2004 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 Reviews

The Mercedes-Benz SLK 350 is one of them.We loved the cheeky, entry level Kompressor model that we drove a couple of weeks back with its perky 1.8-litre supercharged engine.But the 200kW, V6 powered SLK 350 is something else again.The fact that Benz has an even more powerful, V8 AMG version of the car on the way is mind-boggling.How much power do you need?In some repects we still prefer the lighter, more nimble Kompressor in comparison to the heavier, more powerful SLK 350.The Kompressor is a car in which you have a lot of fun, without feeling that you have something to prove.It has a nice note to the exhaust, strong mid-range acceleration and light razor sharp handling.But powerful cars are like a drug and it is difficult to ignore the call of the big torquey V6.The car gets off the line in a rapid fire 5.6 seconds on its way to 100km/h (even faster with the auto).That's every bit as fast as a WRX, the benchmark for so many performance cars these days, and almost as quick in fact as the ultra high performance STi.However, the V8 when it arrives will eat have both Soobys for lunch, able to accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 4.9 seconds.It's easy to get bogged down in performance figures and the rest of the "mine's bigger than yours" revhead culture.Suffice to say that the SLK 350 is an exciting car to drive and one that embodies the traditional elements of sports car design – it's light, compact, with a low centre of gravity and excellent power to weight ratio.A purpose built two-seater, the SLK joined the Benz lineup in 1996, with a cleverly designed metal roof that can be removed at the press of a button, tucking neatly into the boot.Even with a price tag of $112,000 for the SLK 350, it is still a far cry from super car territory but offers the same sort of style and performance as a Porsche or Ferrari.Let's just say if you won the Lotto, you could do a lot worse than buying one of these beautiful pocket rockets.One of the other clever things about the new SLK is the optional "air scarf" system that was fitted to our test vehicle.This ingenious device delivers warm air to the back of your neck through small holes located in the seat head rests, allowing the occupants to enjoy that open air feeling even on the chilliest night.The new 3.5-litre V6 engine in the SLK 350 is good for 200kW of power and 350Nm of torque, 25 per cent more power than the previous V6 and 13 per cent more torque.A seven speed tiptronic style automatic transmission is standard on the 350 and is actually a fraction faster than the manual tranny, at 5.5 seconds for 0-100km/h.Our test car was fitted with the optional, no cost six- speed manual and despite the qucker time is certain to be the choice of enthusiasts.Fuel consumtion for the manual transmission is rated at 10.6L/100km.We achieved a figure of 12.8L/100km during testing.Standard equipment includes climate controlled airconditioning and leather upholstery, driver and front passenger airbags, side airbags, cruise control, stability control with anti-lock braking system, acceleration skid control and brake assist.In additon the 350 gets satellite navigation, CD changer, electrically adjustableseats, larger 17-inch wheels and rubber, and bigger brakes with perforated front discs.

But if it is half as good the new, second generation SLK I regret missing out.In the course of a year we get our hands on a lot of flash sports cars here at CARSguide but the baby Benz impresses as easily the best example of the genre that we have driven so far.Even the entry level SLK 200 Kompressor with a relatively conservative 120kW of power is stunningly good.The small two-seat SLK sports car with its removable metal "vario" roof joined the Benz lineup in 1996.The current model which made its debut in September is available in two forms at the moment, the Kompressor with a supercharged four cylinder engine and the hard-hitting SLK 350 with a 3.5-litre V6 – an AMG V8 is still to come.Our test vehicle was the SLK 200 Kompressor, although we will be bringing you more on the V6 in the weeks to come.The Kompressor is a ball to drive, with snappy performance, an urgent note to the exhaust and pin sharp, point and shoot handling.The supercharged 1.8-litre in-line four cylinder engine is a lift from the larger C-Class range.It provides the same output but is claimed to use eight per cent less fuel than the previous power plant.The car lacks some punch off the line, but delivers strong mid- to high-range acceleration which is where you want it.Maximum power of 120kW is delivered at 5500rpm, while peak torque of 240Nm is available between 3000 and 4000rpm.Revs build quickly and the engine peaks easily in the lower gears, so short sharp changes are the order of the day.Our test vehicle was fitted with the optional six- speed manual transmission which actually reduces the price of the car by $3100 – a win-win situation for the enthusiast.The stubby shift lever falls easily to hand and is ergonomically sculpted to sit snugly in the palm, with a quick precise feel to the change.Reverse gear moves from left rear to left front in the revised transmission.A five-speed auto with F1 style change buttons is standard.The Kompressor returns a respectable 7.9 seconds for the 0-100km/h dash in manual form while the auto is a little slower at 8.3 seconds.But sports cars are more about style and twisting mountain roads than flat out, straight line performance.Point this car at a corner and revel in the experience as it rotates neatly about its own axis before sling- shotting out the other side, with almost perfect road manners.Equally impressive is the light way the car sips fuel, with the on board computer reporting average consumption at just 9.5L/100km from the 70-litre tank – we might add, without a hint of being driven sedately.The SLK is a striking car, much bolder and more visually impressive than the model it replaces, with its long swooping bonnet and large swept back headlights.Twin exhaust and chunky rubber herald the car's credentials from the rear.With its huge three pointed star dominating the front radiator grille, there is certainly no mistaking this car for anything else.Of course, there is only room for two inside, so it cannot be judged in terms of practicality.However, the electrically operated metal roof offers all the joys of open air motoring with none of the drawbacks.The SLK is just over four metres long and stands a shade under 1.3 metres tall, weighing in at 1390kg with a body that is 72mm longer and 65mm wider than the previous model, providing occupants with more space and greater comfort.Boot space is reasonable, with a hard plastic cover that must be in place before the roof has sufficient space to open.Opening and closing the roof takes just 22 seconds.About the only thing we disliked about the SLK is that long descent to the driver's seat and the large, wide opening doors which do not augur well for narrow driveways.The seats are also a little firm and the steering wheel a tad upright for our taste.Standard equipment includes climate controlled airconditioning and leather upholstery, driver and front passenger airbags, side airbags, cruise control, stability control with anti-lock braking system, acceleration skid control and brake assist.The Mercedes-Benz SLK Kompressor is priced from $86,900.