Autoblog

Click above for high-res gallery of the current Mercedes SLK

While Porsche reportedly mulls the idea of a four-cylinder Boxster and Audi offers a TDI version of its iconic TT, Mercedes-Benz is now reportedly preparing to offer a diesel engine in its next-generation SLK.

The unit in question will be the same 2.2-liter "BlueEfficiency" 4-cylinder twin-turbo diesel currently offered in the C250 sedan, where it returns a claimed 54.3 mpg while spewing out just 138g/km of carbon dioxide. Although to previous generations the idea of a diesel convertible remains an anathema, the advance of particulate filter and common rail injnection technologies now common among the most advanced diesel engines make them a viable, earth-friendly option for open-air motoring. Unfortunately, no mention was made whether or not the diesel SLK will be offered in the U.S., which is a tough question for all automakers to answer when it comes to diesels thanks to stricter diesel emissions standards in California and other states compared to the rest of the country.

[Source: Automotive News – subs. req'd]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2008 Mercedes SLK55 AMG

It sits there, all tension and sinew, ready to pounce on lesser cars. Start it up and it barks with a clear V8 voice that thumps off the neighbor's house, setting them discreetly peeking from behind their lace curtains. This is an SLK? Oh yeah. No longer a blocky Benz with dwarfism, the SLK55 AMG ripples with muscle and delivers speed like a spin kick to the temple. A bad-ass Mercedes, indeed.


Photos Copyright ©2008 Dan Roth / Weblogs, Inc.

Apparently Mercedes-Benz will finally offer a glass roof on its SLK hardtop convertible, similar to the one fitted to the little coupe's big brother, the SL. The two-piece roof looks very similar to the SL's, with the only discernible difference from the standard SLK being a slightly tweaked C-pillar. Aside from that, nothing else will change except that occupants can finally enjoy scenic surrounds while being isolated from uncomfortable climes.

[Source: World Car Fans]

click above for more images of the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG

We brought you a single pic of the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG on Christmas Day, but Merc has released everything it's got on the über roadster and it looks like what we reported then was correct. The car doesn't receive nearly as thorough a refreshening as its slower siblings, but does get smoked headlamps and a different chin treatment, opting for the single blacked-out lower air intake rather than the F1-inspired split front apron on lesser SLK models. Out back the faux diffuser and dual quadrezoidal (we just made up that word) tailpipes are gone, replaced by a set of dual oval pipes flanking what looks like a skid plate of some sort.

Performance-wise the SLK 55 AMG carries over largely unchanged, which means you'll still find AMG's 5.5L V8 underhood producing 360 hp and 376 ft-lbs. of torque. The AMG Speedshift 7G-TRONIC transmission returns, as well. New this year is the SLK's direct steering system with variable servo assistance, which reduces the amount of turns needed to go from lock to lock and makes turning an easier effort on the driver. Also new are a set of 18-inch AMG twin-spoke wheels, on top of which the car can accelerate to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds. Remember when that was supercar territory ten years ago? Now it can be had in a cut little roadster from Mercedes-Benz.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

click above image to view high-res gallery

Mercedes recently rolled out a facelift for the SLK-Class roadster, along with a few mechanical changes to the line-up's supercharged four-cylinder and 3.5-liter V6. But while the spec sheet for top-of-the-line SLK 55 AMG carries on largely unchanged, the 2008 model has also been treated to a few cosmetic changes.

The first thing to go when AMG gets its hands on a Mercedes is the front bumper, so while the more pedestrian four- and six-cylinder SLK models get a new, more F1-esque front end treatment, the V8 version throws that out the window. In its place is a wider mouth with a blacked-out lower lip, flanked by side vents and capped by smoked headlamps. The SLK's new taillights carry over onto the AMG model, but again the clear section is smoked, underneath which is found a different rear bumper than the standard version's integrating quad round tailpipes in place of the standard square twins. Otherwise, the same sweet AMG-tuned 5.5-liter V8 carries over unchanged, which we think is a good thing.

As with the first images of the 2008 SLK, pictures of the AMG model have surfaced online before Mercedes has made them available, so we'll have to get back to you when the official pics are released, along with the AMG aero kits for the standard SLK range. In the meantime, enjoy these courtesy of our friends at CarScoop.

[Source: CarScoop]

click above image for high-res gallery of the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK

The image we showed you yesterday of the facelifted 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK has been proven to be the real deal as the German automaker has officially unveiled the new roadster this morning. As we reported yesterday, the tweaks to the SLK's front end bring it even more in line with the style of an F1 car's nose, for better or worse, while the rear actually gets a cleaner, smoother look with a faux diffuser affixed between the trapezoidal tailpipes. In addition to exterior enhancements, the 2009 model also gets an updated interior with an instrument panel design we actually find appealing and a new three-spoke steering wheel. The availability of "gullwing red" leather for the seats and interior trim that harkens back to the appointments of the original 300 SL is also a nice touch. Two new heavily revised engines join the familiar 5.5L V8 of the AMG model that carries over, including a revised kompressor (supercharged) four-cylinder producing 184 hp/184 lb.-ft of torque and a new 3.5L V6 producing a healthy 305 hp/265 lb.-ft of torque. Both engines also get better fuel economy and emit less CO2 than their predecessors, which is a plus. While a five-speed automatic and six-speed manual are available, we'd opt for the 7G-TRONIC Sport seven-speed automatic to carve up the powerband, and there's a new all-mechanical direct-steer system that seems pretty trick. Pricing for the new SLK, at least in the European market is below.

• SLK 200 KOMPRESSOR: € 36,503.25
• SLK 280: € 41,858.25
• SLK 350 with sports engine: € 46,975.25
• SLK 55 AMG: € 69,049.75

(incl. VAT in each case)

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Click on the image above to view in high resolution

We've been seeing spy shots of the upcoming facelifted Mercedes-Benz SLK for some time now, awaiting its unveiling to see what those zany Germans have been up to on the baby SL, and now the first factory-released images have surfaced on the internet.

The most prevalent changes have been made cosmetically to the front end, where Mercedes seeks to capitalize even further on its ties with Formula One – not only does Mercedes partner in the McLaren team, but the SLK itself can often be seen pulling duty as safety car at grands prix. The F1-style nose and front bumper are accompanied by new tail-lights out back and a refreshed interior with redesigned seats and a more subdued center console.

The updated SLK also benefits from a revised 3.5-liter V6 with an anticipated 10 extra horsepower over the current version. More details will be made available as we close in on the car's official unveiling in the spring, but we'll be on the look-out in the meantime, so watch this space. Mercedes-Benz does not yet have the images up on its press site, so enjoy these branded pics courtesy of AutoExpress in the meantime - check out the gallery below.

[Source: AutoExpress]

2008 is going to be a hectic year for the engineers responsible for new product launches at Mercedes-Benz. The team in Stuttgart have one all-new, one redesigned and five refreshed models coming before this time next year. Mercedes will jump into the compact crossover segment for the first time with the all-new GLK, which we'll finally get to see minus all the spy photo disguises. The GLK should turn up in concept form at Geneva with a production launch later in the year.

Another new badge, if not a whole new car, is the CLC. Formerly known as the C-Class Sport Coupe, this two-door hatchback coupe gets fresh styling on the old C-Class chassis. As for the five existing models getting mid-cycle refreshes, both the SL and SLK roadsters are getting nose jobs and butt lifts. Their overall looks remain the same, but lights get reshaped and grilles get updated in a manner similar to the new C-Class. A similar treatment will also be applied to the big CLS foor-door "coupe" and the small A- and B-Class hatchbacks.

[Source: AutoCar]

Those octane junkies in Affalterbach never seem to tire of developing new, more powerful engines and shoehorning them into everything with four wheels and a three-pointed star. The Mercedes AMG website is featuring a cryptic bit of flash animation that shows the back end of an unknown new product speeding through a haze, accompanied by the caption that reads, "In July... the fog lifts." Hey, wait a minute... July... that's this month!

The indication that Benz' in-house tuning division is preparing, in short order, to release a new model naturally leads to speculation over just what that new model might be. One definite possibility could be the impending AMG version of the newly-released C-Class, on which spy shots and information have been trickling in of late. Aside from a C63 AMG, we can speculate based on AMG's current line-up of fire-snorting models, which places the division's latest 6.3-liter V8 in every Mercedes model except for three: the G-Class SUV, the outgoing C-Class wagon, and the SLK roadster, all of which still use the outgoing 5.5-liter engine.

Thanks for the tip everyone!

[Source: Mercedes AMG via eMercedes-Benz]

Mercedes has some hot-selling models in the SL, SLK and CLS, but the German automaker isn't about to sit around twiddling its thumbs. Instead they're working on facelifts for all three, poised to hit the market around this time next year.

The changes to the three models are expected to be mostly cosmetic, with little mechanical differences over the versions currently available. But of the three, the SL is tipped to get the most substantial face-lift, with insiders deriving from the spy shots that the new SL will do away with the circular headlamps in favor of the boomerang-shaped lights borrowed from the CLS.

Its little brother, meanwhile, is also getting a minor update, details of which we brought you just last week.

In advance of an anticipated onslaught from competitors entering the segment, the CLS four-door coupe is getting what appears to be a little butt-lift and a new grille borrowed from the CL coupe.

If the sources are correct and the SL adopts the headlights from the CLS, it could become a new corporate styling element across Mercedes' coupe and convertible range.

[Source: Car magazine]