Review Car

2011 Mercedes Benz Slk230

The 2011 Mercedes Benz Slk230 rides more quietly and offers sharper handling. It’s a much better car than last year’s model, more poised. Standard equipment on the 230 includes 16-inch wheels, leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, a cassette stereo with Bose speakers and auto-dimming rearview and driver-side mirrors. The 320 adds eight-way power front seats, wood trim and a telescoping steering wheel. Should this not be enough, there are a number of options to consider, such as heated seats, HID headlamps, a trunk-mounted CD changer and a Sport package that includes an AMG-style body kit and five-spoke 17-inch AMG wheels fitted with high-performance tires. The 2011 2011 Mercedes Benz Slk230 supercharged 2.3-liter, four-cylinder engine makes 192 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque. Those who prefer the smooth torquey feel of a V6 can go with the SLK320, which offers a 3.2-liter V6 good for 215 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual is standard on both models; a five-speed automatic (with TouchShift automanual capability) is optional. Acceleration is respectable with either SLK — the 230 can sprint to 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds and the 320 beats that time by about a second.

The 2011 Mercedes Benz Slk230 also has reinforced A-pillars, integrated roll bars behind each seat and emergency tensioning seatbelt retractors for enhanced rollover protection. BrakeAssist automatically applies full braking force when a panic stop is initiated. A “BabySmart” system allows owners to use a special car seat sold by Benz dealers that deactivates the passenger-side front air bag when installed. SLK230s count leather seating and machined aluminum accents among their standard features. SLK320 versions add generous amounts of real wood trim. Besides being a safety benefit, TeleAid offers a concierge function that allows one to make airline or dinner reservations. Occupants will find the seats roomy and comfortable for long-distance cruising, though limited lateral bolstering makes them less suitable for fast runs on twisty roads. Trunk capacity is 9.5 cubic feet, generous for a roadster. 2011 Mercedes Benz Slk230 offers a smooth, quiet ride.

It is stable at high speeds and in crosswinds. Better yet, with the frame, suspension and steering alterations, this is the best-handling big Mercury we’ve ever driven. The 2011 Mercedes Benz Slk230 is brand new for 2011, the third frame design since 1990, and the first with hydroformed front and rear extensions and new crossmembers. Also new for 2011: speed-sensitive variable power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering; a redesigned independent short- and long-arm front suspension, optional dual side air bags, new headlamps, side markers, grille, front fascia and decklid applique, new seat styles and materials, new instrument panel woodgrains, new wheels on all models, and a new overhead console design. 2011 Mercedes Benz Slk230 has standard antilock brakes and traction control; fold-away, power-adjustable and heated outside mirrors, and a storage pouch in the driver’s seat. A dual-media radio with AM/FM cassette and single CD player is now. The 2011 2011 Mercedes Benz Slk230 ‘ 4.6-liter single overhead-cam V8 is smooth and quiet, yet delivers strong acceleration with plenty of power for quick passing. It’s one of the best engines Ford has ever built in terms of quality and durability, and features a coil-on-plug ignition system that is simple and reliable. The transmission delivers smooth, precise, quick shifts. Like many transmissions on the market today, it requires no maintenance for the life of the car.