Neil Dowling
Contributing Journalist
23 Aug 2011
4 min read
SEEING stars for as little as $82,900 is an offer few lovers of topless German cars can refuse. That's the entry price for Mercedes-Benz's new SLK200 - the two-seater, steel-roofed roadster that compared with its predecessor is a distinct step forward in terms of equipment and performance, yet at a yesteryear price.

Four models will wear the SLK badge before the end of the first quarter of 2012. But for now, there's two - the SLK200 and SLK350 - separated by power, features and a wide $36,000 gap.

VALUE

This is in the eye of the beholder and yet even the "cheap" SLK200 is well kitted out. Standard is a seven-speed automatic attached to a 1.8-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine. The electric steel roof goes down (and up) in less than 20 seconds, there are 17-inch alloy wheels, iPod/USB friendly audio, heated seats, solar-reflective leather seats and a 147mm colour screen. It's only when you factor in the extras in the SLK350 ($118,900) such as HDD sat-nav, multi-media Comand system, bi-xenon headlights and that big engine that you recognise the reason for the price difference.

Read the full Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 2011 Review.