The all-new SLK-Class, one of the most exciting and successful sports cars ever built, is entering its third generation. The 2012MY roadster takes driving pleasure and open-air enjoyment to the next level by blending nimble handling with stylish comfort, striking sports-car design, everyday drivability, top performance and exemplary efficiency. Exemplary efficiency and athletic flair come courtesy of powerful new 4 and 6-cylinder engines With superb levels of performance, they are more fuel efficient than their predecessors and with unique new safety equipment the 2012 SLK-Class sets the new standard in this §egmènt. With its wealth of technical innovations, the SLK is once again the benchmark in its class. The 2012 SLK-Class goes on-sale in the Ú.S. this summer.

Innovations are part of the successful history of the Mercedes-Benz SLK:

•In 1996, the first generation caused a sensation with the vario-roof, which transformed the wide-open roadster into a fixed-roof coupe at the touch of a button in just a few seconds.
•The second generation placed the warm AIRSCARF around the neck and shoulders of the occupants as needed, ensuring open-top enjoyment even in cooler temperatures.
•Now the third generation presents a unique highlight – the world premiere of the panorama vario-roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL, which can be quickly switched to light or dark transparency at the touch of a button.
The new Mercedes-Benz SLK unites premium comfort and high-quality equipment and appointments with an especially athletic flair. At the same time the new roadster is the most fuel efficient in its class matched with §egmènt-leading safety. All-weather driving enjoyment – open or closed, during weekends or the daily commute – is firmly anchored in the SLK’s genes.

Interior with style

To achieve this, the designers have developed interior appointments that offer the driver and passenger the highest degree of quality and pure precision. The interior is characterized by stylish sportiness and genuine high-quality materials which have been processed with perfect precision and skilled craftsmanship. The SLK’s generous round dials are astride a display for the onboard computer. The color display for the communications and entertainment functions is housed in the center of the dashboard, and is easily read by both the driver and passenger.

Other high-quality pieces of equipment include a multifunction sports §teering wheel with a flattened bottom section and a thick leather crown, plus available sun-reflecting leather that noticeably reduces seat temperature, ambient lighting.

MAGIC SKY CONTROL

•The standard version is a roof painted in the vehicle color.
•Optionally available is a panorama vario-roof with dark-tinted glass.
•The third option is a world premiere – the panorama vario-roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL. This glass roof switches to light or dark at the press of a button. In light mode it is virtually transparent, offering an open-air experience even in cold weather. In its dark state the roof provides welcome shade and prevents the interior from heating up from
the sun’s rays. In other words: a comfortable atmosphere at the touch of a button.

Spirit and efficiency

There will be two models of the 2012 SLK available in its first year, both powered by direct-injection engines. The completely redesigned V6 engine in the SLK350 develops 302 hp from its 3498 cubic-centimeter displacement, using this power to accelerate in 5.4 (est.) seconds from 0 to 60 mph (top speed 155 mph). Its fuel Later on in the model year, the SLK250 goes on-sale with a four-cylinder engine developing 201 hp from a displacement of 1796 cubic centimeters.

The SLK250 is equipped as standard with a 6-speed manual transmission and consumes an estimated 27 mpg (combined). From a standstill it reaches 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, and it has a top speed of 155 mph.