What's all this about?
Mercedes-Benz has had a fiddle with some of the engines in the SLK range, taking the opportunity to add fresh transmissions and extra kit to give us the 2015MY car. It's available to order now in its native Germany at a slightly elevated price compared to the old SLK, although no confirmation on order dates and prices for the UK is yet forthcoming.
How has Mercedes changed the engines?
There are three petrol units and one diesel engine making up a five-car model range, with the top dogs - the 3.5-litre V6 SLK 350 and 5.5-litre V8 SLK 55 AMG - continuing unchanged. It's at the bottom of the range where the updates occur, as the SLK 250 is defunct (replaced by the more-powerful SLK 300) while the SLK 200 and SLK 250 d models have subtle changes in either torque figures or emissions data.
Does the SLK 300 have an all-new powerplant?
No, it's the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit as used in the old SLK 250, but here it has an extra 41hp and 60Nm for 245hp and 370Nm. This means 0-62mph in 5.8 seconds, while returning 134g/km and 48.7mpg.
So, what does the SLK 200 use under the bonnet?
The same 2.0 turbo four, albeit making the old power figure of 184hp with an extra 30Nm of torque over the 2014 SLK 200, bringing the total to 300Nm. Its green figures aren't much better than the SLK 300's, at 133g/km and 49.6mpg, but it takes 6.9 seconds to get from rest to 62mph. Both petrol engines get their extra grunt from Merc's third-generation direct injection and multi-spark ignition.
Tell me more about the diesel.
The familiar 2.1-litre twin-turbocharged four-pot is pressed into service for the SLK 250 d, with the power and torque figures of 204hp and 500Nm held over from the old car. But, it uses less fuel and therefore emits less CO2, with economy rising from 58.8- to 64.2mpg while emissions drop to 114g/km. All 2015MY SLKs are EU6-compliant and feature stop-start.
You mentioned gearboxes - what are the choices now?
The SLK 200 gets a new six-speed manual as standard, while both the 300 and 250 d receive the nine-speed 9G-Tronic that has already seen service in other Mercs, notably the CLS. The 9G-Tronic is an option for the 200.
Any other driving fun-related goodies?
A Dynamic Handling suspension package, with adaptive damping, Direct-Steer system, ESP Dynamic Cornering Assist and a 10mm lower set-up, is an option for the 2015MY SLK.
And the other toys?
LED daytime running lamps in a rod-shaped design, an LTE-capable aerial with optional convenience telephony, Collision Prevention Assist Plus, Blind Spot Assist and Lane Keeping Assist are all added to the SLK's technological roster.
Anything else to add?
Two new paint finishes are available that Mercedes says add a 'breath of fresh summer air to the colour range'. How strange, then, that both are wintery greys - Selenite Grey metallic or designo Cerussite Grey magno.
Matt Robinson - 10 Apr 2015