For the first time,
Mercedes-Benz is offering
the sporty SLK Roadster with
a diesel engine. The 204 hp
four-cylinder power unit
puts the two-seater at the
top of its class in numerous
respects. With a fuel
consumption of 4.9 litres
per 100 kilometres, it is
the most economical roadster
in its segment. Thanks to
its enormous torque of 500
newton metres it accelerates
from zero to 100 km/h in 6.7
seconds, and delivers a top
figure for acceleration from
80 to 120 km/h. The result
is superior driving
enjoyment both on winding
country roads and on long
motorway stretches. Like the
other models in the latest
SLK family, which was
presented in January this
year, it combines lively
sportiness with high-quality
appointments and excellent
comfort.
Diesel drive and roadster
excitement do not go
together - or so a common
misconception would have it.
Mercedes-Benz impressively
demonstrates the contrary
with the new SLK 250 CDI.
Its four-cylinder diesel
engine with a displacement
of 2143 cc generates an
output of 204 hp and 500
newton metres of torque - as
much as a petrol engine with
twice the displacement would
normally generate. This
makes the new SLK 250 CDI
the most powerful diesel
model in its class, and
gives the roadster the
potential for extremely
sporty performance.
Equipped with the standard
7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic
transmission (a six-speed
manual transmission will
follow in the second quarter
of next year), the diesel
SLK sprints from zero to
100km/h in 6.7 seconds and
achieves a top speed of 243
km/h. Moreover, the
flexibility of the SLK 250
CDI is nothing short of
phenomenal. Thanks to its
enormous diesel torque it
accelerates from 80 to 120
km/h in just 4.3 seconds -
easily the best figure in
this class, making for safe
and effortless overtaking.
Apart from this, the SLK 250
CDI is the most economical
and therefore
environmentally compatible
roadster in its segment. It
is happy with 4.9 litres of
diesel fuel per 100
kilometres (NEDC combined
consumption), which
corresponds to CO2 emissions
of 128 g/km. In other words,
the diesel SLK combines
thoroughbred sports car
performance with the fuel
economy of a sub-compact.
This guarantees great
driving pleasure with great
fuel efficiency.
The diesel engine achieves
its exemplary output,
torque, fuel consumption and
emissions figures, as well
as its highly impressive
smoothness for a diesel
unit, thanks to an extensive
package of innovative
technologies. These include
fourth-generation
common-rail injection with a
rail pressure of 2000 bar
and precise injection
timing, as well as two-stage
turbocharging. Like all SLK
models, the SLK 250 CDI also
features a start/stop system
as standard.
The frugal fuel consumption
makes the SLK 250 CDI a car
with superior long-distance
qualities. Using the
European motorways, it is
e.g. quite possible to drive
from the North Sea to a
beach on the Mediterranean
non-stop. Very comfortable
sports seats, a comfortable
suspension setup and the
largest luggage capacity in
this segment also do their
bit to create the right
conditions.
As it shares the same genes
with the other members of
the successful SLK family,
the SLK 250 CDI combines
lightfooted sportiness with
stylish comfort, a striking
sports car design and
absolute day-to-day
suitability, while
delivering top performance
with exemplary ecology. This
means that the diesel
version too provides
open-top driving enjoyment
at an extraordinarily high
level.
The SLK 250 CDI is likewise
available with a choice of
three versions of the famous
vario-roof - one of them the
panoramic vario-roof with
MAGIC SKY CONTROL. This
glass roof can be changed
from dark to transparent at
the touch of a button. There
are also three suspension
versions available: a
conventional steel
suspension, a sports
suspension with a stiffer
spring and damper setup or a
suspension with an
electronically controlled,
fully automatic damping
system. The latter is part
of the Dynamic Handling
package, which also includes
the Direct-Steer system and
the Torque Vectoring Brake
developed by Mercedes-Benz
for particularly agile and
predictable handling
characteristics.
