An Option On The SLK

An Option On The SLK

The third generation of Mercedes-Benz鈥檚 compact roadster is on the way, and so far I like what I see. Gone are the first generations鈥?under-detailed soft looks and the second gen鈥檚 SLR inspired front hood which just didn鈥檛 work on the smaller car. A solid, non-whimpy presence with some sportiness thrown in to fit the character of the car. While arguably not class-leading, the SLK can now hold its own in performance conversations with Porsche鈥檚 Boxster and BMW鈥檚 Z4, and an improved interior makes for a nice place to enjoy those new found driving dynamics. Power will initially come from a 3.5 liter V-6 with 302 horsepower in the SLK 350. The Benz folks claim a 0-60 sprint of 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph. Early next year the SLK 250 will be available with a more sedate 201 horsepower four cylinder engine. We also expect a hi-po V-8 powered AMG version which would surely add to your speeding ticket tally. An option on the SLK, Magic Sky Control replaces the top metal panel on the folding hard-top with glass. But this is not just any old glass roof. Using electricity and a technology similar to LCD, the glass panel will change from clear to opaque with the touch of a button..! All-in-all Mercedes Benz did an excellent job with the SLK redux. If you are in the market for a two-seat roadster, this is definitely one to put on the test-drive list..!

The C-Class has side-impact airbags for front passengers as well as curtain-style head-protection airbags for front and rear passengers. The C-Class cars look like a Mercedes-Benz should and just about everyone will quickly identify them as such. All C-Class cars sport the traditional Mercedes three-pointed star as a standup hood ornament, but even without that they'd be immediately identifiable. The C-Class shares styling themes with the larger E-Class and S-Class cars, but retains a tight look all its own. Aerodynamically, the C-Class cars are among the most efficient in the Mercedes-Benz family. The C-Class boasts a drag coefficient of 0.27, which helps minimize wind noise and improves fuel efficiency. Distinguishing between Sport and Luxury versions of the 2006 C-Class is easy. The Sport sedans have a more aggressive looking front air dam and sculpted lower cladding previously used only on Mercedes' exotic AMG models. The Sport sedans are further distinguished by a unique grille with three horizontal bars, darker, blue-tinted glass and larger 17-inch wheels. The styling for all C-Class models was freshened for 2005. The changes were subtle and we're not sure how many people actually noticed.

Revised styling cues included wider set quad-ovoid headlights, more pronounced fender flares and revised taillights. The C-Class sedans are the same length as the BMW 3 Series cars, but several inches narrower, making it easier to fit them into tight garage spaces. The C55 AMG is another beast altogether. Its body work from the windshield pillars forward was borrowed from Mercedes' larger CLK coupe in order to widen the front track and make room for a big V8 engine. From the rear, the C55 is dominated by a two pairs of chromed, oversize exhaust tips. Also noticeable from the rear is its extra-wide 18-inch alloy wheels and tires. The C-Class interior looks like the inside of a Mercedes-Benz should, and for the most part it feels that way, too. A model re-alignment for 2006 has increased the level of luxury in the least expensive models. Fabric upholstery and manually operated seats can no longer be found in the C-Class line. Any of the seats are very good: neither so hard that they numb the backside nor so soft that they leave occupants tired or aching.

The seats in the standard luxury models are more traditional, perhaps richer in appearance, than those in the sport models. By comparison, the seats in the sport models look stark, but provide significantly more side bolstering for spirited driving. Adjustable lumbar support is now standard, meaning more comfort for the lower back. The C55 AMG has its own special sport seats and premium leather upholstery. The C-Class got a thorough interior re-do for the 2005 model year so the 2006 models benefit from that. The dashboard, instruments and seats were redesigned, and materials were revised throughout. The instrument cluster now features four gauges, with a chromed-ringed tachometer and speedometer of identical size sitting front and center. To the left and right of these are smaller fuel and temperature gauges. In the middle sits an LCD display with various system and trip functions. Fashioned in the mold of the larger Mercedes E-Class, the instrument cluster is deeply hooded and virtually eliminates glare on the dials.