Since their first appearance in 1997, the compact SLK Roadsters have come to symbolise Mercedes-Benz' dynamic brand image. Already a familiar sight on our roads, the second-generation two-seater is to be further enhanced with the implementation of a raft of measures in 2008, to further emphasise the car's sporty character and continue the SLK-Class success story by introducing new, dynamic, powerful elements.

Fast-running sports engine: higher output and much lower fuel consumption

The sporty credentials of the 2008 SLK generation are further enhanced by three modified powerplants that consume less fuel and, therefore, emit less CO₂. The four-cylinder powerplant in the SLK 200 Kompressor and the six-cylinder sports engine in the SLK 350 both offer substantially more power and torque.

The Mercedes-Benz engineers paid special attention to the fast-running V6 sports engine that makes its debut in the new-generation SLK, totally altering the six-cylinder unit's character by making sweeping changes to the mechanical setup. Although the displacement remains the same at 3498 cc, the engine now develops 305 hp at 6500 rpm – 33 hp more than its predecessor. The peak torque has also been boosted, by 10 Nm, and now stands at 360 Nm when the engine is running at 4900 rpm.

This result was achieved by raising the engine speed limit to 6800 rpm; it can even be increased to 7200 rpm for a brief period – oil temperature and other engine parameters permitting. Other changes introduced include a higher compression ratio, a new intake manifold and an extensively modified valve train.

Further aspects which add to the emotionally charged appeal of the new engine include deliberately powerful sports-engine acoustics with a strikingly emotive sound design when decelerating. In combination with the 7G‑TRONIC automatic transmission, the engine management system also blips the throttle automatically during downshifts. As well as producing an extremely sporty sound, this throttle-blipping function reduces load alteration effects.

Despite the higher output and high-calibre performance, the SLK 350 consumes considerably less fuel. With the six-speed manual transmission on board, combined fuel consumption is just 29.7 mpg; if the 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission is fitted, the sports powerplant returns a combined fuel consumption of just 30.7 mpg. Lower fuel consumption means that CO₂ emissions are also reduced – by 23 g/km to 219 g/km in the automatic version and by 28 g/km to 227 g/km in the manual version.

The engine line-up for the second generation of the successful SLK-Class is being augmented by further variants:

• The output of the four-cylinder supercharged engine has been boosted by
  15 kW/21 hp (to 135 kW/184 hp), while its torque has been increased from 240 to 250 Nm. Combined fuel consumption has been reduced to 36.7 mpg whilst CO₂ emissions have been reduced by 27 g/km to 182 g/km.
• The SLK 280 has also been further improved with respect to fuel economy and, therefore, CO₂ emissions. Fuel consumption has been cut to 30.4 mpg (if an automatic transmission is fitted, the figure is 31.0 mpg), while CO₂ emissions have been reduced by 11 g to 220 g/km (if an automatic transmission is fitted, the figure is 6 g lower at 216 g/km).

UK pricing for the new-generation SLK will be confirmed early in 2008.