With the all new design for 2012, gone are the days when
driving an SLK meant living in the shadows of big brother. The strength of a
fierce front fascia that gives an ode to the past, the sweeping side lines with
aggressive side air vents, sculpted side sills and a low down body stance that
says “I handle and perform,” the new generation Mercedes Benz SLK350 has made its mark as a
legend!

After the sheer amazement of the body design I was then
totally dazzled by the LED daytime running lights—a must for all high end
vehicles these days. But they really got me with the roof: A hard top
retractable that drops and folds in 20-seconds with the option of either a
standard steel top or Panorama sunroofs—as in two versions.

The options include
the basic tinted version, which is a see through roof panel at $500, or the SLK
exclusive–Magic Sky Control Panel. With it you choose the degree UV rays and
infrared lighting you wish to be allowed in the cabin at all times for the
ultimate in cabin comfort. Never can I recall experiencing a convertible with a
sunroof. And for me–someone who enjoys both the sun and moon, the absence of a
sunroof has always been a draw back when it comes to driving or owning a
convertible. But with either of SLK’s Panorama Sunroof options, I’ve found my
thrills.

SLK’s 3.5 liter engine delivers 273 lb ft of torque,
courtesy of a 302 horsepower V6 engine that reaches 0-60 in 5.4 seconds and a
maximum speed of 155 miles per hour. The seven speed automatic transmission
with manual option is the catalyst for efficiency, helping to deliver an EPA
fuel rating of 20 miles per gallon in the city and 29 on the highway. With
premium unleaded at $3.77 a gallon, that’s roughly $53 to drive 329 miles per
tank.

In addition to the beautiful cornering and overall
maneuverability (especially on city streets), Predictive Brake Priming—which
sets the brake pads closer to the discs when a quick and sudden lift off the
accelerator is sensed.—was another advantage that made me say, WOW.

Perfect for the mixed (hot one day, cool the next)
temperatures of the fall season are the additional climate control measures. In
particular, AIRCARF—the Mercedes neck heating system made available in the
Premium 1 Package, ($2,600), places air vents in the upper potion of the heated
seats to keep you in perfect comfort with the top dropped.

Now you can take
total advantage of the beauty of the fall season with an uninterrupted view of
it all. The same package includes iPod interface, allowing you to rule your mp3
player from the steering wheel or audio system controls so that your theme song
is just a touch away.

Still to come is the SLK 250. Meanwhile, at the base price
of $54,800, the new SLK350 – shining brightly – is turning heads
and leaving eyes in the dust!

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Trekking red carpets around the globe, HOMBRE‘s resident automobile expert and reviewer, Michael Andre Adams, takes on the task of introducing you to the latest and greatest whips in the here and now, as well as those to come.
You can also catch him in between takes on the Travel Channel, the Weather Channel, or any given newspaper, website, magazine or inflight publication bringing you the latest and greatest in cars and travel.