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

But the new Mercedes-Benz SLK offers more than merely individual highlights.It assumes a leading position in every discipline and offers fun at the wheelin every respect, with no half-hearted compromises. It impresses withcharacteristics which are generally deemed to be irreconcilable: it succeeds inuniting excellent comfort and high-quality equipment and appointments witha decidedly sporty flair, for instance. At the same time the new roadster is themost economical and thus the most environmentally friendly in its class, alsosetting new safety standards. And all-weather driving enjoyment – open andclosed, in leisure-time and everyday use – is firmly anchored in the SLK’sgenes.Page 3A distinctive design creates a sporty presenceThe designers have tailor-made an outfit for the new SLK which emphasises itsclassic roadster proportions and puts them in the spotlight to thrilling effect.Behind the long bonnet is a compact passenger compartment positioned farback, and a short tail end. The SLK will tempt potential customers with the keyattributes that characterise all the classic roadsters from Mercedes-Benz andthat have also made many of them automotive icons.The first feature to catch the eye is an upright radiator grille that stands proudand confident in the wind. It facilitates the long and well-proportioned bonnetand with its rearward light-catching contours it already hints at the roadster’sdynamic qualities. The wide radiator grille bears the Mercedes-Benz star in aprominent central position and displays a powerfully contoured fin, chromed atthe front. The clearly defined headlamps complete the look for the new SLK’sface, which resembles that of the legendary 190 SL from the 1950s, which isregarded by many as being the original “SLK”. But it was certainly not just thepast that the designers were focusing on; with the new SLK’s front end theyalso intentionally created a close visual link with the new Mercedes-BenzSLS AMG “gull-wing model” and the new CLS.The amazing and measurable proof of the meticulously detailed work that hasbeen carried out is that in spite of the more striking, steeper front and thelarger frontal area, the Cd value has been cut to just 0.30 – a brilliantachievement (the preceding model’s Cd value was 0.32).The closed, elegant shape of the side view with the classic roadster proportionsquickens the pulse and is a visual promise of the sportiness and drivingpleasure in store. Fine details show the care that has been taken by theDaimler Communications, 70546 Stuttgart/GermanyMercedes-Benz – A Daimler Brand