Press Release

Mercedes Benz Announces Popular Science Award for New SLK Roadster

11/15/96

Mercedes-Benz SLK Wins a "Best of What's New" Award New SLK Roadster
Gets Accolade from Popular Science Magazine

MONTVALE, N.J., Nov. 12 -- The soon-to-arrive
Mercedes-Benz SLK roadster has won a "Best of What's New" award from
Popular Science magazine. In the ninth annual "Best of What's New,"
the editors of Popular Science celebrate the top products and greatest
achievements in science and technology during 1996.

The December "Best of What's New" issue of Popular Science, which goes
on sale today, says, "The SLK looks good, has a terrific chassis and a
supercharged engine, and is fun to drive." Also mentioned is its
automatic retractable hardtop -- a feature which sets the SLK apart
from its competitors: "The retractable hardtop alone is a marvel of
gee-whiz engineering," says the magazine's editors.

Among its many safety features, the SLK will be the first car ever
equipped with the BabySmart system, which automatically turns off the
passenger airbag whenever a special child seat is belted in place.

The SLK will set new standards in the sporty, two-seat roadster market
segment, and with a 185-horsepower supercharged engine, it will take
its place among legendary sports cars that bore the three-pointed
star.  The new sports car will supplement the well-known Mercedes-Benz
SL coupe/roadster models and return the world's oldest automaker to
the enviable position of offering sporty entries in two distinct
market segments, last seen in the early 1960s with the 300SL and
190SL. 

At an expected price of about $40,000, the new SLK will arrive in
U.S. dealerships in January, 1997 as a '98 model.