Roy Lewis road tests the Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 Kompresssor 2LOOK 1.8-litre (From Hereford Times)

Roy Lewis road tests the Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 Kompresssor 2LOOK 1.8-litre

8:00am Friday 18th December 2009

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AT-A-GLANCE Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 Kompresssor 2LOOK 1.8-litre 6-speed manual.

Price: £31,235 (on the road).

Top speed: 147mph.

0-62mph: 7.6 seconds.

Fuel: 35.8mpg (combined figure).

Emissions C02 (g/km): 188.

Verdict: Looks great, superb to drive, excellent blend of performance and economy, beautifully built and possesses the wow factor.

THE facelifted Mercedes-Benz SLK is a gleaming tribute to the German manufacturers.

The old model felt rather sedate for serious sport lovers but the new one is more like a true sports car and is more shapely and sexy.

The distinctive new styling – particularly at the front – helps give it oodles of kudos and you feel rather special driving it.

The SLK is one of the most useable and affordable of the premium roadsters with prices from £29,445 on the road.

It is beautifully built inside and out and buyers have the satisfaction of knowing that its residuals will almost certainly be among the best in the business when the time comes to trade it in.

There is a decent choice of uprated engines with the flagship motor being the powerful and expensive 360bhp V8.

But the model attracting an increasing amount of attention during these belt-tightening times is the 1.8-litre supercharged unit, now with 184bhp, which gives an outstanding blend of performance and economy.

The increase in horsepower has given the 1.8-litre a sportier edge and although the motor can sound a little wheezy at times, it’s a cracking engine whether you are sprinting up through the gears or cruising on the open highway. Despite the outstanding performance figures of 0- 62mph in 7.6 seconds and a top speed of 147mph, the SLK 200 will return an average fuel consumption of a pleasing 35.8mpg with almost 50mpg possible with a gentle right foot.

Of course, it does depend on how you drive and the chances are that you will be more likely to put your foot down with this lovely smooth unit so that your daily average consumption will probably be in the mid-30s.

In preparing for battle against Audi, BMW and other opponents, Mercedes have produced a New Look special edition housing the 1.8-litre.

The 2LOOK edition boasts enhanced specification to tempt buyers and is only available in black or calcite white, though drivers can opt for the stunning-looking mystic white, a colour available to a very small number of vehicles worldwide.

Certainly, the 2LOOK edition is the perfect vehicle to make a statement in black and white and among the enhanced specification are heated seats and airscarf – a neck-level heating system which comes in handy on a cold day when the hood is down.

The stylish black and white colour scheme is featured inside in soft leather upholstery and in black floor mats with white trim and 2LOOK edition embroidered lettering.

The colour scheme throughout the car is very well done and makes the SLK look even more striking.

But it is on the move that you will appreciate the SLK most. It has impeccable balance and grip with its safe and stable handling boosting the driver’s confidence.

It is so obedient and precise and its composure is helped by a decidedly firm but comfortable ride, essential for a car with such a sporting nature.

The steering weight on the 2LOOK edition feels right, providing a more positive and sharper feel than before.

The interior is new and more sophisticated with the latest technology.

In the front there is plenty of room for two and decent storage places for odds and ends but with a folding metal roof – operated by the flick of a switch – there is limited space available in the boot.

But, after all, this is a sports car which is now far more desirable than before.

Among the wealth of standard equipment with the 2LOOK is leather interior, air-conditioning, cruise control, dual stage airbags with head/thorax side bags, ABS with brake assist, an electronic stability programme, and a very efficient electric-hydraulic roof.

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