Mercedes-Benz has made its SLK range more appealing to buyers for whom a sporty appearance and handling rates high on the reasons-to-buy list.

The German car maker’s new AMG Sport Line adds a more aggressive appearance compared to the outgoing SLK cars. This sense of sporty dynamism is conveyed via the muscular front apron, prominent side skirts as well as a new rear apron. Additional differences between the AMG Sport Line and previous generation SLKs include the restyled headlamps with dark surrounds, dark-tinted tail lights, and colour-coded topstitching on the seats.

Counted amongst the under the skin changes are lowered sports suspension with a stiffer, sportier spring and damper setup, plus 18" 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels coupled with mixed-size tyres (front 225/40, rear 245/35) from sports car tuning specialist AMG. The braking system has also been overhauled, with perforated larger brake discs and callipers that bear the Mercedes-Benz branding.    

Despite the modern exterior, the interior of the SLK is very much old school Mercedes-Benz. 

Sportier design bark necessitates added performance bite

Mercedes-Benz stated that the engines of the new SLK lineup will deliver considerably lower fuel consumption on a combined-cycle (town and highway driving), while offering comparable or higher power output compared to the preceding series. There are three petrol engine powered SLK models that all feature direct injection engines, namely the SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY, newly introduced SLK 250 BlueEFFICIENCY and the SLK 350 BlueEFFICIENCY.

The 1796 cc four-cylinder petrol engine develops 135 kW and 270 Nm of torque in the SLK 200, helping the car reach 100 km/h from standstill in 7.3 seconds (7 second in the 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic). Terminal velocity for the SLK 200 is 240 km/h (237 km/h in the auto), whilst the combined-cycle fuel usage figure is a claimed 7 litres per 100 km.

The SLK 250 BlueEFFICIENCY utilises a tuned version of the SLK 200’s powerplant that delivers 150 kW and 310 Nm of torque, and consumes just 7.3 litres per 100 km. From standstill the SLK 205 reaches 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds, and can go on to reach a top speed of 243 km/h.

Under the bonnet of the SLK 350 BlueEFFICIENCY resides a 3498 cc V6 that generates 225 kW and 370 Nm. The 0 to 100 km/h sprint takes just 5.6 seconds in this model, while the top speed is an illegal 250 km/h and combined-cycle fuel usage figure is a claimed 8.3 litres per 100 km.

You are able to drop the top on those warm, sunny days.

Pricing

SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY        R579 238

SLK 250 BlueEFFICIENCY        R635 811

SLK 350 BlueEFFICIENCY        R763 673

As with all Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, the SLK AMG Sport Line comes standard with Mercedes-Benz’s PremiumDrive maintenance package that is valid for 6 years or 100 000 km, with no customer contribution.

“Whilst further enhancing the sporty appearance of the SLK range with the AMG Sport Line, we have also added a new engine derivative, the SLK 250 BlueEFFICIENCY.  Buying trends have shown that there are customers looking for the additional power and torque in a 4-cylinder engine,” said Selvin Govender, divisional marketing manager, Mercedes-Benz Cars.

“The four-cylinder roadsters, the SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY and the SLK 250 BlueEFFICIENCY are also equipped with the AMG Sports Line that expresses their special character acoustically – with an even sportier engine sound,” concluded Govender.

In other motoring related news, both Peugeot and VW recently added a GTi model to their respective local motoring stables in the form of the 208 GTi hatchback and VW Golf GTI.