Mercedes SLK 350 in the test: Sportsmen for everyday life

The Mercedes SLK is the entry-level model in the traditional SL series and 350 but far from a base version. The promise of two-seated sports cabrios: lots of fun. Whether it is satisfied, clarifies the test.
What surprised us Mercedes in the SLK number three? A sheet metal hardtop made the first full-year fit for human consumption, the second trained in good weather to all weather riders - thanks to a type neck dryer. And the new will control the Sun. At your fingertips, the panorama roof; darkened It allows through only 20 percent of ultra violet radiation.
Of course technically perfectly works this new unique selling proposition of the Mercedes SLK. The question arises for the meaning of this 2.368 euro expensive gimmicks: other than in a closed Coupe arises as to not just it at least in a convertible, especially in a that (open) (closed) can switch 20 seconds of light in low light. Remains of the Besitzerstolz which will fade only after repeated telling in convivial round.
This all brings a roadster not to itself. Its basic character is finally that oppose minimum limit the elements; the driver and the car not to defy them.
That long has reversed in the Mercedes SLK. Last but not least, its simplicity makes it to the favorite of the women. Order not to scare off this clientele, the draught at the open Mercedes SLK reduces to sliding roof level - if the side Windows are up and the wind deflector between the headrests is mounted. However, the opposite closer a roadster. No problem: The discs zoom down, which has suitable flow-through of the Interior to the result. The wind deflector to remove simply moves into the trunk. There, practical rubber loops in the luggage compartment floor prevent a fly if the fun packs the pilots.
And he is close as on any Mercedes SLK previously. This was ensured by the new chassis with bonds at the c-class and for the first time Adaptive shock absorbers. The latter are recommended (antihasia euros), given that they are delivered in conjunction with already mostly desired lowering (10 mm) and the pleasant direct sport parameter steering. This makes the SLK to the quick-change artists: he can use all Gaits of the aimless Herumstreunen about the travelling up to with swimming in the morning rush hour, in which the perfectly coordinated, standard start stop system plays his skills.
First the chassis of the Mercedes SLK athletic tight, is reflected in the test until it goes to the nitty-gritty. The served potholes are opulent, the better they are digested by the Adaptive dampers. Even in the position they must open sport not overwhelmed. Only on the highway an inclination towards lifting movements evident, if short bumps in quick succession to the einprasseln 18-incher subject to additional. A short depression of the damper switch, and the comfort voting calms the situation immediately.
Anyway, the mode is the choice for all fun lines normal. Then, comfort and driving dynamics are in the Mercedes SLK in perfect balance. A chassis that is not the wet dream of a dynamic freak, but takes into account the sad reality of road construction.
More so than his predecessor masters even tricky passages without pause to the Mercedes SLK, and he gets tangled up never in the thicket of the curve. It helps that he has remained compact and defies the big is beautiful madness. There are virtually no roads too narrow or too bad, their labelling as a lower order is contrary to the letter of recommendation - there is convertible country.
Mercedes in the SLK 350 on everything has thought beyond the driving fun In the large glove box of Mercedes SLK ballpoint pen, bank card and coins in brackets can be place, the operation of the everyday functions is self-explanatory; only who tries to comand online for 3.070 euro, must work itself. Then is your route planning with three-dimensional represented cities to services - and the system is internet-capable, so Web pages via Google are available. There are of course also a slot for digital storage media.
Such contemporary features counteracts the Mercedes SLK test car with upper class Tumeleien as optional root wood. With the standard aluminium fits better to the Extrovert ventilation nozzles as SLS quote. The cross seams of the sports seats are great, however, baseball-style (leather package nappa 1.892 euro)-a feast for the eyes, that makes the Mercedes as something special and long should maintain the Besitzerstolz.
Fortunately, the Mercedes SLK is no tempo denier, so you must not constantly consult the speed limit indicator integrated in the comand. On the contrary, in particular the small athlete leaves feel the speed. To do this is that the 3, 5-litre V6 of the test vehicle is no instigator, feels comfortable but above all from 2,000 to 5,000 rpm and the articulated with rauchigem timbre.
At the Rotary joy could still to file. It is missing the savagery which expect 306 PS, what shown also by the narrow failure of plant information. It is located on the standard seven-speed automatic It switches unobtrusive and experienced. Who sees his Mercedes SLK but as a sports car, should the paddles on the steering wheel order (274 euro) and cause the gear change itself.
Mercedes has optimized the lean combustion thanks to so-called layer combustion processes and direct injection with up to 200 bar next. An average of about 7.7 litres per 100 km can be implemented; in the testing, there are but higher 11.1. This is almost a liter in the consumption of detached Mercedes SLK 350. Thus, the five stars are the new safe.
At the end of the test, just the enthusiasm is predominant. An exit in the predecessor left in particular a content feeling of satiety, subtly glowing cheeks as a testimony to a hot RITTS are added at the current Mercedes SLK. Inevitably one wonders when a Mercedes had last so much pepper in the butt and mastered the everyday life at the same time so competently.
Still considering crosses the thought: now, as there is the Mercedes SLK Jack-of-all-trades - which purchase basic beyond representative road presence speaks actually for the significantly more expensive SL?