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19 March 2024

Take a look at Merc's latest eye candy

(SUPPLIED)

Published
By Aimee Greaves

With only 300 vehicles produced and just more than 30 coming to the Middle East, Mercedes-Benz's latest SLK is bound to be in demand.

On first appearance, stylistically it looks the same as the regular SLK, but get a little closer to the 2Look Edition and the new features are clear to see. Available in two colours – obsidian black or designo mystic white – which Emirates Business drove, it also comes with a contrasting black and white leather interior, which some might think harks to Saturday Night Fever, but I like. It is funky without being too in your face and much more stylish than many interiors around these days.

The colour scheme stretches to every part of the car, including doors and centre armrest, which we were disappointed to see did not have room for our morning coffee. Even the steering wheel has black with white seams and the black dash has a white-painted trim.

But a lack of drink holders aside, this is an excellent car whose different-sized tyres grip the road to perfection. Both have 18in five-twin spoke alloys but the back ones are bigger. There are also black surround headlamps.

The steering and pedals are heavy, but once you get used to not being able to turn the wheel with your little finger, it makes for reassuring driving and the weight does ease up the faster you go.

Throughout the drive the 2Look specialities are never far from your mind, thanks to clever placing of the logo on the wings, floor mats and rear air screen, which is somewhat annoying at night as that – along with the radio/navigation screen – beams back through the rear view mirror.

This limited edition comes in three engine variants: 200 Kompressor, 300 and 350 with prices starting at $46,500 (Dh171,116) The 300 Emirates Business tested costs $55,700, stands up well against both the competition and the regular model range.

The roar emitted when accelerating with any force affirms the power of the three-litre engine and makes you feel that this powerplant means business and something I would never tire of. With 300Nm of torque, it propels itself from 0-100kph in 6.3 seconds but is just as responsive at any speed. The downside, however, is fuel consumption: Officially it stands at 9.1 litres per 100km but never did we see it go under 10 litres and at times it was even higher.

Many men dismiss such two-seaters, saying they are the domain of young women – their words, not mine – but I suspect some might change their mind with this model. Yes, it is small and dinky and quite low for some men, but there is nothing immature about this model.

After sliding into the soft leather seats, which are electronically controlled, you soon forget about the outside as the mass of gadgets takes over. The car is naturally low, which is fine for the front view, but there is limited vision through the rear view mirror. Couple this with the logo and radio issues and seeing out the rear, especially at night, is tricky. The blind spots are also large enough to omit whole sections of the road, so it is a good job there are ample wing mirrors.

Take the roof down, however, and not surprisingly it is a different story. Packed neatly away in the top of the boot, the SLK has one of the best wind deflection systems I have experienced. Yes, my hair looked a little scarecrow-esque when I arrived at my destination, but not as much as normal and, due to its low base, the air conditioner managed to counter early morning temperatures well.

If you plan to use the boot, though, it is better to do so before the roof goes down. There is a plastic sheet dividing it horizontally, which can be pulled back to put luggage in, otherwise there is only a 12in gap in which to slip bags in.

The metal roof with glass rear window folds neatly away via a button between the hand break and gear stick. The wing mirror controls are to the left, keeping everything neat and linear.

As with other Mercedes, the SLK 2Look comes with three seven-speed transmission settings altered with the touch of a button – comfort, sport and manual – the latter controlled by wheel-mounted paddles only, rather than the usual tiptronics. Luckily manuals are not prevalent in this country as Mercedes is notoriously bad at them.

The steering wheel also holds the buttons to scroll through the computer as well as radio and optional in-car phone, while a stick to the top left controls the speed limiter and cruise control, which usefully can be altered by 1kph increments.

Away from the drive, there is a mass of buttons around the central control screen, with the ability to save 10 stations. Annoyingly, it is not a touch screen so scrolling along can take a while and be distracting for the driver. Sat- nav is also controlled here, while the climate is altered via a series of dials underneath.

It is all typically high-class Mercedes with quality finishes all round. The smooth driving, whether in manual or one of the automatic options, is second to none. From the gleaming metallic white paint to the stylish leather interior, it is not surprising buyers are snapping it up.

Despite the long nose, which makes manoeuvring round car parks a little tricky, the SLK 2Look is the perfect two-seat companion for zooming around town and it will make you the envy of passing motorists still stuck with the regular 200 model.


The rivals

BMW Z4 Roadster

The folding roof trend continues but it takes out most of the boot when down. Nevertheless, it handles well

Porsche Boxster

Despite being Porsche's poor man's option, the Boxster has a superb engine but is let down by some interior specs

Lexus SC430

Handling takes a side seat to comfort in Lexus's essentially two-seat convertible but it has stood the test of time

 

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