2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK

2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK Test Drives

Driving The New Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class

A car rarely improves from one generation to the next as much as Mercedes' overhauled SLK-Class convertible has. Forbes takes the first test drive.

by Dan Lienert, Forbes.com

Even Mercedes-Benz admits that its outgoing SLK-Class roadster had some problems. For example, Doug Worrell of Mercedes-Benz USA's product management department said at the media introduction for the new 2005 SLK that "we have been criticized in the past for having a sloppy six-speed transmission."

That wasn't all that was wrong with the car, either.

The writers who contribute to this section have never been impressed with the SLK. Besides the sloppy transmission, it was cramped, not responsive enough, underpowered and, dare we say it, too feminine. But even women didn't like it -- or at least not enough of them. In the U.S., sales declined to 6,023 units in 2003 from 7,784 in 2002 -- a drop of 23%. Clearly, buyers knew a stinker when they saw it -- even if it did have a three-pointed star on the hood.

In January, we criticized the SLK's "cramped cockpit, soft styling and underpowered engine." But having taken the first test drive in the overhauled 2005 model, we are astonished at how much improvement the vehicle shows in virtually every respect. Parent company DaimlerChrysler should be proud.

That sloppy six-speed has been replaced with a manual transmission that is more responsive and provides for the kind of short, tight shifts that fast drivers love. (The other new SLK gearbox is a seven-speed automatic transmission -- a $1,375 option and a first for a six-cylinder car.) The new steering wheel is well hefted, allowing for smooth inputs, even if the response could still be a bit more precise in corners.

The pedals -- although they aren't adjustable -- are well-placed for performance maneuvers, such as heel-and-toe downshifting, in which you rev the throttle with half of the foot that is braking, decreasing the strain on the machinery and making the shifts smoother. Lots of torque is available at low engine speeds, which grants you grip and acceleration whenever you want it. The SLK now has its first sports suspension -- an option -- and a great exhaust noise.

What we're trying to tell you is that the new SLK, which went on sale last week for a base price of $45,500, has gone from being the last-place car in a pack of excellent roadsters to being every bit as good as the models Mercedes identifies as the SLK's main competitors: BMW's Z4, Volkswagen's Audi TT and Porsche's Boxster. General Motors may even have something to fear as it is introducing the new Corvette.

In addition to improvements in driving dynamics, the SLK, which is built in Germany, now looks more aggressive. You can read more about this in the slide show that follows, but we'll just point out a few great features of the new design:

An improved retractable hardtop, which allows for 1.8 more cubic feet of trunk space because the back section now folds under the front when closing, instead of closing like a clamshell. The SLK was the first Mercedes with a retractable hardtop. Mercedes then installed the unit on its flagship convertible, the SL-Class, where the improvements were made. You can open the SLK's hardtop from the outside with the key fob.

An attractive new headlight design that includes standard halogen lamps or optional xenon lights, which are more powerful and can change the direction of the beam as the steering wheel turns.

Honeycomb air vents in front.

A rounder and more muscular rear end, featuring larger tail lamps that wrap around the sides of the car and the replacement of a single exhaust pipe with two.

Nanotechnology paint, which features small ceramic particles inside the clear coat for a 40% improvement in scratch resistance.

As you can see, we liked a great deal about the new car. About the only significant problem is that the interior gets a D- for storage space. The map pockets in the doors are very narrow, and a six-CD changer takes up most of the glove box. You can't even fit a CD in the center storage bin. One more storage bin, a unit that is mounted at shoulder-level between the seats, is also narrow. You can fit a couple of CDs and a pair of glasses in there, but not both.

All of that is forgiven, however, considering the SLK's newfound sportiness -- and that's just on the SLK350, the V-6 model we tested. We haven't even touched on the forthcoming SLK55 AMG, which is due out in November. That car will feature a 362-horsepower, 5.5-liter V-8 with 376 pound-feet (lb.-ft.) of torque, not to mention suspension, exhaust and brakes by AMG, Mercedes' hot-rod shop. Mercedes has not announced pricing for the SLK55, but said it will start at under $60,000.

In the meantime, the SLK350 introduces a new SLK-Class with plenty of performance chops. Not thrilled with the stock SLK350? Spend $4,000 for the optional sports package, which gets you AMG front-body cladding, sports wheels and suspension and gearshift buttons on the steering wheel.

Mercedes is planning to build 10,000 new SLKs for the U.S. market next year -- or two-thirds more than they made in 2003. It might seem optimistic, but based on how improved the SLK is, their optimism should be justified.