On another note I don't want people to think that I bought an SLK just because I couldn't have an SLS. They're two totally different cars. I've driven an SLS... and although it was super sporty and a totally cool car it's not necessarily what I want. (especially with the sports seats). I think the new SLK might be ok in the right colour combo. It would have just been nice if it had been slightly more unique.
Sovereign and K-A...I agree. It's great to try and get the younger crowd, but then why not develop your sh!t just for them. Unlike other brands, MB doesn't have an issue with brand identity. That big ass star on the front lets EVERYONE know what you're driving. So a little differentiation would go a LONG way. Yeah, you got a point there. I've heard stuff like that when it comes to Porsche, especially. I've overheard so many times about the person who drives the boxster: "he probably couldn't afford a proper 911 so bought this instead."
No Start button on the new slk? Is it just me or that ugly draft stop plastic thing looks...well, ugly? I thing what defines a car are his exterior lines, handling and dynamics...so far, we have zero information on handling and dynamics---very disappointing and sad thus far. I hope they skip the AMG version and they go directly into a SLK AMG Black Series straight away---now that would be cool !:t-drive:
Don't worry; it'll definetely be there as an option. The prototype in the video may not have had keyless-go, or I believe you can remove the start button.
Mercedes-Benz-Passion Blog gives us some new info: Translated from Google. Interesting news; especially about the launch date. So if I have this right, the SLK will be unveiled in the 2nd week of January, with orders starting on the 17th. The live presentation will then take place on January 29th, at Mercedes-Benz's 125th birthday party.
Makes sense, as according to our order guide, there are no 2011 SLKs in production, which means they are already gearing up for the 2012.
Why do i get the FEELING from this picture that the design inspiration for this car came from here.........
^ lOl, thats the new European front bumper laws. The nose has to be beefier and somewhat flat. I think the new design is very handsome, much more grown up than the outgoing model. So far it`s a thumbs up from GTA8.5! :emthup:
Mercedes should be on fire by late summer, C FL, C Coupe, SLK, ML and then the SLS Roadster and the new FWD models. Pray to god that they don't all look like little ice cream trucks. The E and S model should be getting the new generation V8 and V8 engines too for 2012. Mercedes should put up some record sales numbers this year with all the new product + an improving economy. M
Lets hope Mercedes benz will be on "fire" for the right reasons. So far they have done a poor job on promoting the SLK with that french piece first and then with that horrible scripted cheap acting stunt by Niko R and their chief engineer for the SLK. Mercedes Benz is really NOT paying attention to the power of youtube and the influence it can have for not only present customers but also potential customers- So far they are not making themselves any favors. The SLK without the AMG looks well......... bad. (to put it nicely)
Well, they don't really have to promote the car yet, seeing as it has yet to be unveiled. And I'm sure that it being unveiled in the midst of the 125 year celebration will be good for promotion, not to mention rumors that the SLK may get a super bowl commercial. Present and potential customers can wait until the unveiling in two weeks. Also, don't put too much faith into these patent leaks; no car looks good in black and white, grainy photos, some with light-blue hues. :t-cheers:
You are kidding right? The car leaked out, which means it isn't being "promoted" at all, it isn't supposed to be. M
Do you really think MB will let a piece of video that long leaked out?? We are talking about MB here. These companies will not leak out anything of such an importance--well unless the SLK is not of that much importance to them...which by the lack of attention to the new/facelift does seem to raise some questions to ponder. And you forgot to mention that sorry demo by Nico and engineer driving around Canes!!! of all places (guess was just only a "demo") using a "prototype"--heard them all. Does it look still to you that MB is taking the SLK seriously? So far it does not look good. Last comment: why no news about dynamics and handling??? This car will be release here in Europe shortly and not a word about its performance. So far its just a sort of pretty shell...with some fancy lights.
The french promo video was leaked not by MB, but by an agency that made the video for MB (just take a look at the minutes/seconds frame at the base of the video). Mercedes also had the original video taken down from YouTube about an hour after the leak. If the leak were intentional, would this happen? Mercedes's leaks usually happen within two weeks of an unveil; while this leak happened a good month and 1/2 before the release date. The demo with Nico is simply a teaser, a way of showing some of the SLK's new features without showing off all of the design. Just because Mercedes isn't spilling out info left and right before the SLK's release does not mean that it is not being taken seriously. This car has gone through years of testing and development. Of course it is being taken seriously.
I know it was not leaked by MB--what I found strange is that MB did not mentioned anything about the incident and not mention of charges to the Parisian Co. that did this video. MB knew once this video was "leaked" there was not stopping it. In my opinion, there was no need for a "teaser" after the overwhelming information already presented in the "leaked" video and internet and in this forum and countless other sites. Anyhow, I hope you are right Shining Star. I just fear we will get more of the same ol' stuff--except with a few new buttons to push. As an owner of an SLK55 I am placing my hopes on the AMG version. The 422 HP certainly does not make me a happy camper--but we will see... :t-drive:
New '55 may be a firecracker yet... Hey, I share the pain over the '72 - not what the Doctor ordered but then either is the SLS. It's just not our time - BM's turn to have all the sex appeal (Z4, new 5, X6, Efficient Dynamics cool-machine). Was ours through the Bangle era hands down.. A thought for you all - the new '55 has a 422hp non-turbo version of the new AMG 5.5L twin-turbo that has just debuted in the new CLS63AMG. (AMG told me when I dropped by in July). That's a 17% increase in power - if torque does the same that would come in just under 600Nm people...let's be realistic and say 550Nm for this exercise. They also mentioned a projected weight 100kg less than current car... Are you thinking what I'm thinking? R171 SLK55AMG 360hp 510Nm 1485kg (as per my rego sticker) Power-Weight 4.125kg/hp Torque-Weight 2.9kg/Nm R172 SLK55AMG 422hp ?550Nm ?1385kg Power-Weight 3.282kg/hp Torque-Weight 2.52kg/Nm So - Power-Weight improves by a blinding 25% and Torque-Weight by 15%. that's like an R171 '55 with 450hp and 587Nm...but it doesn't end there... Check this: SLS AMG 571hp 650Nm 1620kg Power-Weight 2.837kg/hp Torque-Weight 2.49kg/Nm Torque-Weight is ONE PERCENT DIFFERENT FROM AN SLS AMG! (assuming 550Nm from new motor - may even beat it). R172 will have the MCT 7-speed box - meaning less transmission loss and it will have Launch Control. We are talking a potential MONSTER in brown paper wrapping boys & girls. If it can get the power down it's hard to see it do anything above 4.2s to 100kmh and quarter-miles in the mid 11's. Interesting enough now? Anything that fast with a folding roof and a 3-pointed star at this price I'm buying - whatever it looks like! JD Sydney Australia
