- Doors and Seats
2 doors, 2 seats
- Engine
3.0i, 6 cyl.
- Engine Power
170kW, 300Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 9.6L/100KM
- Manufacturer
RWD
- Transmission
Manual
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Mercedes-Benz SLK 280
It is the nature of sports cars that their sales curves have a short, sharp climb followed by a fall when the next "big" thing comes along.
There's no doubt, then, that Mercedes-Benz's second-generation SLK two-seat hard-top coupe-cabrio is in danger of contracting altitude sickness, having racked up more than 1000 sales in the first 12 months since launch.
Cleverly, at a time when the new-model excitement might be wearing off, Benz has added a second V6, the 280, meaning there are now two SLKs priced below $100,000 and two above.
The entry model remains the four-cylinder supercharged SLK 200 for $83,800 (the five-speed auto adds $3100), the 280 chimes in at $96,400 for the six-speed manual, then $109,400 for the 350 V6 (add $3500 for the 7G-Tronic auto in either). The brawny SLK 55 AMG V8 flagship is a hefty $161,900.
The 280 loses not only engine capacity but also equipment when compared to the 350. A single-CD player seems substandard, while the omission of the Comand system and its navigation function is understandable. But there is still leather trim and dual climate control, dual front and side airbags and stability control.
The Benz has a premium price over the obvious BMW Z4 and Audi TT competition, and there are plenty of options available. The test car came with options worth more than $7000, including heated and powered sports seats and the excellent Airscarf neck warmer, which made up more than $6000 of it.
One of the SLK 280's assets - and one it shares with its siblings - is great looks with the "vario roof" up or down. The F1-inspired nose has its detractors, but the plunging side view and short tail - avoiding the fat bottom of many metal-roof convertibles - is as sexy as they come.
Despite the badge numbers, the SLK 280 is powered by a new 3.0-litre engine, part of a design family Benz has been seeping into the market in 3.5-litre form. This version has the same specs - all-alloy construction, double overhead cams, four valves per-cylinder, variable camshaft timing on both inlet and exhaust, and two-stage variable intake manifolds.
The result is 170 kW at 6000 rpm, 300 Nm between 2400 rpm and 5000 rpm, a 0-100 km acceleration claim of 6.2 seconds, a claimed 9.5 L/100 km fuel consumption average on unleaded petrol and Euro IV emissions compliance.
Those figures are obtained with the seven-speed automatic, and are better than when the engine is teamed with the six-speed manual.
This is a strong engine. Its wide spread of torque and willingness to rev cleanly to its 6400 rpm redline are assets, but an unappealing exhaust note reminds you that it doesn't have the same character of the BMW Z4's 3.0-litre inline six, which probably not coincidentally produces the same kilowatt and Newton-metre numbers.
What the seven speed does is extract the 3.0's best. In this guise, the 7G-Tronic is calibrated for sharper changes than some other Benzes - the ML350 tested recently is an example - but it is also uncannily good at reading inputs and divining driver intentions.
Cruise and the box will slur through the gears thousands of revs shy of the redline in search of economy. But attack a winding road and the transmission holds gears to the redline, changing down to assist braking and holding gears and revs when required in the engine's heartland above 4000 rpm.
What adds to the enjoyment is the second-gen SLK's front-engine rear-drive C-Class-sourced chassis. It's not sharp like a Porsche Boxster, but it steers with confidence and offers communication. There's strong grip - aided by 17-inch Pirelli PZero Rosso rubber - a flat and neutral stance and progressive and responsive brakes.
The only let-down was the poor ride and noisy suspension over rougher surfaces. Much of this can be traced back to the optional sports suspension the test car had. Doesn't seem worth the $690, frankly.
But dropping the automatic roof in 22 seconds and going for a blast is worthwhile - only shorter drivers will avoid the wind rustling their hair. There's an optional wind net, and I recommend you try it.
Roof up, you get near-coupe levels of quietness and refinement, and visibility, unlike some coupe-cabriolets, is kind to the rear styling. But what you lose with the roof down, of course, is boot space, a deficit not aided by limited in-cabin storage areas as well. While quite well laid out and interesting in its design, the interior stills seems a bit flat. There's not enough razzle-dazzle and too much obvious plastic.
Overall, the second-generation SLK is an improvement over its predecessor. And the 280 doesn't let the side down. Not as quick as the 350, not as well equipped but not as expensive either and just as good-looking.
What's it got?
Alloy wheels; fog lights; dual climate control; single-CD audio; cruise control and speed limiter; leather multi-function steering wheel; leather upholstery; remote central locking; reach and rake steering wheel adjustment; trip computer.
What's missing?
Metallic paint; powered seats; satellite navigation; multi-stacker CD audio; full-size spare wheel.