What they said when the Mercedes-Benz SLK was new… (Nov 26 2004)
UNLESS you have recently found the six correct numbers on the Lottery you have little chance of being able to afford Mercedes-Benz's McLaren SLR supercar.
But now there's a pocket sized version for a tenth of the price that might just be affordable.
The latest incarnation of the SLK is little short of stunning. Small it, might be but there are few more eye catching new models on the road.
And by basing it on the SLR, Mercedes has broken away from the problem which tended to dog the first generation of SLKs - its girlie image.
The new look car has a much more masculine, aggressive appearance - particularly from the front - but would nonetheless appeal to both sexes.
The short rear is far more muscular than its predecessor and more rounded. Two chromed exhaust pipes add to the sporting appearance.
The first generation model had a much squarer design, but even so that didn't seem to detract from sales which numbered more than 300,000.
Just like the earlier model this one has a solid roof which disappears into the boot with the touch of a button. The whole process takes just 22 seconds.
In fact it was with the first SLK that Mercedes led the way, among today's car modern car makers, in opting for a solid folding roof rather than a soft top - an idea which is catching on more and more now even with four seater cars.
Talking of seats the SLK is strictly a two seater. And there isn't any space behind those seats for any luggage, although there are two or three compartments for small items.
Britain's love of convertibles - we buy more than almost anywhere else in the world per head of population - will mean the SLK will be a best seller.
But Mercedes are offering a clever little extra which should inspire more sales because it will allow you to have the roof down more often - even on the coldest of days.
Anyone who has ever owned a convertible will tell you that the one place you really feel the cold in an open top car when the temperature drops is around the head and neck.
Now thanks to a system called AIRSCARF all that is a thing of the past.
AIRSCARF is a clever system which pumps hot air out of special vents built into the headrests, acting like an invisible scarf to keep those vulnerable areas warm. Switch it on - along with the car's main heater - and you can have the roof down even in winter,
although you might get a few funny looks.
Inside the new SLK is as stylish as the outside. There is plenty of legroom, even for anyone over 6ft, and plenty of adjustment in the seats and steering column.
Two large dials provide the most important information at a glance - speed, revs, fuel level and time - and both are angled towards the driver.
On the road my SLK 200 test car, with its 1800cc supercharged engine delivered excellent mid range performance but I found it lacking in initial acceleration and relatively noisy, leaving it devoid of the refinement usually associated with this marque.
On the motorway, however, it was superbly flexible at high speeds rarely needing to drop a gear from sixth even when urgent overtaking suddenly became necessary.
Road holding is impressive too, and like all Mercs this one has a brilliant turning circle which makes multi-storey parking easy, although the power steering is relatively heavy.
Any criticisms of the car, however, are unlikely to detract from sales. This model will sell on looks alone.
Words: Edward Stephens
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