The smaller of the Mercedes-Benz’s two-seat convertibles is unaltered for 2007. Like the larger, costlier SL, the SLK has a power-folding hardtop. It comes in three versions.
The SLK280 has a 228-hp 3.0-liter V6. The SLK350 has a 268-hp 3.5-liter V6, and the SLK55 has a 355-hp V8. SLK280 and 350 offer a 6-speed manual transmission or 7-speed automatic. SLK55 comes only with the automatic. All have ABS and traction/antiskid control. Also standard are knee airbags and side airbags designed to protect head and torso; they also include rollover deployment.
This Autobahn eater, the 2007 S550 Mercedes-Benz, is all the luxury sedan anyone would ever need to purchase and comes so close to perfection we’re not even certain what’s left for Mercedes to fix the next time around. Well there are a few elements that tell us mere mortals created this car. But first, let’s talk about the good stuff.
The current CLK is four years old, so it is no surprise that the highlight here is the new, AMG-developed 6.2-liter V-8 beast that is spreading throughout Mercedes’ lineup of cranked-up AMG cars. It puts out 475 horsepower in the CLK63, making last year’s 362-hp CLK55 AMG seem a little tame. The new engine comes alive right off idle, heaving the tach toward the 7200-rpm redline and singing a refined yet seductive engine snarl that is nothing short of amazing.