Mercedes-Benz SLK-class

Mercedes’ popular SLK roadster received a major redesign to bring it in line with the Benz corporate face in 2011.

The first SLK arrived in 1997, but the 2011 iteration was a far more aggressively styled affair, taking cues from Mercedes’ SLS supercar.

Mercedes-Benz cut the price of the entry-level SLK200 to better compete with rivals such as the Audi TT Roadster and BMW Z4. At launch prices ranged from $82,900 to $118,900 for the SLK350.

The convertible also featured advanced driving aids such as Attention Assist, Pre-Safe and Parktronic parking guidance.

Both the SLK200 and 250 came with a new 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that delivered 135kW and raced to 100km/h in 7.3 seconds.

The up-spec SLK350 was powered by a 3.5-litre petrol V6 with an output of 225kW that pushed the sports car to 100km/h in just 5.6 seconds.

All models in the range were mated to Mercedes’ 7G-Tronic automatic transmission. Fuel consumption for the four-cylinder SLK was a respectable 6.9-litres per 100km, while the V6 managed 8.3-litres per 100km.

Featuring a retractable hard top roof, the SLK came with a healthy standard features list, including adaptive brake lights, sun-reflecting leather trim, anti-whiplash headrests, a boot with a reversible floor, LED tail-lights, daytime running lights and head airbags in the doors.

Mercedes-Benz claimed that the folding roof hard-top could be lowered in less than 20 seconds.

The SLK’s boot space varied between 225 litres with the top down and up to 335 litres with the lid on – enough to carry a set of golf clubs.