All-New Mercedes-Benz SLK Revealed in New York
The New SLK-Class: Athletic, Innovative and More Powerful
NEW YORK, April 7 -- The New York Auto Show offers an opportunity to view the totally redesigned model year 2005 SLK-Class. The original SLK shook up the small roadster market when it was introduced in 1997, and the second generation will be ready to hit U.S. streets in fall 2004. More than 300,000 of the original Mercedes-Benz SLK coupe/ roadsters have been sold around the world, and 66,115 of them were retailed in the U.S. through 2003.
More aggressive, sportier and more powerful, the new SLK will arrive in the U.S. this fall. The new SLK models will be powered by a new-generation 268-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 engine featuring double-overhead camshafts with variable valve timing for both intake and exhaust -- the first ever such use on a Mercedes-Benz V6 engine. Additional improvements on the 2005 SLK-Class include bold athletic styling, an all-new, more-precise 6-speed manual transmission, 17-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels, and an available lowered sports suspension.
The 2005 SLK Engine with Variable Valve Timing
Rarely does the completion of new engine technology correspond with the unveiling of an all-new car. However, the debut of the 2005 SLK coupe roadster also marks the arrival of a new high-tech engine family from Mercedes-Benz, one which is characterized by variable valve timing for both the intake and exhaust valves. Variable intake and exhaust valve timing requires separate camshafts for the intake and exhaust valves, so the new SLK powerplant represents the first time Mercedes-Benz has used double-overhead camshaft technology on their V6 engines.
The most powerful engine in its class, the 3.5-liter all-aluminum V6 produces 268 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, with maximum torque available from 2,500 rpm all the way up to 5,000 rpm. The new V6 already develops 87 percent of its maximum torque at only 1,500 rpm. While the variable valve timing system gets a lot of credit for the engine's unusually broad torque curve, a two-stage intake manifold plays a key role as well.
Design Cues from the F1 World
Inspired by the world of Formula One racing, the exterior design of the new SLK incorporates an arrow-shaped nose, long front hood, steeply sloped windshield and a tapered, wedge-shaped silhouette. The car is nearly three inches longer and wider than its predecessor. Aggressive styling carries through to the rear, marked by a new dual exhaust layout. Stopping power is provided courtesy of huge 13-inch perforated and ventilated front disc brakes with four-piston calipers and 11.4-inch rear discs with two-piston calipers.
The SLK interior is completely redesigned, with silver switches and trim elements that contrast against a darker dash. Large chronometer-style gauges -- speedometer, fuel gauge, tachometer and clock -- dominate the cockpit, while the sculpted dash blends into the door panels.
Even the Retractable Hardtop is Faster
The automatic retractable hardtop of the original car set the SLK apart from its competition. With the top up, it's a quiet coupe -- push a button, and 25 seconds later, the car was topless.
The roof of the new SLK goes up and down even more quickly, now 22 seconds, and the folded roof takes up less trunk space - thanks to its pivoting rear window. Like the retractable hardtop of the larger SL model, the rear window of the new SLK pivots to match the curvature of the top, providing nearly two cubic feet of increased trunk room.
An Extended Driving Season
Located within the headrests of the new SLK is a new technology that can extend the open-air driving season. The AIRSCARF neck-level heating system blows warm air from the headrests of the driver and passenger seats, allowing occupants to cruise with the retractable hardtop open in colder weather.
Hardbody With the Hardtop
The unitized body of the second-generation SLK uses even more high- strength steel alloy -- now 42 percent of the total body structure. The result, with the top down, is a 46 percent increase in torsional strength and a 19 percent increase in bending strength of the body. The entire body shell is zinc-coated for long-term corrosion protection, and the SLK makes use of a new scratch-resistant clearcoat paint that was initially developed in the nano-technology sector.
Engineers have been able to incorporate ceramic particles less than a millionth of a millimeter in size into the molecular structure of the paint bonding agent. As the paint dries, these particles form a regular, dense pattern that triples the scratch resistance of the paintwork.
About Mercedes-Benz USA
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. In 2003, MBUSA achieved an all-time sales record of 218,717 new vehicles, setting the highest sales volume ever in its history and achieving ten consecutive years of sales growth. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at www.mbusa.com and www.maybachusa.com.
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