The Mercedes SLK roadster of the class have long been the heart of the sports car friends conquered. With about 650 newly developed components present the 2008 Mercedes SLK models more dynamic and offer more emotional driving experience.

Among the most important changes include optical redesigned front and rear lots, and a carefully modified interior combined with a new instrument and three-spoke sports steering wheel. The distinct character of the dynamic two-bring in Mercedes SLK 350 sports a V6 engine with high-speed concept and 224 kW / 305 hp and a desire to available direct steering particularly good effect.

Furthermore, despite all motors to some significantly higher performance with the economical fuel, and therefore go again with reduced CO2 emissions. The Mercedes SLK models of the new generation are available from April 2008.

The compact Mercedes SLK roadster since her first appearance of 1996, a symbol of the dynamic brand image of Mercedes-Benz. Today, the second generation of two-on our roads, which from 2008, with comprehensive measures to the full. From the first generation of the roadster model between 1996 and 2004 approximately 310,000 copies sold.

The second generation took place since their introduction in March 2004 until the end of 2007, approximately 185,000 already lovers. Overall, roughly half a million Mercedes SLK roadster sold. The new generation of the new Mercedes SLK is sporty highlights and makes a successful two-seater with the Vario roof, made him within a few seconds, in a weatherproof roadster coupe transforms even more attractive.

The visual appearance of the cult, the two-sport designer further sharpened. A striking point of view of the redesigned front bumper with a revised allocation of cooling air openings and a stronger expression of the angle. The area around the star was modeled concise. Also, the redesigned rear end designer.

The diffuser-look at the bottom of the roadster can also have powerful from behind. Trapezoidal exhaust shields and AMG model darkened tail lights underline this impression effective. The exterior mirrors have been associated with LED indicators in technology in striking arrow shape, and now offer more mirror surface. Almost completely new is the range of light alloy wheels.

Also, the interior has been redesigned many details, and through the careful selection of materials upgraded. Particular attention has been paid to the interior so that it more clearly driver. Are central to a new three-spoke sport steering wheel with multi-function buttons and a new instrument combined with instrument rings in a fascinating look.

For the first time sets in the Mercedes SLK the new audio and telematics generation NTG 2.5. They convinced by improved usability and more useful functions. Serially in each radio are integrated with a hands free Bluetooth technology and a new media interface in the glove compartment of the mobile audio devices like the iPod fully integrated and thus on the layout of the audio system can be operated. With the new-generation telematics offers Mercedes-Benz for the first time in the Mercedes SLK-Class wish the optimized serving language system LINGUATRONIC.

A powerful contribution to the sporting appearance of the 2008 Mercedes SLK generation afford three advanced engines, which is characterized by lower consumption, and hence reduced CO2 pollution emissions. The four-cylinder in the Mercedes SLK 200 Compressor and the six-cylinder engine in the sport Mercedes SLK 350 have significantly more power and torque increased. Only in the Mercedes SLK 55 AMG works unchanged already known eight-cylinder engine, which none of its fascination recession and the segment of the Mercedes SLK still a unique feature.

Particular attention, the engineers at the Mercedes-Benz sports V6 engine with high-speed dedicated approach, the first in the new generation Mercedes SLK built. By far-reaching interventions in the mechanics, they have the character of the six-cylinder significantly revitalized. From 3498 cubic centimeters displacement unchanged, he now draws 224 kW / 305 hp at 6500/min, which is 24 kW (33 hp) more than the previous engine.

The torque has increased (up 10 Nm), and now amounts to 360 Newton metres at 4900 revolutions per minute. This result was achieved by increasing the speed limits at 7200/min. Furthermore, a higher compression, a new intake manifold and extensive modifications to the valve train.

Despite higher performance and top-notch driving performance is the consumption of the Mercedes SLK 350 significantly decreased. With six-speed manual gearbox combination he consumes only 9.5 litres per 100 km, and thus achieved a remarkable reduction in consumption of 1.1 litres per 100 km, with the 7G-TRONIC automatic gearbox is merely the sports engine combined even with only 9.2 liters per 100 km, which is 0.9 litres less than the previous model. Due to the reduced consumption also falls in CO2 emissions by 23 g / km to 219 g / km for the automatic version (gearbox 227 g / km, which corresponds to minus 28 g / km).

For the engine range of the second generation of the Mercedes SLK-Class will also include three other variants:

- The four-cylinder engine compressor has 15 kW / 21 hp more power (135 kW / 184 hp) and 240 to 250 Newton metres. Its fuel consumption decreases by 1.0 litres to 7.7 litres per 100 km combined. In parallel, reducing CO2 emissions by 27 g / km to 182 g / km.

- The Mercedes SLK 280 was regarding consumption, and hence CO2 emissions further improved. His consumption falling by 0.4 litres to 9.3 litres (automatic transmission minus 0.2 l to 9.1 l), the CO2 emissions by 11 g to 220 g / km (automatic by 6 g to 216 g / km) .

- The Mercedes SLK 55 AMG is the familiar 5.5-liter V8 engine with 265 kW / 360 hp and a torque of 510 Newton metres.

The three new Mercedes SLK models are equipped with precise six-speed manual. The Mercedes SLK 55 AMG reserves as before the passage seven automatic 7G-TRONIC sport. Optional are the Mercedes SLK 200 for a five-gear automatic, and for the six-cylinder models Mercedes SLK 280 and Mercedes SLK 350 sports engine as seven-speed automatic gearbox 7G-TRONIC or alternatively the 7G-TRONIC Sport.

The qualities of the sport brings a chassis available upon request, newly developed direct steering with variable power steering support still more of (the Mercedes SLK 55 AMG series). It combines agility and handling on winding country roads with driving comfort when parking and safe driving behavior at high speeds.

The direct steering builds on the previous parameter steering and works on a purely mechanical. So she alternates units without costly and complicated sensors from the direct power flow between the wheel and hand and the steering precision disruptive influence. Core is a new rack with a sophisticated gear. It ensures that the translation of the steering mechanism according to the steering angle changes.

Around the resources situation is stable for the steering straight, and thus a high level of security at high speeds indirectly translated. As early as 5 degrees steering movement is growing very fast translation and the steering felt the direct impact. This reduces the new direct steering wheel, the number of revolutions of attack to attack by about 25 percent.

The Mercedes SLK 55 AMG is technically extended almost unchanged and only a few optical retouching. A new front apron with tie and black lacquered side air discharge openings darkened front headlamps and shape the face of the future
AMG model.

The Mercedes SLK roadster of the class has as a trend-setter and technology leader long ago the image of a modern cult cars gained. Even after the comprehensive revision of the familiar remained outstanding qualities. In addition, the roadster at the request unique AIRSCARF head space heating, even in the cold season open driving pleasure and thus the convertible season extended significantly.