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2012 Mercedes SLK 250 CDI
 
Mercedes-Benz has announced that they will be debuting their updated model for their flagship SLK convertible at the Frankfurt Auto Show, but with an unprecedented twist by the German luxury brand: it’s a diesel. That’s right, for the first time, the SLK will feature a turbocharged-four diesel engine. The 2012 SLK 250 CDI comes full of new features and a few drips of technology including their 7G-TRONIC PLUS transmission, magic sky roof, and the airscarf. More than just a few upgrades, the new super-sleep SLK offers an elongated ride lending to more cabin and trunk space, an improved steering control and braking system to handle the diesel oomph, and three other petrol engines if you so choose. At $60,065, it’s one of the more expensive roadsters in its market, but promises to be fun, and of course, luxurious. Hit the jump to read on about the 2012 SLK 250 CDI. Full story 2012 Mercedes SLK by Brabus
While everyone is still waiting for the new Mercedes SLK55 AMG, German tuner Brabus has decided to give a little flavor to the recently launched SLK-Class. Their target was to provide a good idea as to what the future AMG model will look like, so they included exterior and interior updates and a few engine tricks to spice things up. For starters, Brabus added a new front spoiler lip, side skirts, rear apron with new diffusers, and a boot lid wing. This was followed by new tailpipes and the obligatory new set of wheels, offered in 18", 19", or 20". The wheels can be ordered in a Mono block VI double spoke Design, Mono block A six-spoke Design, Mono block S double spoke Design, Mono block E 9, F, and Q series. We can’t imagine the interior was a major focus for this tuning project as there are not many changes from the standard SLK and the AMG model. Just as well, the tuner added leather upholstery, aluminum trims in matte finish, aluminum pedals, steel door sills, and floor mats with the Brabus logo. What the AMG model will have that the standard SLK does not is a boost in power. Since the point of this package was to make a pseudo-SLK AMG, Brabus is offering two engine upgrade levels. The first includes an ECO PowerXtra cgi B20 that provides a jump of 26 HP and the second is the PowerXtra cgi B20 S that adds 41 HP, which leaves the SLK with 328 HP and 343 HP, respectively. New Mercedes Engine reported to power the new C class AMG
In the modern age many models have been adorned with engines that feature turbochargers or superchargers in the pursuit of greater efficiency and higher speeds . Now with gas hovering close to $4 a gallon Mercedes Benz has carved their own path to introduce emissions reducing methods in addition to raising fuel efficiency . Mercedes Benz’s AMG division latest 5.5 liter V8 follows this automotive pied piper. This engine which makes its debut in the 2012 Mercedes Benz SLK 55 AMG will feature cylinder deactivation. This system according to Car and Driver" Cylinders 2, 3, 5, and 8 will deactivate depending on speed and engine load, but we’re told the engine will be able to run up to 3600 rpm in four-cylinder mode; if a changeover is required, it takes just 30 milliseconds to fire up the cylinders again." In order to save further fuel this engine is fitted with a start/stop system. But for don’t think for a minute it will become a sluggish elderly golf cart. This engine even with all these efficiency adjustments this 5.5 liter V8 power plant pumps out a throaty 422 horsepower and a 398 ft/lbs of torque. This is a healthy 62 hp and 22 ft/lbs of torque increase over the outgoing SLK 55 AMG . The bad news is that if this is slotted into the next C63 it will represent a significant power reduction of 31 horsepower and 45 lbs/ft of torque. We see this as a step forward for Mercedes and perhaps the beginning of the end for the big engined AMG Mercedes. Perhaps, this is the beginning of a new level of performance that turns away from V17 monster that runs on baby seal towards a more balanced car. 2011 Mercedes SLK R172 Accurian RS by Piecha
Summer is just around the corner so to prepare your vehicle for those long rides on the beach, Piecha Design is offering their new "Accurian RS" package for owners of the Mercedes SLK. It doesn’t provide any extra oomph, but it will ensure the driver is riding in style with some nice exterior updates. The new Accurian RS package combines a new front spoiler lip with lateral grids and a nifty cover that turns the grids into a three-part piece. The front of the Mercedes also gets LED daytime running lights on the right and left side before shifting the eye to the new side skirt covers and then the new rear diffuser (available in small or large versions). Still at the back of the car, the owner will receive QUADRO 4-tube mufflers on a reworked AMG styling rear apron and a classic rear spoiler lip. The car sits on black 19" wheels that are highlighted by the 25 mm lowering springs. The tuner is also offering a practical comfort top control, which allows for opening and closing of the top via the serial key. This feature will work for speeds of up to 37 mph. 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class
After quite a long time now, and many teaser images, Mercedes has finally dropped the official details on the 2012 Mercedes SLK Roadster. The model gets a totally new design, inspired by the legendary 190 SL from the 1950s, an innovative interior with features like Magic Sky Control. The US market will get two petrol models - SLK 350 and SLK 250 - and, for the first time, a new 250 CDI model. Depending on the trim the new SLK will get a V6 or a four-cylinder engine, or the brand new diesel variant. The diesel powered Merc will get a 2.1 liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine dishing out 204 horsepower and 396 pound-feet of torque. These engines will be mated to a six-speed manual or a 7G‑TRONIC PLUS transmission. The fuel economy has been considerable improved, while the top speed is limited as usual at 155 mph. UPDATE 10/13/2011 : Mercedes has unveiled new images of the new generation SLK-Class. Check them out in the gallery provided! Hit the jump to read more about the 2012 Mercedes SLK Roadster. Full story Mercedes will bring new concept and new AMG model to NY Auto Show
Mercedes has its slots filled for this year’s New York Auto Show, as the company will be unveiling the new C63 AMG Coupe, a new concept car, and another AMG model during the show. If we take previous marketing exploitations as a hint of the future, then expect to see the SLS AMG Roadster teased back in February in the Mercedes Super Bowl commercial on this roster as the second AMG model. As for the concept car, it will surely follow along the usual concept criteria, which involves previewing the company’s future technology. Alongside the three models making their world premieres, Mercedes will also be busy with another three models making their North American debuts: the Mercedes-Benz SLK Roadster, C-Class Coupe, and C-Class will all be in attendance to strut their stuff for the American crew. Hang tight and we’ll bring more coverage of the event and news of Mercedes’ expected debuts as soon as we get it. 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLK Final Performance RS by Piecha
While everyone is waiting for the new R171 generation Mercedes SLK, tuners are still preparing some cool packages for the recently discontinued model. One of those tuners is Piecha Design who have prepared the “Final Performance RS EDITION,” in order to say good bye to a pretty cool car. The send-off package includes a distinctive front-spoiler bumper with integrated LED daytime running lights, wedge-shaped side skirts with air intakes, a rear bumper with a wide grid core and diffuser vane, and a rear spoiler lip. The vehicle also carries Piecha dp2 Phantom rims in a 19 inch (front) & 20 inch (rear) size with the use of 225/35 front tires and 265/25 rear tires. The package also includes lowering springs from H&R, a new set of dp2 Phantom rims, black anodized aluminum aero wings, and special wind deflector with the signed “Final Performance RS Edition” logo. These additions are pretty cool, but the highlight of the vehicle is the legendary PIECHA power converter. This converter allows the vehicle to take in all of the power of the engine without even thinking twice about it. We’d love to tell you the amount of power this converter is facilitating, but Piecha have yet to announce these numbers. Press release after the jump. Full story Magic Sky Control? Mercedes explains with new shots of the 2012 SLK
We’ve already caught a glimpse of the future Mercedes SLK featuring the brand’s new Magic Sky Control system with a spy shot captured a little over a week ago, and although finally seeing the technology cleared up the questions we had about its aesthetics, the whole technology part is still a little unclear. In an attempt to part the clouds of uncertainty, Mercedes has released a series of images that they are hoping will explain this phenomenon. Magic Sky Control is in fact a transparent glass roof that can be darkened on demand in a matter of seconds. It’s like the transitional lenses people wear that go from clear to dark when stepping out into the sun. It works by using electrically-governed particles that shift to allow only a certain amount of UV light into the car. The technology is said to help keep away UV and infrared rays and can reduce the 1,000 watts per square meter into a measly 50-200 watts. Bringing that shade to the interior of the vehicle should make for quite a pleasant driving experience during those warm, sunny days. The images provided by Mercedes include results from testing performed on the new Magic Sky technology. The tests were done at temperatures higher that 50 degrees Celsius in the shade, and, with an open roof, the load from the sun in the heat of Death Valley reached 1000 to 1100 W per square meter. With the transparent glass roof it dropped to 200 W, and when the roof was switched to darkened mode with MAGIC SKY CONTROL, it dropped to 40 to 50 W – 1/20th of the original value. Don’t get too excited though; the Magic Sky Control doesn’t come cheap. The price for this technology is an extra 2,000 euro ($2,700 at the current exchange rates) on top of the base price for the car. Press release after the jump. Full story Next Mercedes SLK with Magic Sky Control spied
The first teaser image of the next generation Mercedes SLK already revealed that the future sports car will be offered with a new system called "Magic Sky Control," but the full-on look of the technology has been spied in these first shots taken of the future Mercedes. Kind of deflates the importance of the teaser image, doesn’t it? The transparency of this panorama roof is controlled by electrically-governed particles that can shift to adjust how much light is filtered into the car. The technology is said to help keep away UV and infrared rays and can reduce the 1,000 watts per square meter into a measly 50-200 watts. Impressive, but you can’t get it for free. The price for this technology is an extra 2,000 euro ($2,700 at the current exchange rates) on top of the base price for the car. The base SLK should have around 230 HP from a six-cylinder motor, while the higher end versions could get a 3.5-liter. There were rumors about a turbocharged four-cylinder, but that doesn’t seem likely. The AMG version will probably have the new 5.5-liter turbocharged V8. Next Mercedes SLK teased
As you probably know by now, the next generation SLK will be making its world debut sometime next year. And as these things go, Mercedes will be pulling the same teaser image nonsense that we have seen time and time again (Lamborghini Sesto Elemento ring a bell?). The first teaser for the future sports car reveals a glass roof for the SLK which Merc says can be adjusted thanks to a new system called "Magic Sky Control" seen here on a pre-production SLK R 172 prototype. The transparency of this panorama roof is controlled by electrically-governed particles that can shift to adjust how much light is filtered into the car. The technology is said to help keep away UV and infrared rays and can reduce the 1,000 watts per square meter into a measly 50-200 watts. Impressive, but you can’t get it for free. The price for this technology is an extra 2,000 euro ($2,700 at the current exchange rates) on top of the base price for the car. Meanwhile, the Mercedes SLK is still scampering about with its bland black camouflage, so we’ll have to wait for more teasers to appear to get better details for the next generation sports car. | Mercedes SLK-Class latest reviews:Mercedes SLK-Class tuning:
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