Rough around the edges, but still competitive is how the Mercedes-Benz SLK.
As the first convertible with a folding metal roof wrote the Mercedes-Benz SLK in the mid 90-year history. Meanwhile, the little brother of the SL has arrived in the autumn of its second generation. A facelift a year ago should keep him competitive against the younger competition. It is those "formula-1-nose", was expected to be the disappearance had been accentuated by a new front bumper even more.
Both the Audi TT and the BMW Z4 are younger than the SLK. Both have disadvantages: the TT, based on the VW Golf platform is the core of his being a compact front-wheel drive - and lacks a really powerful six-cylinder. Its 3.2-liter VR6 makes only 250 hp and will soon be withdrawn from the program. BMW Z4 like turn in its second generation not any. To American-sweeping effect the folding roof coupe, the turbocharged version with 306 hp peak is quite thirsty.
Even so one should not write off the SLK, especially the curved line is pleasantly compact and get the motor program from the four-cylinder compressor is up to the 5.5-liter V8 most expectations.
We drove the SLK with that 3.5-liter V6 that makes 305 horsepower and is the Mercedes-Benz dubbed "sports engine". Actually this engine is a stopgap solution: the same size, more modern engine with direct injection (from the limousine known) does not fit in the SLK, because the package is no space for the required exhaust after-treatment is provided. For "sports engine" the engine qualifies primarily by a raised speed limit and the decidedly sporty intake sound, the traditional notions of a silky Mercedes six-cylinder can scarcely meet.
The V6 is with the in-house 7-speed automatic transmission coupled and impressed with responsiveness to the accelerator pedal. At least as encouraging is the low fuel consumption. The main competitors of the 250 km / h fast SLK 350 go with the precious essence in any case for significantly less restrained.
The suspension tuning is a successful compromise between comfort and sportiness. But it is a compromise. If you spend every spare minute imaginable on the track is likely to be a Porsche Boxster S or an Audi TT RS better served. On the other hand, the SLK offers not that typical Mercedes feeling that could be described as unemotional, comfort-oriented composure. Who to emphasis should be waiting for the new E-Class Cabriolet, which is technically based largely on the C-Class and has failed so relatively compact.
The interior is fitted with a neck ventilation system called "Airscarf" (German: air circuit) available which ermöglichst it even when its cold to drive with the roof open, without having to completely disguise. The metallic color instrumentation and a three-spoke steering wheel seek to sportiness, while the hard plastic visor of a smart entry-level version could be taken.
For the SLK 350 as "small SL" talks a lot - not least its high durability. And it is likely to not change much even if his successor is launched.
