Mercedes Benz SLK-Class Design Inspired
What Edmunds Says
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK carries on its predecessor's strengths, while improving in a number of areas to make it an even more desirable luxury convertible.
Pros
Abundant standard features; innovative roof and interior comfort options; well-built cabin; strong and efficient engines; comfortable ride; relatively large trunk.
Abundant standard features; innovative roof and interior comfort options; well-built cabin; strong and efficient engines; comfortable ride; relatively large trunk.
Cons
No manual transmission on SLK350; no sunshade with regular glass roof panel; comparatively tight cabin.
In total, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK takes the strengths of its predecessor and augments them with the same sort of improvements that we've seen elsewhere in other refreshed Mercedes models. The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class is a two-seat convertible with a retractable hardtop roof. There are SLK250 and SLK350 trim levels, which are primarily differentiated by engine.
Standard equipment on the SLK250 includes 17-inch wheels, automatic wipers, LED running lights, auto-dimming rearview and driver mirrors, cruise control, automatic climate control, eight-way power front seats and four-way lumbar adjustment, driver memory functions, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, vinyl upholstery, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and an eight-speaker sound system with a CD player, HD radio and a USB audio jack. The SLK350 gets 18-inch wheels and sun-reflective leather upholstery (optional on the SLK250).
The Premium 1 package adds remote roof activation, heated seats, the "AirScarf" neck-level heating system, and a Harman Kardon sound system with satellite radio and an iPod interface. The Lighting package adds adaptive bi-xenon headlights with washers. Opting for the Multimedia package nets you a larger central screen, a navigation system, voice controls, a six-CD/DVD changer and 10GB of digital music storage. The Distronic Plus package adds adaptive cruise control and Mercedes' PreSafe crash readiness technology. The Sport package includes 18-inch AMG wheels, styling adjustments and interior ambient lighting. The Dynamic Handling package gets a two-mode adjustable suspension and enhanced brakes.
Stand-alone options include parking sensors, a glass roof panel, a dimming glass roof panel, a wind deflector, keyless ignition/entry, dual-zone automatic climate control and upgraded leather upholstery. Powertrains and Performance.
The rear-wheel-drive 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK250 is powered by a turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder that produces 201 hp and 229 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, while a seven-speed automatic is optional. Mercedes estimates this car will accelerate to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds. Estimated fuel economy with the automatic transmission is 23 mpg city/31 mpg highway.
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 gets a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 302 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. The seven-speed auto is standard. In Edmunds performance testing, it went from zero to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds -- a few tenths slower than the Z4 sDrive35i. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 20 mpg city/29 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined.
No manual transmission on SLK350; no sunshade with regular glass roof panel; comparatively tight cabin.
In total, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK takes the strengths of its predecessor and augments them with the same sort of improvements that we've seen elsewhere in other refreshed Mercedes models. The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class is a two-seat convertible with a retractable hardtop roof. There are SLK250 and SLK350 trim levels, which are primarily differentiated by engine.
Standard equipment on the SLK250 includes 17-inch wheels, automatic wipers, LED running lights, auto-dimming rearview and driver mirrors, cruise control, automatic climate control, eight-way power front seats and four-way lumbar adjustment, driver memory functions, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, vinyl upholstery, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and an eight-speaker sound system with a CD player, HD radio and a USB audio jack. The SLK350 gets 18-inch wheels and sun-reflective leather upholstery (optional on the SLK250).
The Premium 1 package adds remote roof activation, heated seats, the "AirScarf" neck-level heating system, and a Harman Kardon sound system with satellite radio and an iPod interface. The Lighting package adds adaptive bi-xenon headlights with washers. Opting for the Multimedia package nets you a larger central screen, a navigation system, voice controls, a six-CD/DVD changer and 10GB of digital music storage. The Distronic Plus package adds adaptive cruise control and Mercedes' PreSafe crash readiness technology. The Sport package includes 18-inch AMG wheels, styling adjustments and interior ambient lighting. The Dynamic Handling package gets a two-mode adjustable suspension and enhanced brakes.
Stand-alone options include parking sensors, a glass roof panel, a dimming glass roof panel, a wind deflector, keyless ignition/entry, dual-zone automatic climate control and upgraded leather upholstery. Powertrains and Performance.
The rear-wheel-drive 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK250 is powered by a turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder that produces 201 hp and 229 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, while a seven-speed automatic is optional. Mercedes estimates this car will accelerate to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds. Estimated fuel economy with the automatic transmission is 23 mpg city/31 mpg highway.
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 gets a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 302 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. The seven-speed auto is standard. In Edmunds performance testing, it went from zero to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds -- a few tenths slower than the Z4 sDrive35i. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 20 mpg city/29 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined.
