Review Car

2011 Mercedes Benz Slk320

The 2011 Mercedes Benz Slk320 comes in three models, all with a metal hardtop that powers in and out of the trunk. The SLK 320 uses a supercharged 4-cyl engine, the SLK320 a V6, the SLK32 a supercharged V6. The SLK32 has modifications to suspension, transmission, bodywork, and interior, all by Mercedes’ AMG performance team. The SLK230 and SLK320 come with a 6-speed manual transmission or an optional 5-speed automatic with manual shift gate. The SLK32 comes only with the automatic. All include antiskid/traction control, side air bags, and ABS. The SLK320 has 17-inch wheels that are optional on the other models in place of their standard 16s. Also standard is Mercedes’ TeleAid assistance system and its BabySmart right-side air bag deactivation feature. A power-retracting hard top continues, but is reengineered to take up less space when folded and is arched in profile rather than flat. Lower-body styling is completely changed, announced by four closely set oval headlamps bookending an arrow-like nose with twin horizontal air slots. Powertrains change too. Four supercharged engines and four transmissions are apparently on tap for Europe, but the U.S. will get just two models: an entry-level SLK320 Kompressor with a 190-hp 1.8-liter 4-cyl and an SLK270 Kompressor with a 260-hp 2.7 V6.

The 2011 Mercedes Benz Slk320 , powered by a 192-horsepower supercharged four-cylinder engine, is Standard equipment includes state-of-the-art safety equipment as electronic stability control and side-impact air bags. Heated mirrors and a Bose sound system come standard, along with high-performance tires and front and rear fog lights.SLK320, with a 215-horsepower normally aspirated V6. It adds the V6 engine, wood trim for the interior, power seats and a telescoping steering wheel. The Mercedes-Benz SLK has an aggressive front spoiler and grille design and a smoothed profile that makes the car look lowered to the ground. At the same time, a heftier-looking rear bumper and taillamp combination give the car a more substantial stance. Handles, moldings and mirrors are all painted the same color as the body for a more unified look.

Large turn signal repeater lamps built into the rear view mirror housings let other drivers know of your intentions. The 2011 Mercedes Benz Slk320 interior features machined aluminum trim for the SLK320 and a beefy steering wheel, although wood trim, in either brown eucalyptus or black bird’s-eye maple, is available. A year ago, Mercedes redesigned the seats to offer more comfort to more customers. They provide more lateral support to keep you in place is fast cornering. The SLK320 comes standard with electric adjusters that provide a greater range of adjustment than manual ones. From our vantage in the 95th percentile, we found the seats much more comfortable than the old ones. The seats have electronic systems that can tell when there is a passenger present, and can tell when a child seat has been installed, automatically disabling the right-side air bag system. Taller and larger drivers may find the SLK cockpit on the small side with the power top in place. But 25 seconds after you pull back on the red button, the top is completely stowed away under its steel cover in the trunk and the car is transformed into an aggressive roadster. On the other hand, you may have to rearrange your luggage when the top is stowed away in the trunk.