In the U.S., Mercedes-Benz is planning a full attack this year starting with the launch of the second-generation CLS sports saloon in June. Today, the Stuttgart-based premium carmaker released a list outlining the arrival dates and the changes for its 2012 model year cars and SUVs in the States. Follow the jump to check it out in detail.
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For the time being, the German automaker has announced pricing only for the 2012 SLK350 that will start at $54,800, not including a $875 destination and delivery charge, which raises the cost to $55,675. In comparison, the soon-to-be-replaced 300-horsepower 2011 SLK350 is priced at $54,145 (including transportation fee).
While we can only speculate on the unnamed concept model, it is very likely that the AMG production car is the SLS AMG Roadster as it was recently teased in the German firm’s SuperBowl commercial.
As for the North American motorshow debuts, these are new 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350, C-Class Coupe, and C-Class (the latter was shown at a special media event on the sidelines of the Detroit Show in January).
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The third-generation of the SLK keeps the two-piece folding hardtop of its predecessors but gets a fresh design with styling cues from both the SLS AMG and the new CLS. It also comes with as a new range of fuel-efficient engines, including a 1.8-liter force-fed four-cylinder with either 184HP or 204HP, and a 3.5-liter V6 delivering 306HP in Europe and 302HP in North America.
Other highlights include the addition of the panoramic vario-roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL, which switches to light or dark at the touch of a button, and the new COMAND system with 7-inch color display and central controller. Hit the jump for the complete gallery that also includes sketches and photos of the development prototypes like the one pictured above.
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The latter was the brainchild of Maximilian Edwin Hoffman, an enterprising American with Austrian roots who imported European cars to the USA. In 1953, after seeing the potential of a more affordable sports car than the 300 SL, he urged Daimler-Benz executives to build one.
The 190 SL was unveiled on February 6, 1954, in New York, alongside the 300 SL “gullwing”. It was designed more as an elegant two-seater touring model than a purebred sports car. It took engineers only five months to develop the open-top car, which used a shortened frame floor assembly from the Mercedes 180 (W120), combined with a single-joint swing axle sourced from the 220 (W180). The front suspension also came from the 180 model.
Under the bonnet, the 190 SL had a newly developed 105HP 1.9-liter four-cylinder engine with an overhead camshaft. Performance was good for the era, as the roadster could complete the 0-to-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint in 14 seconds and reach a top speed of over 170 km/h (106 mph).
Series production began in May 1955 and the 190 SL was available as a soft-top roadster as well as a coupe with removable hardtop, with or without the soft-top as an option.
Between May 1955 and February 1963, 25,881 units rolled off the assembly lines in Sindelfingen, well above the initial estimates.
By Csaba Daradics
Source URL: https://ashesgarrett.blogspot.com/search/label/Mercedes%20SLK
The third generation of Merc's roadster comes with a two-piece foldable metal roof top and a choice of a force-fed 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine available in two states of tune, or a 3.5-liter V6 motor. In Europe, the 2012 SLK will be available for order starting from next week, while U.S. sales will begin this summer. Click here for more details or follow the jump to watch the videos.
The third generation of Merc's roadster comes with a two-piece foldable metal roof top and a choice of a force-fed 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine available in two states of tune, or a 3.5-liter V6 motor. In Europe, the 2012 SLK will be available for order starting from next week, while U.S. sales will begin this summer. Click here for more details or follow the jump to watch the videos.
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Claimed to offer a 25% increase in fuel economy compared to the previous model, in Europe, the SLK will be available with three engines, all of them featuring direct injection and stop/start systems.
Filling in the base model's shoes is the SLK 200 BlueEfficiency variant, powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder powerplant, capable of 184 hp. Mated to a seven-speed 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission, the four-pot needs just 6.1 liters of gasoline per 100 km (38.6 US mpg) in the combined cycle. The SLK 200 sprints to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7 seconds and has a top speed of 237 km/h (147 mph).
Read more »Source URL: https://ashesgarrett.blogspot.com/search/label/Mercedes%20SLK
Claimed to offer a 25% increase in fuel economy compared to the previous model, in Europe, the SLK will be available with three engines, all of them featuring direct injection and stop/start systems.
Filling in the base model's shoes is the SLK 200 BlueEfficiency variant, powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder powerplant, capable of 184 hp. Mated to a seven-speed 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission, the four-pot needs just 6.1 liters of gasoline per 100 km (38.6 US mpg) in the combined cycle. The SLK 200 sprints to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7 seconds and has a top speed of 237 km/h (147 mph).
Next up is the SLK 250 BlueEfficiency, fitted with the same engine, but tuned to deliver 204 hp. It accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 6.6 seconds and maxes out at 243 km/h (151 mph). Furthermore, the extra oomph doesn’t take its toll at the pump, as the SLK 250 consumes 6.2 lt/100 km (38 US mpg).
The top dog of the line-up will be the SLK 350 BlueEfficiency, motivated by a newly developed 306-horsepower 3.5-liter V6. The bevy of technology found under the bonnet helps the range-topping SLK return good mileage as well (7.1 lt/100 km or 33 mpg) and sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.6 seconds. Top speed is pegged at 250 km/h or 155 mph.
In the U.S., the new generation of Merc's roadster model will be offered in two variants, the 302HP SLK 350 (0-60mph in 5.4 sec) and the 201HP 1.8-liter four-cylinder SLK 250 (0-60mph in 6.5 sec, 27mpg combined with the standard 6-speed manual gearbox).
The base models will come with a conventional steel suspension, while optional goodies include a sports suspension with harder springs and dampers and the Dynamic Handling Package with continuous adjustable damping, further refined by a better steering system and torque vectoring brakes.
There are plenty of electronic gadgets on the menu as well. Aside from the innovative (and optional) Magic Sky Control panoramic glass-roof, owners will also be able to enjoy the benefits of the Airguide draught-stop and Airscarf heating system, ensuring that open-top motoring is possible even in cold weather.
Regarding safety, Mercedes says the new body structure offers better protection, complemented by active features, such as PreSafe and Presafe Brake.
The 2012 Mercedes SLK can be ordered in Europe from January 17, for a base price of 38,675 euros (SLK 200), including VAT. The more powerful variants will cost 44,256 (SLK 250) and 52,300 (SLK 350) euros.
To mark the launch of the car, Mercedes will offer a special edition equipment package. Named “Edition 1”, the package includes a panoramic vario-roof, Dynamic Handling package, AMG bodykit, two-tone Designo nappa leather with contrasting topstitching, Airscarf, ambient lighting and more. Additional charges range from 8,490 to 8,990 euros, depending on the model.
Sales in the U.S. start this summer with pricing to be announced at a later date.
By Csaba Daradics
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Source URL: https://ashesgarrett.blogspot.com/search/label/Mercedes%20SLK
