27Daily Record, June 13, 2008ROAD RECORDD
riven byRoadster8217s a special KIt8217s been given a power boost, but the extra revs
don8217t produce more emissions, quite the reverse, in
fact. SUZIE BOSTEL reports on the new generation
Mercedes SLK, complete
with a plethora of
hi-tech goodiesMANY things get
better with age 8211
f
ine wine,whisky
8230
and the more
m
uscular SLK roadster.Launched in 2004, this year
heralds a new generation of SLK-
Class with the entry-level 200 K8217s
super-charged, four-cylinder
unit gaining a big power boost.
Stronger styling to the front
and rear point the way forward
for Mercedes8217 baby roadster.
A
new bumper and air dam
gives a bold V-shape at the front,
the tail gets diffuser-look styling,
with trapezoidal-shaped exhaust
pipes, and there are AMG-
inspired darkened tail lights.
The exterior mirrors have been
e
nlarged and house integrated
arrow-shape LED indicators.
Inside, the snug cabin has a
fresher look, thanks to a three-
spoke steer
ing wheel, instrument
clusters and a new generation
head unit.
As well as more trim and
leather options
,
the paid-for
extr
as list has also grown.
B
etter looking, and with high
lev
els of equipment, the 200 K8217
s
prize bounty lies under its bonnet.
down, the cabin is quiet. With the
roof up, boot space is 300 litres and
208 litres with it down, which is
reasonable for a roadster.
A
new telematics systems has
been fitted to the SLK. Bluetooth
hands-free phone connection is
integrated into every radio as is an
aux in port for connecting exter-
nal music players. A Media
Interface package allows
portable media
devices, such as
iPods.
Every SLK
has air
condition-
ing, cruise
control,
electric
front win-
dows, alloy
wheels and
CD play
er.
Already
a
best
seller, the
200 K is an
enticing
package
.
A
t
16329,710, the 200 K is
dearer than the last model
but it8217s now more economical
to r
un and gr
eener in nature.
Power and torque is up 21bhp,
as are fuel figures from 32.5mpg
to 36.2mpg, and CO2emissions
are down from 209 to 182g/km.
The extra bhp doesn8217t make it a
hardcore convertible but it does
produce a pleasing drive.
Completing the 0-62mph dash
in 7.6 seconds, and with a top
speed of 147mph, the engine is
lively and peppy.
The gearbox is precise and
slick, and there8217s lots of grip from
the wheels. In corners, there8217s little
lean and the suspension balances
a
sporty feel with comfort.
Optional to the 200 K is a
direct steer system, which uses a
variable ratio rack, giving
adjustable assistance according
to speed and the amount of lock
applied to the wheel.
More lock results in speeding
up the steer
ing for a quicker
response, while keeping the
steering wheel level gives more
straight-line stability. Overall,
steering is responsive but can still
suffer fr
om a slight lack of feel.
The SLK has r
etained its
thr
ee-piece v
ar
io r
oof. P
ush a
button and 22 seconds later the
hardtop becomes a roadster.
Whether the r
oof is up orFactfile:Model:
Mercedes SLK
Engine:
1.8, three, 3.5 and 5.5-litre
CO2emissions:
184, 220, 227 and 288g/km
0-62mph:
7.6, 6.3, 5.4 and 4.9sec-
onds
W
arranty:
Three
years/unlimited
miles
Price:
F
rom
16329,710
On
sale:
NowMercedes-Benz of Edinburgh
12 Edinburgh Road, Newbridge, Edinburgh (EW)
0845 293 5030
www.mercedes-benzofedinburgh.co.uk
M
e
r
c
e
des-Benz of Edinburgh
2
3
5
W
illowbrae Road, Edinburgh (EE)
0
8
4
5
293 5049
w
w
w
.
m
ercedes-benzofedinburgh.co.uk
Mercedes-Benz of Coldstream
1
Guards Road, Coldstream, Borders (TB)
0845 293 5063
www.mercedes-benzofcoldstream.co.uk
S
ervice 0845 481 0920M
ercedes-Benz of EdinburghDirectfromourmanagementfeet,thesemodelsarelowmileage,highspecifcationandavailablewithlowdepositandattractivemonthlypayments.A
p
p
r
ovedUsedEx-managementcarsnowavailable.
OutstandingApprovedUsedOpportunity.Images shown for illustration purposes only. Calls may be monitored for training purposes. *Finance example based on 30 month Mercedes-Benz Agility agreement for an Approved Used 07/57 Mercedes-Benz CLS 320 CDI. **Finance example based on 48 month Mercedes-Benz Agility agreement for an Approved
Used 07/07 Mercedes-Benz C 180K. Vehicle condition charges may apply. Figures are correct at time of going to print and are subject to change without notice. All fnance is subject to status and available to over 18s in the UK only (excluding the Channel Islands). Guarantees and indemnities may be required.
We can arrange fnance and hiring facilities for you. Offers available until 30.6.08.0
7
/57
C
L
S
320 CDI16335,995P
e
a
r
l
i
t
eGrey,GreyLeather,UpgradedAlloys,Comand
N
a
v
i
g
a
t
ion,HeatedFrontSeats,TelephonePre-Wiring.Model2007/57CLS320CDIOntheroadprice16335,995
D
e
posit1636,206.90
A
m
o
u
n
t
o
f
c
r
edit16329,783.10
Acceptancefee163180
P
u
r
c
haseactivationfee16395
M
o
n
thlypayments30Totalchargeforcredit1637,036.90
O
p
tiontopurchasefee16323,075
T
o
t
a
l
a
m
o
u
n
tpayable16343,026.90
A
nnualcontractmileage8,000milesExcessmileagecharge9p+VATpermileM
o
n
t
h
l
y
p
a
yment163449*T
y
p
i
c
a
l
1
0.4%APR07/57
ML 320 CDI Sport
Comfort Pack, Off
R
oad Styling Pack, Heated Seats, Parktronic,
T
e
l
P
r
e
-Wiring
f
r
o
m
163
3
4,990
07/57
A-Class
Choice of Colours and
S
pecifcation. Manual or Automatic,
P
e
t
r
o
l
or Diesel.
f
r
o
m
163
1
1,990
07/57
New C-Class C 200K SE
Iridium Silver,
A
ir Con, Alloys, Climate, Elec Windows,
B
l
u
e
t
o
o
th, Walnut Trim.
f
r
o
m
163
1
9,990M
o
d
e
l
2
0
0
7/07C180KAvantgardeAutoOntheroadprice16315,990
D
eposit163
3,013.64
Amountofcredit163
12,976.36
A
c
ceptancefee163
7
5
Purchaseactivationfee16395
M
o
nthlypayments
48Totalchargeforcredit1633,383.14
O
ptiontopurchasefee163
6,637.50
Totalamountpayable163
19,373.14
A
n
n
u
a
l
c
ontractmileage8,000milesE
x
c
essmileagecharge9p+VATpermileM
o
n
t
h
lypayment163199**T
y
p
i
c
a
l8.8%APR0
7
/
0
7
C
1
8
0
K
Avantgarde Auto16315,990A
i
r
C
o
nditioning, Alloy Wheels,
E
l
e
c
tric Windows, CD Player.V
i
e
w
allourApprovedUsedstockat:
w
w
w
.
m
e
r
cedes-benzofedinburgh.co.uk
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