Currently reading: Geneva motor show 2011: Mercedes SLK
Official pics and details of new roadster at Geneva motor show

Mercedes has issued official details of its new SLK to coincide with its launch at the Geneva motor show.

The two-seat roadster has a new rear-wheel drive platform, a diesel variant and what engineers claim is a more sporting chassis. It also looks less aggressive than the outgoing model.

See the official pics of the new Mercedes SLK - now updated with Geneva show pics

The new SLK continues to eschew a fabric roof for a reworked version of the old model’s folding hard-top. It now offers the choice of a standard aluminium, fixed-tint glass or electro-magnetic variable-tint glass panel.

Inside, there’s an angular new dashboard, modelled on that of the SLS, with distinctive vents, reworked instruments, more contemporary switchgear and a new range of trims.

Three petrol engines are confirmed for the launch. They include a pair of turbocharged 1.8-litre units, producing 184bhp in the SLK200 and 204bhp in the SLK250. The SLK200 gets a standard six-speed manual gearbox and has a claimed 0-62mph time of 7.0sec.

See the leaked pics of the Mercedes SLK

Topping the launch line-up will be the SLK350, which features Mercedes’ new V6. The 3.5-litre direct-injection engine kicks out the same 306bhp as the unit it replaces in the SLK line-up. But in combination with a standard seven-speed automatic and a number of fuel-saving features, including stop-start, it offers vastly improved performance and economy. The SLK350 has a claimed 0-62mph time of 5.6sec and a combined 39.8mpg.

The new SLK is also set to offer a diesel engine: a twin-turbo, 2.1-litre four-pot with 204bhp. A replacement for the SLK55 is also destined for the UK by the end of the year. It will use a normally aspirated version of AMG’s new 5.5-litre V8, producing close to 420bhp.

Greg Kable

See all the latest Mercedes SLK reviews, news and video

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