SLK/SLC AMS - Mercedes-Benz SLK350 (TEST)

[DeDe]

Test - Mercedes-Benz SLK350

• Engine: V6, 306 hp, 370 Nm
• Drive: RWD, 7-speed-automatic gearbox
• Tyres: Pirelli P Zero
• Weight: 1540 kg
• Vmax.: 250 km/h (limited)
• 0-40 km/h: 1,7 s
• 0-100 km/h: 6,0 s
• 0-130 km/h: 9,2 s
• 0-160 km/h: 13,7 s
• 0-200 km/h: 24,6 s
• Quarter mile: 14,1 s (163 km/h)
• 18 m slalom: 64,0 km/h
• 110 m (ISO) evasive test: 128,2 km/h
• Average fuel consumption: 11,1 l/100 km
• Braking (100-0 km/h) cold/warm: 35,4 m/35,4 m
• Basic price: €52.301,-
• Price as tested: €71.850,-

Perfect for both cruising and speeding.

Rating: 5/5 stars.


In the next issue: Audi TTS vs. BMW Z4 35i & Mercedes SLK350 & Porsche Boxster S

 

[fortuner]

5/5 for the car must be a great ride....

 

[MeanAffe]

Great car, bad looks

From what I gather from having read through the article a couple of times, the new SLK must be a superb drive. Except for the V6 which, most spoiled testers say, is still not punchy enough mid-range, the ride is excellent, driving dynamics have grown closer and closer to BMW's.

I really want to like this car. It's the looks that keep me from doing so. The squarish front doesn't go together well with the rear where the lights are the biggest no-no.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

From what I gather from having read through the article a couple of times, the new SLK must be a superb drive. Except for the V6 which, most spoiled testers say, is still not punchy enough mid-range, the ride is excellent, driving dynamics have grown closer and closer to BMW's.

I really want to like this car. It's the looks that keep me from doing so. The squarish front doesn't go together well with the rear where the lights are the biggest no-no.

Why is Mercedes taking so bloody long to introduce a turbo variant of this engine??? BMW has had a massive lead in this size category for years now.

Great to see such a positive outcome otherwise.

 

[Merc1]

Do we still know that a turbo version of the 3.5L V6 is coming? I wonder where they're going to use it?


M

 

[donkeykong]

In the next issue: Audi TTS vs. BMW Z4 35i & Mercedes SLK350 & Porsche Boxster S

Should be an intresting match up,is that next month DeDe?

 

[NarutoRamen]

I must admit, that engine isn't doing this car any justice. I'm sure it will be a lot better with the new engines.

 

[Merc1]

The 3.5 V6 is a brand new engine.

M

 

[NarutoRamen]

The 3.5 V6 is a brand new engine.

M

This needs either the v8 or a FI engine, something akin to the 35i engines. But i'm sure this new V6 is very refined though. It should've been sub 6sec 0-100.

 

[hannaz]

dynamism in Merc is increasing. Hope this will be a drive force for its sales.

 

[DeDe]

Should be an intresting match up,is that next month DeDe?

No, it'll be out on 21st April.

 

[EnI]

Interesting how carmakers are rapidly gravitating to the center with their latest products.

Sure, the largest customer base is there - in the center. Wanting balanced cars - a perfect mix of comfort & dynamism. And the carmakers make what MOST of the customers want. The sales are higher, the profits are higher. Shareholders are happy, customers are happy.

Once comfy cars are getting sportier, and sporty car are getting more comfortable. All gravitating to the "perfect middle".

But where does that leave people that want "the real thing" - being it perfectly comfortable, or perfectly sporty. I guess the customers with more exotic taste are now forced to buy more expensive cars: the large comfy ones, or the sportier special editions (yet even these are getting softer). While standard variants of core models are getting more & more vanilla.

So, in the end ... What will be the key differential factor in the future? The design? The brand name?

A series of choices of almost identical products (content wise). Is that really a choice, when one can only chose form various forms but not contents?

Mainstream consumerism leads to "virtual choices". Offering a choice of non-choice.

But it works somehow. Making the majority happy. What about the unhappy middle-class minority? "F... them!", say the corporate guys, "They are not important to us!" Sure they will make a perfect car for you - but it will cost you several $100k. So, only ultrawealthy minority matters. The minority that can buy itself a happiness.

Do we have to assimilate? Do we have to comply? The resistance ... Is it really futile?

It must be very frustrating, when there are so many choices, but not a single one suits you right.

 

[MeanAffe]

Do we still know that a turbo version of the 3.5L V6 is coming? I wonder where they're going to use it?


M

The new S-Class I expect, or rather, HOPE. Currently, the S lineup no longer features a 450 (V8, 340 hp). In the wake of growing environmental concern, this is the gap where a 3.5 litre bi-turbo V6 with 350 hp or so could fit in perfectly.

 

[bum-man]

So I guess the rumors of the weight coming down where false. It's around 70 lbs heavier than the 2010 SLK350. Too bad, I'm curious if they will be able to keep the weight down in the SLK55??

 

[DeDe]

Datapanel-scan

 

[Sunny]

Slower than even the old one...