Words Manny N. de los Reyes
First, a word of warning: Do not get in this car if you cannot handle all the glances,
stares, and double takes that the P3,950,000 all-new second-generation Mercedes-Benz SLK
Kompressor will inevitably elicit on the road - and that is with the top up. Now imagine the
looks that you'll get with the top down?
Mercedes' new entry-level roadster bears a striking resemblance to the 600-plus-hp Mercedes
SLR. It borrows the SLR's F1-inspired visage highlighted by a prominent
"power" bulge that sweeps down the long, long hood across the grille, where it frames the Mercedes star
logo, all the way down to the bumper.
From the side the car looks powerfully compact and purposeful. Overhangs are short, particularly at the
rear, giving it almost a hotrod look. Aggressive-looking alloy wheels are wrapped by wide high-performance
tires that are barely covered by muscularly flared fenders. The rear is unmistakably Mercedes and is capped by
twin gleaming tailpipes.
Under the hood lies a new supercharged engine displacing 1.8 liters for a 163-hp output and a healthy 240 Nm
of torque (at 3000rpm).The car's performance comes mostly from the plentiful torque - enough to give the
3000-pound roadster spirited acceleration.
Tech-wise, the TWINPULSE engine is not wanting. The TWINPULSE system boasts variably adjustable camshafts
and four valves per cylinders for better breathing, balancer shafts for smoothness, an intercooler for a denser
air/fuel intake charge and the aforementioned supercharger which lends the car its Kompressor name.
We drove the SLK along the roads of Fort Bonifacio and were impressed by the car's responsive handling without
the usual downside of a harsh or stiff ride (I purposely ran over potholes and other road imperfections to get a feel
of riding comfort).
Space inside the leather-lined cabin is on the cozy side although height-adjustable seats and steering wheel should
enable tall drivers to fit. Ergonomics, materials and build quality are first rate. Design-wise, the cockpit is a bit, to
borrow a Mercedes term, avant garde. The hooded instrument panel houses two circular binnacles for the speedometer
and tachometer. The middle of the dashboard flows down onto the center console and, like most recent Benzes, is
peppered by an array of circular and square silver buttons for the climate control and audio systems. Matte silver
accents lend a high-tech feel to the serious-looking cockpit.
All seriousness melts away, however, when you press the button to start the traffic-stopping orchestration of the fully
automatic roof-folding mechanism. First, the trucklid opens from the opposite end; then the backlight glides down,
the roof raises and then separates into two as it lowers itself into the trunk after which the trunklid closes again -
all in 22 seconds. And safety-oriented that Mercedes is, pop-up rollbars emerge instantaneously when the car senses
that a rollover is imminent. Needless to say, all manner of electronic passive and active safety features are standard
even on this little Benz.
With equally heaping servings of style, technology, luxury, safety and performance, it's easy to understand why a
car like the SLK is an absolute necessity for someone who has four million bucks to spare for one of the most
fascinating and desirable cars on the road.
