Mercedes - SLK Euro NCAP - 4 STAR
Classy inside and out, envious admiring glances will follow you everywhere in this stunning sportscar.
Time to sell the biggles scarf, drop the top, set the wind deflector and switch on the optional 'Airscarf' system (which blows warm air out of the head restraints to keep your neck warm) to hit the road for an exhilarating drive alfresco.
All models are fitted with climate control, cruise control, electric front windows, alloy wheels and a CD player, while the 55 AMG has a CD changer and satellite-navigation. The practical folding hardtop goes flat at the touch of a button in 22 seconds.
The SLK is available in 4 petrol engine models. The top of the range SLK55 AMG has a 355bhp 5.5-litre V8 with breathtaking, near supercar performance - 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds. There's also a 161bhp 1.8 supercharged unit, a new 3.0-litre and a silky 3.5 V6. You can choose between a six-speed manual gearbox and a seven-speed automatic.
For such a high performance top of the range sportscar, the SLK, with a F VED Banding, has excellent fuel consumption figures, especially the 200 with extra urban mpg of 43.50.
The previous model scored four stars in the NCAP test, and whilst there's no rating for the current model, given Mercedes was the 2007 winner of the prestigious Whatcar? Safety Award itÂ’s unlikely this standard will fall. Especially as the SLK is loaded with safety features such as two roll-over hoops behind the seats, two-stage airbags for driver and passenger plus head and thorax side bags, seatbelt force limiters, along with Mercedes sophisticated traction and braking control system.
All models come with a 3 year unlimited mileage warranty. In addition you also get a 3 year paint and 12 year anti-corrosion warranty.
About the manufacturer
DaimlerChrysler is committed to at spectrum of pioneering technologies designed to cut fuel consumption and emissions in cars and commercial vehicles. Their 'Energy For The Future' initiative includes; Optimisation of Petrol and Diesel Technology;
Improvement in Conventional Fuels; Production Related Environmental Protection; Development of Regenerative and Synthetic Fuels; Development of alternatives such as Hybrid echnology, Smart ev (zero emissions and up to 72 mpg) and Fuel Cells (water is the only tailpipe emission).
The new Mercedes S class received the world's first environmental certificate for a car when it received certification by TUV. The new C class was the second car ever to be awarded certification.
A true leader in fuel cell transportation, DaimlerChrysler has spent more than U.S $1 billion in fuel cell vehicle research and development. As at Sept 2006, no other manufacturer had accumulated more vehicles or data or driven more zero-emission miles - 1.3 million miles (approx. 2.1 million kilometres).
The DaimlerChrysler fuel cell vehicle fleet is diverse - in addition to several research vehicles it includes more than 30 Mercedes-Benz Citaro buses, which are in operation in Europe, United States, Western Australia, Japan, China and Singapore. As part of the world's largest fleet of fuel cell vehicles, DaimlerChrysler has more than 100 fuel cell vehicles with customers around the world.
DaimlerChrysler pioneered fuel cell vehicle technology more than a decade ago. Fuel cells release energy from the reaction of hydrogen with a catalyst and oxygen. This clean technology operates at a high level of efficiency and is true zero-emissions. Hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles emit only pure water vapour as exhaust. DaimlerChrysler works closely with Ballard Power Systems to develop the fuel cell stack.
Daimler is also looking into biofuels and synthetic fuels and have a project manufacturing Biodiesel made from wild Jatropha shrubs which thrive in poor soil conditions in India. Sundiesel is an advanced 2nd generation biofuel project manufacturing a high quality fuel from Biomass such as wood chippings, with no engine modifications needed.