The new Mercedes-Benz SLK: Passion meets efficiency - Daimler

Vario-roof and bodyPage 18Innovative technology with a unique roofconceptDriving a roadster is a wonderful emotional experience. Gliding through thelandscape and its many sounds and smells at the wheel of an agile sports car,with the top down and the sun shining, awakens intensive and joyous feelings.In a Mercedes-Benz SLK, even rainy weather does little to mar this pleasure.Ever since the launch of the first SLK in 1996, this has been ensured by avario-roof which converts the roadster into a coupé with a fixed roof at thetouch of a button, and in just a few seconds. Since then, Mercedes-Benzengineers have constantly refined the vario-roof even further and maintainedthe SLK's pioneering role in this technology.Unique item of equipment: MAGIC SKY CONTROLFor the first time, Mercedes-Benz is offering a choice between three variantsof the lightweight vario-roof for the new SLK:• The base version is a roof painted in the vehicle colour• Alternatively there is the option of a panoramic vario-roof with tintedpolycarbonate.• The third variant is a world premiere – the panoramic vario-roof withMAGIC SKY CONTROL. This glass roof switches to light or dark asrequired at the press of a button. When light it is virtually transparent,offering an open-air experience even in cold weather. In its dark statethe roof provides welcome shade and prevents the interior fromheating up when the sun’s rays are very intense. In other words:a feel-good atmosphere at the touch of a buttonThe operating principle is based on the physics of a plate condenser: if theglass structure is subjected to an electrical voltage, particles in the structureposition themselves so that light is able to pass through the glass. If the voltageremains switched off, however, the particles position themselves randomly.This partially blocks the light, and the glass remains dark. The control unit andconverter are integrated into the front section of the roof, and the switch is inthe overhead control console.Daimler Communications, 70546 Stuttgart/GermanyMercedes-Benz – A Daimler Brand