2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK preview

It has been four years since the current shape SLK took to the streets and it’s still a looker, but thanks to the MY08’s face-lift, the life span of the baby Benz has been extended a little further.

Not entirely different visually, Mercedes claims some 650 new parts make up the over all package change, including front and rear bumpers, a new three spoke steering wheel, and a cleaner, more “captivating” instrument cluster.

The whole interior is said to be more driver focused and with optional ‘direct steering system’, should see the already sweet handling twin top be just that little more manageable.

Best of all, the SLK350 gains 24kW and 10Nm bringing the totals to 224kW and 360Nm respectively, and with thanks to modified valve timing and a new intake manifold the V6’s already athletic performance is sure to have even more punch, especially in the higher reaches of the rev range.

The 7G-TRONIC auto box now also ‘blips’ the throttle (similar to Volkswagen’s Golf GTi) on downshift to create an acoustic sensation said to be emotive to buyers wants giving a sense of sporty performance and of power – fair enough!

Gains in power haven’t been forgotten on the entry level SLK200 either with the supercharged four cylinder now boasting 135kW and 250Nm, a raise of 15kW and 10Nm.

The top-of-the-range SLK 55 AMG remains largely untouched with the 5.5 litre V8 still producing 265kW and 510Nm, nothing to sneeze at in a car weighing 1540kg. Funnily the new 6.2 litre V8 wasn’t adopted for use in the SLK but is seen in many of Merc’s other 2008 models.

Pricing is not yet confirmed, though expect the range to start from $85,000. The MY08 SLK range will be available towards the middle of this year.