Luxury Roasters are Part of a Small and Exclusive Club in the All-New Mercedes-Benz SL K

The all-new Mercedes-Benz SL K classic is a rare breed, a luxury roaster that embodies the best in safety performance and technology. Delivering exceptional driving experiences, this car is designed to meet the needs of discerning drivers who value comfort, agility, and style.

One of the standout features of the SL K is its retractable hardtop. This innovative design makes it heavier than soft-top convertibles like the Porsche Boxster, but the added weight provides an extra layer of protection from the elements. The SL K's top opens or closes in under 20 seconds, making it a convenient and practical choice for drivers who want to enjoy the freedom of open-top motoring.

The SL K also boasts an impressive array of advanced technology features. One notable example is Mercedes-Benz Standard Attention Assist, which learns the driver's habits when they first set out on a trip and monitors their steering behavior, speed, and lateral movement. If it detects any signs of drowsiness or distraction, ATTENTION ASSIST will warn the driver with a beeping sound in the gauge cluster, accompanied by an image of a cup of coffee. This thoughtful feature ensures that drivers stay alert and focused on the road.

The SL K 350 model we're featuring today comes equipped with a powerful 302 horsepower V6 engine, which allows it to accelerate from 0-60mph in just 5.4 seconds. While this is an impressive performance figure, one notable omission is the lack of a manual transmission option. Instead, drivers are limited to a 7-speed automatic gearbox, which can feel somewhat insubstantial compared to the driving experience offered by a proper stick shift.

However, it's worth noting that Mercedes-Benz has plans to address this issue in future models. The SLK 250 will feature a smaller four-cylinder engine and come with either a six-speed manual or an automatic transmission option. Additionally, the upcoming SLK 55 AMG model will be powered by a potent 415 horsepower V8 engine, making it a formidable force on the road.

Despite these technical compromises, the SL K 350 remains a true sports car in every sense of the word. Its balance of performance and agility is exceptional, making it a joy to drive on twisty roads or through the city. And with its impressive fuel economy, drivers can enjoy the thrill of driving without breaking the bank.

The SL K 350 also boasts an array of luxurious features that set it apart from other luxury compact cars like the Porsche Boxster and BMW Z4. These include navigation, a Harman Kardon sound system, and an air scarf system that warms the driver's neck for added comfort. With these amenities, the SLK is undoubtedly the most lavish of the group.

While the Porsche Boxster may hold the title of performance king among luxury convertibles, the SL K 350 offers a unique blend of style, comfort, and driving excitement. If top-down motoring is your thing, and you want a year-round daily driver that's sure to turn heads, then the SLK 350 is an excellent choice. Its balance of performance and comfort makes it a compelling option for drivers who value both speed and sophistication.

As we conclude our review of the Mercedes-Benz SL K 350, one final consideration comes to mind: price. With options starting at around $60,000, this luxury roaster is certainly not for the faint of heart. However, given its exceptional performance, luxurious features, and overall driving experience, it's clear that the SLK 350 is well worth the investment for anyone who values their driving pleasure above all else.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enluxury Roasters are part of a small and exclusive club in the all-new mercedes-benz SL K classic sells by delivering the best in safety performance and technology the 2012 SL k class comes with a retractable hardtop that folds into a trunk now this makes it heavier than soft top convertibles like the Porsche Boxster but the extra weight can help to protect you from all four seasons the SL k's top opens or closes in under 20 seconds the electric glass roof goes from transparent to opaque with just the push of a button and there are other eye-opening tech features that make the SL k an amazing machine like mercedes-benz standard attention assist it learns your driving habits when you first set out on a trip and monitors your steering behavior along with speed and lateral movement when it senses changes ATTENTION ASSIST will warn you that you appear to be getting a little drowsy behind the wheel a beeping sound occurs in an image of a cup of coffee in the gauge cluster lets you know it's time to take a break now the model we're driving here is the SL K 350 with the 302 horsepower v6 now that means the sok can go from 0 to 60 inches 5.4 second yeah but you know what's missing in this car what's that it's a manual transmission the 7-speed automatic but the paddle shifters just doesn't do this car justice well Jeff later this year Mercedes will address that would be yes okay 250 it will have a smaller four-cylinder engine and come with either a six-speed stick shift or the automatic fuel economy or power yeah it's gonna be a tough choice between the SLK 250 in the slk55 AMG that's coming out later this year Mercedes is sticking the 415 horsepower v8 in this thing yeah it's gonna be pretty impressive but no matter which model you choose this thing corners like it's on Rails it isn't just a luxury compact it's actually a true sports car if you do want more straight-line power definitely wait around for the AMG model but the 350 right here has got just the right balance of performance and agility and adding to that balance the great fuel economy yeah it's all about fuel economy get this the Sok 350 gets 20 miles per gallon in the city and 29 on the highway now the z4 28i with its inline 4 beat set but the SL k matches the Boxster which is the best handling car of the group the SL k 350 isn't cheap it cost more than the z4 the Boxter you can get pretty expensive when you start adding in options expect to spend around $60,000 with goodies like navigation the Harman Kardon sound system the air scarf system that warms your neck so you can comfortably drive at the top down even in colder weather the sok is the most lavish of the group with the wealth of features that will sway the luxury buyer in you but the Boxster is the performance king of the group even so the SL K is still a blast to drive top-down motoring is your thing you want a year-round daily driver that'll turn heads the SL k 350 is the way to go now as aggressive as the Porsche Boxster but it's definitely more comfortable making it the right mix of performance and comfort youluxury Roasters are part of a small and exclusive club in the all-new mercedes-benz SL K classic sells by delivering the best in safety performance and technology the 2012 SL k class comes with a retractable hardtop that folds into a trunk now this makes it heavier than soft top convertibles like the Porsche Boxster but the extra weight can help to protect you from all four seasons the SL k's top opens or closes in under 20 seconds the electric glass roof goes from transparent to opaque with just the push of a button and there are other eye-opening tech features that make the SL k an amazing machine like mercedes-benz standard attention assist it learns your driving habits when you first set out on a trip and monitors your steering behavior along with speed and lateral movement when it senses changes ATTENTION ASSIST will warn you that you appear to be getting a little drowsy behind the wheel a beeping sound occurs in an image of a cup of coffee in the gauge cluster lets you know it's time to take a break now the model we're driving here is the SL K 350 with the 302 horsepower v6 now that means the sok can go from 0 to 60 inches 5.4 second yeah but you know what's missing in this car what's that it's a manual transmission the 7-speed automatic but the paddle shifters just doesn't do this car justice well Jeff later this year Mercedes will address that would be yes okay 250 it will have a smaller four-cylinder engine and come with either a six-speed stick shift or the automatic fuel economy or power yeah it's gonna be a tough choice between the SLK 250 in the slk55 AMG that's coming out later this year Mercedes is sticking the 415 horsepower v8 in this thing yeah it's gonna be pretty impressive but no matter which model you choose this thing corners like it's on Rails it isn't just a luxury compact it's actually a true sports car if you do want more straight-line power definitely wait around for the AMG model but the 350 right here has got just the right balance of performance and agility and adding to that balance the great fuel economy yeah it's all about fuel economy get this the Sok 350 gets 20 miles per gallon in the city and 29 on the highway now the z4 28i with its inline 4 beat set but the SL k matches the Boxster which is the best handling car of the group the SL k 350 isn't cheap it cost more than the z4 the Boxter you can get pretty expensive when you start adding in options expect to spend around $60,000 with goodies like navigation the Harman Kardon sound system the air scarf system that warms your neck so you can comfortably drive at the top down even in colder weather the sok is the most lavish of the group with the wealth of features that will sway the luxury buyer in you but the Boxster is the performance king of the group even so the SL K is still a blast to drive top-down motoring is your thing you want a year-round daily driver that'll turn heads the SL k 350 is the way to go now as aggressive as the Porsche Boxster but it's definitely more comfortable making it the right mix of performance and comfort you\n"