Lifted from the Benz sedan line-up, the V6 had three valves per cylinder (two inlet, one exhaust) and 160 kW of power.įor all that, it wasn't the smoothest V6 on the market, but it was more refined than either of the rather grainy four-cylinder versions with their distinctive supercharged whine. The real news for Benz buyers was the availability of a V6 in the SLK320 - although the only gearbox option was the five-speed automatic transmission. Some slight tweaks to the supercharged engine resulted in an extra three kilowatts (a total of 145) and there was an appreciable performance jump between the two four-cylinder powered versions. The same goes for the SLK230, which was given the same transmission choices. Power peaked at 120 kW and, if you kept the engine on the boil, performance was adequate despite the fairly hefty SLK body.Ī five-speed automatic and six-speed manual were offered, and although you might struggle to find one, the manual version is the better driver's car. Two new engines amounted to two new models, and a supercharger boosted the performance of the SLK200, the new base model. The upgrade also endowed the car with new safety features and, for this reason alone, cars from 2000 onwards are the ones to go for, even if the bank manager doesn't agree. But by 2000 (the original was launched in 1997) Mercedes-Benz figured it was time for an upgrade.īenz concentrated on broadening the model's appeal with new engines and breathed new life into the existing 230 model with a new six-speed manual gearbox. It had plenty going for it beyond its badge and sticker price - all-steel electric roof, racy two-seater looks and supercharged engine. The new V-6 delivers a stronger punch and is quieter, more refined and more worthy of the brand.At less than $100,000, the Mercedes-Benz SLK230 roadster was always going to be a strong seller for the brand Down Under. The SLK230 is reasonably quick, but the engine is loud and coarse under full throttle not what you expect on a $40,000 car from a luxury maker such as Mercedes. With either engine, the standard transmission is a six-speed manual, and the optional transmission is a five-speed automatic with Touch Shift, which allows changing gears manually by tipping the gear lever left or right.Įlectronic Stability Program (a skid-control system), traction control, antilock brakes and side-impact airbags are standard on both models. The new 3.2-liter V-6 engine produces 215 horsepower, 25 hp more than the supercharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder. The V-6 model also gets power seats, a telescoping steering column, wood interior accents and a leather/wood steering wheel as standard equipment. Leather bucket seats are standard on both versions of the SLK, and metallic trim replaces carbon fiber dashboard trim on the four-cylinder model. It stores in the dual-hinged trunk, which opens at the front to accept the roof and at the rear to accept cargo. Pushing a button on the console raises or lowers the articulating top in less than 25 seconds. Operation of the retractable steel hardtop is unchanged. The V-6 SLK320 also has unique five-spoke wheels and a larger front air dam. The 2001 models get several visual changes, including new front and rear aprons, sculpted rocker panels and body-color door handles. With base prices of $38,900 for the SLK230 and $43,900 for the new SLK320, these roadsters are around half the price of Mercedes luxury roadster, the SL, which starts at $82,600. The SLK230 arrived as a 1998 model and the first modern car with a retractable hardtop roof. The new V-6 version joins the SLK230, powered by a supercharged four-cylinder engine. Mercedes gives its rear-drive SLK roadster a new V-6 engine and gets an early start on the 2001 model year with the addition of the SLK320 model.
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