Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, First Drive

On Top Of The World With Merc's New Magic Roadster


We usually see women behind the wheel of the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class. Who can blame them? It's a cute little car. The original SLK debuted in 1996 with a four-cylinder powerplant and all of 136 ponies. What it lacked in the motivation department it made up for with its Vario-roof retractable hardtop. Not since the 1957 Ford Skyliner could a car stop so much traffic while parked.

The SLK gained some testosterone with its first facelift in 2000. While the exterior was still rather tame, the chick car jokes ceased in 2001 with the introduction of the 354-horsepower SLK 32 AMG.

Things continued to get better with the all-new 2004 edition and its sleeker styling that paid homage to Mercedes' Formula One designs and the beastly McMerc SLR. The reality that AMG could stuff its hand-built 5.4-liter V8 under the hood made the second-generation SLK a serious performance car.

For 2012, the SLK officially begins its third generation, and you can see the difference from 100 yards. Especially from the front view, the roadster looks more mature and substantial. The split-grill design reconstitutes the 190 SL's design from the late 1950s in a handsome, modern manner. The bolder aesthetics continue in the rear, which features large arches over the rear wheels and LED taillamps. And it keeps getting better on the inside...

Continue reading First Drive: 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK...


Gallery: 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK: First Drive



Photos copyright (C)2011 Rex Roy / AOLContinue reading First Drive: 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class

First Drive: 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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03-15-2011 12:57 PM