Mercedes Benz

SLK-Class (incl AMG)

Guaranteed to stand out in any crowded car park, the beautifully-designed Mercedes SLK-Class is brimming with sleek and sophisticated design technology and delivers a drive that will never be forgotten. The spec level is excellent as are the safety features too.

Test Drive

Mercedes SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY

If you really want to put the fun factor back into driving then Mercedes may have the perfect solution – the stunning SLK.

For this two-seater oozes quality and delivers a driving performance that you won’t forget in a hurry.

Guaranteed to impress all onlookers, the beautifully streamlined SLK looks amazing from any angle with its rugged shoulders, twin chrome tailpipes, tinted windows, LED daytime running lights and 17-inch alloys.

And you simply cannot fail to be impressed once you take you seat – heated and leather – behind the multi-function steering wheel.

The build quality is of the highest standard and the level of on-board technology also impresses with a superb audio system, 6-CD player, surround sound via 11 speakers, sat nav, ambient lighting and plenty more besides.

The hard top roof can be raised or lowered in a matter of seconds at the press of a button and there are even neck level heaters to help beat off the chill.

The SLK is also very competitively priced – the test model started out at £29.9k, but increased to £38.3k with optional extras fitted.

But for me, this car is all about performance and how it loves to perform!

If a few rays of sunshine break through the clouds, the roof is lowered in an instant and its wind-in-the-hair driving at its very best.

The 1.8-litre petrol engine delivers plenty of power and the acceleration through the six-speed manual transmission is smooth and responsive.

If you have an eye on economy, there is an ECO drive option and the driver is prompted to make shift changes at the most efficient times.

Road-holding is excellent and with the roof down it does feel faster than it actually is.

Most bumps and dips are felt, but that also adds to the SLK’s appeal.

With the roof raised, the whole driving dynamics seem to change with a much calmer, quieter and refined experience.

The all-round visibility is pretty good for a low-seated convertible and despite the boot space being limited to house the roof at times, it can easily accommodate a couple of small cases.

Safety features are comprehensive and include anti-lock brakes, numerous airbags, electronic stability programme, acceleration skid control, roll-over protection and lots more.

All in all, the SLK looks fantastic, handles brilliantly and will certainly keep you smiling come rain or shine.

Test Drive

Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 Kompressor 2LOOK

Despite having the privilege of driving some truly beautifully crafted vehicles, it’s not that often a bystander makes a comment about one.

Well, that was the case until I took charge of the Mercedes-Benz SLK roadster which drew attention from neighbours who claimed it was “my best yet” and a young lad at a garage who probably murmured his first words in years “nice car”.

I thanked him and neglected to mention the fact that it was only mine for the seven-day loan and that I would be handing back the keys in a rather begrudging manner in a short while.

All this attention is down to the fact that somehow Mercedes has managed to combine the perfect mix of power, performance, road-holding, creature comforts and head-turning good looks into one very attractive package that has a price tag that surprised me too.

I imagined this little beauty to be tipping the £45k scale, but with all the trimmings it came in at £35k – still pricey, but a whole lot of car for the outlay and you are guaranteed to get your money‘s worth of fun.

It’s a fact, you won’t spot many SLKs on the school run and it’s not really geared towards the economically-driven business driver either, but it is perfect for the driver who enjoys the finer things in life and lives life to the full.

The SLK is crammed with creature comforts and you cannot fail to be impressed with the quality of build both inside and out. The soft nappa leather seats and trimmings ooze quality and there are class-leading specifications at every turn from the tinted glass and six-disc CD changer with iPod and MP3 compatibility to the cruise control, rapid air con system and roof that is quickly raised or lowered at the press of a button.

Despite its roadster status, the SLK delivers a most enjoyable and comfortable ride with bumps are potholes easily absorbed by the vehicles highly efficient suspension system.

City driving is fun – mainly for the head-turning qualities of the vehicle and the envious glances you get as the gentle rumble of the engine grabs their attention.

Then out on the open road, the vehicle really comes alive with its 1.8-litre engine delivering plenty of oomph and the tightly positioned six speed transmission is both responsive and easy to manoeuvre.

If I had to find fault then it would be the number of times I activated the cruise control facility instead of the indicator lever, but that was only during the first few driving experiences.

As one would expect, the SLK is packed with safety features including anti-lock brakes, electronic stability programme, brake assist, roll-over protection, plenty of airbags and a comprehensive security system to keep uninvited attention at bay.

All in all, definitely one of the best roadsters I’ve ever driven.