The SLK’s “cramped cockpit, soft styling and underpowered engine” has always been highly criticized. But That sloppy six-speed has been replaced with a manual transmission that is more responsive and provides for the kind of short, tight shifts that fast drivers love.
The other new SLK gearbox is a seven-speed automatic transmission a $1,375 option and a first for a six-cylinder car. The new steering wheel is well hefted, allowing for smooth inputs, even if the response could still be a bit more precise in corners.
The pedals although they aren’t adjustable are well-placed for performance maneuvers, such as heel-and-toe downshifting, in which you rev the throttle with half of the foot that is braking, decreasing the strain on the machinery and making the shifts smoother. Lots of torque is available at low engine speeds, which grants you grip and acceleration whenever you want it. The SLK now has its first sports suspension an option and a great exhaust noise.
What we’re trying to tell you is that the new SLK, which went on sale last week for a base price of $45,500, has gone from being the last-place car in a pack of excellent roadsters to being every bit as good as the models Mercedes identifies as the SLK’s main competitors: BMW’s Z4, Volkswagen’s Audi TT and Porsche’s Boxster. General Motors may even have something to fear as it is introducing the new Corvette.
About the only significant problem is that the interior gets a D- for storage space. The map pockets in the doors are very narrow, and a six-CD changer takes up most of the glove box. You can’t even fit a CD in the center storage bin. One more storage bin, a unit that is mounted at shoulder-level between the seats, is also narrow. You can fit a couple of CDs and a pair of glasses in there, but not both.
All of that is forgiven, however, considering the SLK’s newfound sportiness and that’s just on the SLK350, the V-6 model we tested. We haven’t even touched on the forthcoming SLK55 AMG, which is due out in November. That car will feature a 362-horsepower, 5.5-liter V-8 with 376 pound-feet (lb.-ft.) of torque, not to mention suspension, exhaust and brakes by AMG, Mercedes’ hot-rod shop. Mercedes has not announced pricing for the SLK55, but said it will start at under $60,000.
In the meantime, the SLK350 introduces a new SLK-Class with plenty of performance chops. Not thrilled with the stock SLK350? Spend $4,000 for the optional sports package, which gets you AMG front-body cladding, sports wheels and suspension and gearshift buttons on the steering wheel.
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