plastic on the previous model. Now, you get a far more modern and elegant interior with plenty of cues from the SLS, such as the air vents, that steering and the door handles. It even boasts more shoulder room for both driver and passenger, but I still felt a little squashed in there. The leather grey seats and Harman Kardon audio system brought more quality to the proceedings but its best trick is the convertible roof. It takes just 20 seconds to transform from a driving machine to a tanning machine. With the roof stowed, noise and buffeting are minimal at best and you don’t need lungs like Pavarotti’s to be heard. Even with the top in place, you don’t get much wind noise or any rattle or creaks that you usually associate roadsters with.
On the safety front, it includes eight airbags and an Attention Assist system as standard, while going crazy on the options list can see you benefit with the likes of an AMG Appearance package to give your SLK a more aggressive look and Airscarf, which keeps your neck warm if you’re foolish enough to drop the top when it’s freezing out.
Verdict
The SLK has been around for 15 years but it’s only now that you can take it really seriously. That’s partly thanks to the SLS, from which it borrows heavily in terms of looks, to the all-new powerplant sitting under the sculpted bonnet and that rip-roaring soundtrack to boot. There’s certainly no shame in having your car mistaken for the hottest set of wheels on the road, but this SLK deserves praise for being one of the best roadsters out there. And since it’s aimed at a wider audience, you can bet your bottom dirham you’ll be seeing quite a lot of them.
So, before you go splashing your life savings on an SLS, give the SLK some serious thought. You won’t be disappointed. And you won’t be breaking the bank either.
Specs & ratings
- Model SLK 350
- Engine 3.5-litre V6
- Transmission Seven-speed automatic
- Max power 306bhp @ 6,500rpm
- Max torque 370Nm @ 3,800rpm
- Top speed 250kph (limited)
- 0-100kph 5.6sec
- Price Dh249,000
