The hardtop lowers in a trice, but cuts trunk space by two-thirds, to little more than three cubic feet below a pull-out vinyl cover. Controls are conveniently laid out, but we’ve been dismayed by door windows that don’t quite lower all the way, leaving a half-inch ridge of glass. Gauges are “retro” stylish, informative, and very readable. Even so, 6-footers won’t complain in either seat, both of which are firm and comfortable for long drives. Those tires also make for a thumpy roar over expansion joints and broken pavement, but big ruts and bumps are smothered quite well.Įntry/exit is tricky, with the low-slung build. Road rumble is prominent, except on glassy asphalt–a penalty of the car’s aggressive tires. Wind noise is modest, with the top and windows raised. Exhaust sound is audible too, but things settle down to a low hum at cruising speeds. Though smooth for a four, the engine emits an unbecoming, coarse growl when worked hard. Even if that 5-speed does not shift as crisply as some, it does make the car feel more sporty. Expect 17-18 mpg in city/suburban driving with a light right foot.ĭespite having a long first-to-second shift “throw” and a rubbery feel, the manual gearbox made available in 1999 gives the SLK stronger sports-car credibility. We averaged nearly 24 mpg in fast highway driving. The automatic transmission furnishes the right gear for most occasions, and smooth, generally prompt shift action. Midrange power is strong and satisfying, but in some situations, you get a lag between flooring the throttle and feeling extra thrust–a delay that can be frustrating in city driving.
The SLK230 takes 8.4 and can feel sleepy, though it goes well once its supercharger starts delivering. Test manual SLK320 ran 0-60 mph in brisk 7.4 sec. It includes 17-inch wheels, Nappa leather sport seats and roll bar, exterior chrome accents, and a body-colored grille.Īcceleration off the line is a bit leisurely, but speed gathers quickly once the supercharger hits full puff, at about 3000 rpm. The Sport package option for the SLK230 and 320 now mimicked the SLK32’s lower-body aero trim, wheels, and projector-beam fog lamps.Ī special-edition package was made available in 2004 for the SLK230 and the SLK320. The SLK230 gained 5 horsepower and standard 6-speed manual transmission this year.Ī new SLK32 AMG had a supercharged version of the V6, plus modifications to suspension, transmission, bodywork, and interior by Mercedes’ AMG performance team.
The SLK320 with a 215-hp V6 engine was added to the lineup in 2001. Mercedes’ “Brake Assist” feature became standard, automatically providing full braking force in emergency stops.Įxcept for the addition of free scheduled maintenance to the SLK’s warranty coverage, nothing was new this year. A Sport package also joined the options list, including “aero” lower-body cladding and performance tires on 17-inch wheels instead of the usual 16-inchers. Rivals included the BMW Z3, Chevrolet Corvette, and Porsche Boxster.Ī 5-speed manual transmission became standard this year, and the previously standard automatic transmission was now an option. A “BabySmart” feature automatically deactivated the right-side airbags when a special Mercedes child seat was installed. Standard features included door-mounted side airbags, antilock brakes, and traction control. Only a 5-speed automatic transmission was offered. A “Kompressor” badge on the front fenders indicated the presence of the supercharged engine. Surprisingly, design work on the SLK stemmed from the compact C-Class sedan. In German, SLK stands for sporty, light, and compact. This was Mercedes’s answer to the “retro roadster” craze that began with the Mazda Miata and was later picked up by the BMW Z3 and Porsche Boxster. The trunklid opened forward for cargo, and tilted from the rear to raise or lower the top–a task that took about 25 seconds. Instead of a soft top, however, the SLK230 had a metal roof that powered down into the trunk for stowage, at the touch of a button. Mercedes-Benz had something different on tap for 1998: a 2-passenger sports car with a supercharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine.
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