SLK/SLC-Class (R172) [Official] Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class

[BlaZain]

I liked the previous two generations of the SLK, especially the first gen. This seems to be returning to that models overall boxy styling until you get to the second half of the car. Where it looks the designers said - we fancy ourselves a little Porsche Boxster. Also needs the AMG kit to semi redeem itself

This to me this makes the exterior styling incoherent - its almost like two separately designed cars were fused together in the middle.

Where this car shines is the interior - how can you go wrong when you transplant the SLS interior. Tech is predictably innovative.

I really hope the new SL is not as over styled as some of MB's latest cars such as the CLS and the new SLK......

Overall first impression: Disappointed - but not surprised i'm disappointed.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

I imagine that the new SLK will be a very suitable automobile for those who are seeking a replacement for their current series I and II SLKs'. It is difficult for me to envisage BMW Z4, Audi TT or Porsche Boxster/Cayman owners flocking to their local M-B dealership in eager anticipation, waving their checkbooks.

IMHO, the new SLK is a pretty car. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[tennmb]

The same concerns I had under disquise still concern me now. Headlights are too big, evoking an Asian look. Euro cars should have trim headlamps. If they had stopped them where the eyebrow part inside the housing begins, they'd look perfect. They also take away from the large upright grille. The headlights should sit lower and into the body, and more in line with the lower an upper limits of the grille. The taillamps look great and would h

The front hood being so huge already with the upright grill needs to be trimmed where it meets the A-pillar. This is where the Z4's execution is perfect. MB could have borrowed the idea of sculpting the front fenders into the hood thus taking out some of the weight. just too bloated looking where the A pillar and front fenders begin. The area above the side vent. The side vent actually helps to lessen this effect. If you follow the angle of the hood coming up from the nose to the a-pillar, and then let's say you continued this line towards the back of the car, it would be up to the top of the head rest. When people see lines, they envision where they would go. And this is the main line that I can't resolve in the design. Also, it is conpletely contradictory to the very nice arch above the wheels on the rear quarter panels.

Not crazy about the wide open grille. Looks unfinished. Sadly the AMG bumper is just looking old.

The interior is just a knock off of the SLS which is wrong in a number of ways. For one, it isn't very interesting. The door panels and seats do look nice, but I hate round vents.

Each Mercedes, although it should be instantly recognizable as a Benz, should not be just a hodge podge of elements thrown in from existing vehicles. You absolutley want to keep a language and continuity through the brand. But there is a real magic in doing this, yet keeping it fresh. Obviously MB lacks this identity in its brand at this time. It is searching for its new identity and confusing it at the same time. It is far too costly and time consuming to get it wrong. I see this most in the new E, where that car could have been so much more, if they had not tried to intergrate the rear wheel arch.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Wow...Mercedes can't seem to please folks worth nothing.

If they add lines on the side and fenders folks get upset. Then they go back to regular elegant designs that then folks get upset.

Amazing! I'm not even a Mercedes-Benz designer, but even I am getting annoyed by some of the comments.

BTW...I love this photo!

 

[Tarek]

LOVE it! for the first i can see myself inside an SLK.Looks masculine and mean and totally burns the hairdresser image of the previous generations.

The AMG packed one is out right gorgeous and the interior is EASILY best in segment.

Bid thumbs up from me here.

 

[Nicks]

If they add lines on the side and fenders folks get upset. Then they go back to regular elegant designs that then folks get upset.

As i mentioned i'm not a fan of that design, but i completely agree with you.

New E-class looks nothing like previous - "oh no, get back to classical design, this is so unMB"
New Slk looks a bit like previous - "oh no, this is so boring and basicly the old car"

 

[braaf]

AMG kit saves this car, but really loving that interior.

 

[DaSilva]

I see a wicked mix of SLS and S.Moss This little car looks amazing!
This will easy be the most wanted car for the blone girls around the world... (if they fck a old man)

(BTW, this is such a big change the TT needs to convert to R8 design)

I really like it... Creds to Mercedes (my first car was a merc, good brand)

 

[SCOTT27]

They were shooting this car at the same time we were shooting the BMW 6er Convertible. I am surprised that they did not show it in Detroit? I would have thought that like the BMW 6er Convertible it would be the USA which would be the largest market for the SLK?

However the previous car also debuted in Geneva, back in 2004.

 

[Jabba]

Uuuuuhhhh,
don´t know... the front is a mess, suprisingly i like the back (though the light looks like the c-class already used).

But i agree with many of you:
No ideas, nothing fresh. In fact, i see the 1. gen SLK, SLS, CLS, SL and C... put in a mixer and look whats left: Yes, the 3. gen SLK...

I hope, they do better on the forthcoming big one: the SL

Jabba (keeping fingers crossed for a nice new SL *pleasepleasenotanotherSLSlokkalikePLEEEAAASE!*)

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Mercedes-Benz offers start/stop on all 2012 European SLK models, none to America

Mercedes-Benz has decided that not everyone wants the same features on their new SLK. Sure, the new Magic Sky Control retractable roof is a marquee feature for Europe and the U.S., but the same can't be said for the efficiency-enhancing ECO start-stop technology. All European roadster models will be available with start-stop, but a MBUSA spokesperson told AutoblogGreen that, "The SLK350, which will arrive in the U.S. this summer, will not have it." So, how much will this change affect overall efficiency?

There will be European SLK models: the SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY, SLK 250 BlueEFFICIENCY and the SLK 350 BlueEFFICIENCY. The first two use four-cylinder engines, while the 350 uses a V6. The cleanest version (the 200) emits 142 grams of CO2 per kilometer when paired with the optional seven-speed automatic transmission. That's 38.5 miles per gallon. The 250 is right behind at 37.9 mpg, while the 350 sucks down gas at a rate of 33 mpg (these are all on the European NEDC combined cycle).

In the U.S., the SLK will launch with the 350, which uses 3.5-liter V6 good for an estimated 23 mpg from the EPA. The four-cylinder 250 follows later and should get an estimated 27 mpg (combined). Some of the difference in these numbers comes from the different testing measures, but there's no question that if Mercedes saw fit to bring start-stop to the America-bound SLKs, they'd be cleaner machines. Mercedes CEO Dieter Zetsche has said his company, "want to be efficiency world champions ... and we will be," but apparently this sort of logical technology inclusion doesn't fit the company's plans.

- Mercedes-Benz offers start/stop on all 2012 European SLK models, none to America — Autoblog Green

 

[bum-man]

Any release on weight? I'm truly wondering if they were able to reduce it this generation despite all the extras.

 

[bmer]

As many others have commented, it looks unsurprising. However, I probably see it more positively than many others. I liked the last generation more than the original SLK which I think was not worth the star on the front. It represented the Schrempp era (just like 1st generation ML) charaterized by fierce cost-cutting which inevitably resulted mediocre quality.
I wasn't a big fan of the convex & bulbous fish-eye like front lights on the previous SLK. So exterior-wise, I think this is definitely an improvement even if the rear lights especially are very un-MB-like. The interior on the other hand was more unique in the previous model. I don't like the fact that they've borrowed so much from the SLS interior. Nevertheless I think this will be a success in the sales charts.

LOVE it! for the first i can see myself inside an SLK.Looks masculine and mean and totally burns the hairdresser image of the previous generations.

I don't think you can say it has lost much of the "hairdresser image" as all small roadsters have it, at least to some extent, including the Boxster and Z4.

 

[martinbo]

Ok, so I've had another good look and come to an interesting conclusion. In my opinion the new SLK, like the Z4, looks better (more elegant, sleeker) with the standard bumper kit vs. the sport bumper kit which is too boxy relative to the curvaceous sheet metal.

Lovely car, really... a worthy competitor to the Z4 for sure.

 

[Tarek]

I don't think you can say it has lost much of the "hairdresser image" as all small roadsters have it, at least to some extent, including the Boxster and Z4.

Well i think we can all agree on that this gen SLK has lost most of hairdresser image associated with this type of cars.The styling is just bolder this time.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

^It really has. I hope it's performance is good too.

 

[martinbo]

Nah, it's still a haidresser's car.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Nah, it's still a haidresser's car.

Lol...Well at least they tried to get out then.

 

[Tarek]

^Lol..well a straight hairdresser then..if such a guy existed.

 

[Shining Star]

Take a look at this video; look at those seats!