If you didn’t find a 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK 250 parked under your Christmas tree, there is no excuse for not picking one up yourself. Personal luxury cars such as the SLK are the ultimate gift to yourself — as long as one travels light.
The SLK is the German luxury carmaker’s compact two-seat convertible, a smaller version of the SL. What sets the SLK apart from competitors such as the BMW or Porsche is its retractable hardtop. Hardtop convertible owners enjoy all the attributes of open-air driving without the security and vandalism worries that come with owning a soft top.
Watching the hardtop fold up and fit into the trunk gives a person an appreciation of the complexities and engineering that go into its design. Surprisingly, it has been around since 1996. I remember sitting in the ferry lineup one summer afternoon putting the top up and down for a group of people who had never seen one before. I may have sold a few cars for Mercedes-Benz that day.
While one can’t fault the concept and execution, the Achilles heel of folding a rigid item is the space it takes up. BMW has stated it chose to stay with a soft top for the Z4 because of weight, cost and space. Cloth weighs much less than any alloy, it is less expensive and can fold more compactly.
When the top is down in the SLK, cargo capacity is reduced to 225 litres — about the size of one medium suitcase. When the top is up, cargo jumps to 335 litres. Mercedes places a horizontal separator in the trunk. When retracted, owners can load the trunk up to the trunk lid. But one has to reattach the separator before the roof will operate — to prevent people from inadvertently squashing their luggage.
But thoughts of the minimalist trunk fly out the window with the top down. See a shaft of sunshine on a grey winter day? It takes less than 20 seconds to fold the top down to take advantage of the sun.
But it’s still cold out, you say. Mercedes has that covered, offering an option called Airscarf — a vent strategically located where one’s neck would be on the passenger seats. This device features a fan that sends a stream of warm air to warm the neck and back of the head. Coupled with heated seats, winter driving al fresco is not only possible, but relatively comfortable.
A detachable wind block fits between the two seats. With it installed and the side windows up, the cabin is relatively draft-free with the top down. Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it, too?
With the top up, the SLK is as quiet as a regular coupe. The top’s magnesium polycarbonate construction is 30 per cent lighter than the last roof. Unfortunately, the top doesn’t have a rain gutter — resulting in water dripping on the seats whenever the door is opened. I resorted to keeping a hand towel handy to keep my bottom dry.
The SLK’s 250 designation means this car has a turbocharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder under the hood. The SLK 350 has a 3.5-litre V-6, and the SLK 55 AMG has a killer 5.5-litre V-8.
The 1.8 develops a healthy 201 hp and 229 lb.-ft. of torque, propelling the SLK from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds. It even has a top speed of 201 km/h. What it gives up in performance it returns with sparkling fuel economy: 9.0 litres/100 km in the city and 6.0 on the highway. It requires premium gas.
While the SLK is sporty, it isn’t a sports car like the Porsche Boxster. Instead, it is a refined ride that just happens to be quick on its feet.
The optional seven-speed automatic transmission is silky smooth and delivers a seamless ride. The driver can choose between economy and sport via a small button beside the shifter.
Regardless of where the switch was when the car was switched off, it defaults to economy setting upon restarting. Surprisingly, the SLK does not have automatic engine stop/start, a fuel-saving feature now finding its way into more luxury vehicles.
My tester was equipped with a $2,500 sport package that includes 18-inch wheels and AMG-style trim enhancements. It made the humble 250 look like its fire-breathing SLK 55 AMG brethren, but without the corresponding hefty fuel bill.
The sport package includes adjustable shocks so drivers can select the right shock stiffness to reflect their driving.
The cabin is cosy but not cramped, if you are of a certain size. If you are taller than six feet or have an ample torso, you might want to look elsewhere.
If you are a “bigger-is-better” type person, the SLK is not for you. But if you subscribe to the principle that good things come in small packages, this might be the right car to spoil yourself with. You are worth it, aren’t you?
