Look closely for the changes on this one.
Debuting in Detroit is Mercedes’ 2009 SLK-class. Don’t get too worked up; this is merely a midcycle refresh that might only be recognized by Benz worshippers and SLK owners.
The exterior changes are exceedingly minor and primarily limited to the plastic front and rear fascias. The biggest change is up front. The snout has been redesigned to look more like the McLaren Formula 1 race car. A cleft air dam mimics the front wing of the F1 car, with new headlights rounding out the changes.
On your way to the rear of the SLK, you might notice the new, larger external mirrors (we told you this was minor stuff). In back, the rear bumper is more sculpted and adds a mock diffuser with larger exhaust tips.
Inside the two-seater are new gauge faces and a new three-spoke steering wheel, and the choices of textures and colors in the dashboard have been streamlined. An updated navigation system with voice-command recognition rounds out the changes.
Fortunately, the ’09 SLK receives a more serious mechanical update. Under the hood of the SLK350 is a direct-injection version of the previous 3.5-liter V-6. The compression ratio jumps to 12.2:1, the redline rises to 7200 rpm, and horsepower jumps from 268 to 301. Mercedes even claims the more powerful engine improves fuel economy by 10 percent. The last SLK350 we tested ran from 0 to 60 in 5.4 seconds. The additional 33 horses should knock a few 10ths off that time.
A new option called direct steering (standard on the SLK55 AMG) will be offered and adds a small transmission into the steering system that changes the ratio depending on steering angle—this is different from BMW’s active-steering system, which changes the ratio depending on steering angle and vehicle speed.
In Europe, a 311-hp version of the new direct-injection V-6 will be available in the not-coming-to-America SL350. The 301-hp version of the V-6 will eventually make its way under the hoods of the E350, CLK350, C350, R350, and ML350 in the next couple of years.
For Pricing, Specs, and Reviews of the Mercedes-Benz SLK-class, click here for our buyer’s guide.
SOURCE:caranddriver.com
Debuting in Detroit is Mercedes’ 2009 SLK-class. Don’t get too worked up; this is merely a midcycle refresh that might only be recognized by Benz worshippers and SLK owners.
The exterior changes are exceedingly minor and primarily limited to the plastic front and rear fascias. The biggest change is up front. The snout has been redesigned to look more like the McLaren Formula 1 race car. A cleft air dam mimics the front wing of the F1 car, with new headlights rounding out the changes.
On your way to the rear of the SLK, you might notice the new, larger external mirrors (we told you this was minor stuff). In back, the rear bumper is more sculpted and adds a mock diffuser with larger exhaust tips.
Inside the two-seater are new gauge faces and a new three-spoke steering wheel, and the choices of textures and colors in the dashboard have been streamlined. An updated navigation system with voice-command recognition rounds out the changes.
Fortunately, the ’09 SLK receives a more serious mechanical update. Under the hood of the SLK350 is a direct-injection version of the previous 3.5-liter V-6. The compression ratio jumps to 12.2:1, the redline rises to 7200 rpm, and horsepower jumps from 268 to 301. Mercedes even claims the more powerful engine improves fuel economy by 10 percent. The last SLK350 we tested ran from 0 to 60 in 5.4 seconds. The additional 33 horses should knock a few 10ths off that time.
A new option called direct steering (standard on the SLK55 AMG) will be offered and adds a small transmission into the steering system that changes the ratio depending on steering angle—this is different from BMW’s active-steering system, which changes the ratio depending on steering angle and vehicle speed.
In Europe, a 311-hp version of the new direct-injection V-6 will be available in the not-coming-to-America SL350. The 301-hp version of the V-6 will eventually make its way under the hoods of the E350, CLK350, C350, R350, and ML350 in the next couple of years.
For Pricing, Specs, and Reviews of the Mercedes-Benz SLK-class, click here for our buyer’s guide.
SOURCE:caranddriver.com
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