2008 Mercedes SLK Roadster

With Christmas just around the corner, it’s your last chance to shoot off an e-mail to Santa. If you’re having difficulty deciding what to ask for, how about a 2008 Mercedes SLK? You might have to wait until Easter for it though, as Mercedes will only be launching the 2008 Mercedes SLK in the second quarter of 2008.
What you’ll get is a facelifted SLK roadster with a new front fascia and a new rear section, as well as a new instrument cluster and a new three-spoke sports steering wheel. Not to mention a choice of four powerful engines, of which two are modified and tuned engines!

The restyled exterior of the 2008 Mercedes SLK features a new front bumper with an integrated different air dam; and a rear end with an integrated diffuser, trapezoidal exhaust tailpipes and darkened taillights.

Powering the Mercedes SLK 200 Kompressor is a supercharged four-cylinder engine that produces 184 horsepower and 185 lb-ft. of torque while consuming only 36.7 mpg! The engine in the Mercedes SLK 280 has been tweaked to reduce fuel consumption to 30.4 mpg in the manual version, and 31 mpg in the automatic version. The Mercedes SLK 350 is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 305 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and a peak torque of 265 lb-ft. at 4,900 rpm, thanks to a higher compression ratio, a new intake manifold and a modified valve train. Only the 5.5-liter V8 engine powering the Mercedes SLK 55 AMG remains relatively unchanged at 360 horsepower and a peak torque of 376 lb-ft.

All models, except the Mercedes SLK 55 AMG comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission. Optional on the Mercedes SLK 200 Kompressor is a five-speed automatic transmission, while on the Mercedes SLK 280 and Mercedes SLK 350 a 7G-Tronic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddles is optional. The 7G-Tronic transmission is standard on the Mercedes SLK 55 AMG, which also features a new Direct Steer system.

The 2008 Mercedes SLK will be available from dealers in April 2008. The pricing is as follows:

SLK 200 Kompressor: € 36,503.25
SLK 280: € 41,858.25
SLK 350: € 46,975.25
SLK 55 AMG: € 69,049.75

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]