01-08-2006
More dynamism and sportiness, in other words more driving pleasure, is what Mercedes-Benz now offers with the new Sports Package for the SLK. This package makes the sporty character of this attractive two-seater even more visible and tangible. A lowered sports suspension with
18-inch wheels, a more beefy braking system, an AMG breakaway edge at the rear and, as an option, the new 7G-TRONIC Sport automatic transmission with steering-wheel shift paddles improve the agile handling characteristics of the Roadster even further. In models equipped with V6 engines, a specially developed air filter accentuates these enhancements with an even more throaty sound. The most noticeable highlights in the interior include red seat belts, red topstitching, black roof
lining and black trim, some of which is in carbon-look.
The SLK-Class Roadsters are the market leaders in their segment, and are among the world’s most successful and exciting sports cars. Although sportiness is already a designed-in attribute, Mercedes-Benz is now offering a special sports package for the two-seater which combines two aims: more incomparable driving experience and an even more potent visual impact.
This enhanced sportiness is immediately obvious to the driver in the form of a sports suspension, the large 17-inch braking system with perforated front discs and brake callipers bearing the lettering "Mercedes-Benz". With 225/40 R 18 tyres at the front and 245/35 R 18 at the rear mounted on 18-inch light-alloy wheels in a new 6-twin-spoke design, the running gear pro-vides ample scope for a more sporty style of driving and even more driving enjoyment. The appropriate soundtrack
to this enhanced driving pleasure comes via a special sports air filter (only for SLK 280 and SLK 350) with a powerful, throaty sound.
The even quicker, more direct gearchanges made possible by the M-mode of the optional 7G-TRONIC Sport seven-speed automatic transmission make for an even more singular driving experience, while the steering-wheel shift paddles accentuate the sportiness of the car even further.
Exterior enhancements include headlamps with dark surrounds and a rear breakaway edge adopted from the SLK 55 AMG. These not only underline the dynamic performance of the Roadster, but also improve its aerodynamic qualities even further.
The colour red provides unmistakable visual highlights in the interior of the
SLK-Class equipped with the new sports package. Both the driver and pas-senger wear red seat belts, while the door armrests, seats, leather steering wheel and the gaiter of the leather gearshift lever are enhanced with fine, craftsman-like red topstitching. This concept is continued with floor mats edged in red and eye-catching red needles in the instrument cluster. A strik-ing contrast is provided by black roof lining, black trim to the left and right of the steering wheel, and a
carbon-look trim strip above the glove compart-ment.
The SLK is the acknowledged trendsetter and technological leader among sports cars in its class. In addition to the vario-roof, its outstanding features include
a sophisticated design with cues from Formula One racing and standard head/thorax sidebags, adaptive front airbags and two-stage belt force limit-ers which are activated in two phases according to accident severity. Avail-able
optionally for the SLK-Class is the AIRSCARF neck-level heating system.
Mercedes-Benz is still the world’s only manufacturer to offer such a feature. At the touch of a button AIRSCARF causes warm air to flow from the head restraints, enabling the occupants of the SLK to travel with the roof down even in cooler outside temperatures and enjoy open-air driving all year round. Other technical innovations available optionally for the SLK-Class include automatic climate control, bi-xenon headlamps with cornering light function and the COMAND APS system.
Depending on the engine version, the ex factory cost of the sports package for the SLK-Class is between € 1,148.40 and € 1,612.40.
Text and photos courtesy of Daimler Chrysler AG
