Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the first ever diesel-engined SLK.
The SLK 250 CDI gets Merc's four-cylinder, 2.2-litre 201bhp unit and is available to order from September. There's no UK price yet, but it costs €41,828 on the continent. That's about £37,000.
As you've no doubt already concluded, the advantage of a top end diesel is torque and fuel economy. In this case the numbers are 369lb.ft and 57.6mpg.
It will hit 62mph from being parked outside Costa in just 6.7 seconds, and, if the Costa happens to be inside a pit lane (it's possible these days), on to 151mph. Merc reckons that its 4.3-second 50-75mph time is 'easily the best figure in this class'.
A 7G-Tronic Plus automatic is standard, though a six-speed manual will come mid-2012. Stop-start is included in the price, too.
Mark Nichol - 18 Aug 2011