| Model year | 2012 |
| Make | Mercedes-Benz |
| Model | SLK-Class |
| Style | SLK350 2dr Convertible (3.5L 6cyl 7A) |
| Base MSRP | $55,675 |
| Options on test vehicle | Premium 1 Package ($2,590 -- includes iPod/MP3 media interface; AirScarf neck-level heating system; Sirius Satellite Radio; Harman Kardon premium sound system; heated seats; IR remote roof automation); Sport Package ($2,500 -- sport body styling includes front airdam with mesh intakes, sculpted side skirts and rear valance, 18-inch AMG five-spoke wheels, direct ambient lighting in Solar Red, Sport Package code); Multimedia Package ($2,150 -- includes COMAND system with 80GB hard drive navigation and 7-inch LCD screen with 3-D map views, enhanced voice control system, 10GB music register, six-disc DVD changer, Gracenote album information including cover art and SD memory card slot); Lighting Package ($1,090 -- includes headlamp cleaning system, bi-xenon headlamps with Active Curve Illumination); Dual-Zone Climate Control ($760); Black ($630); Panorama Roof ($500 -- includes panorama roof with fixed tinted glass) |
| As-tested MSRP | $65,895 |
| Drive type | Rear-wheel drive |
| Engine type | Naturally aspirated, direct-injected V6, gasoline |
| Displacement (cc/cu-in) | 3,498/213 |
| Block/head material | Aluminum/aluminum |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, four valves per cylinder, variable intake + exhaust-valve timing |
| Compression ratio (x:1) | 12.0 |
| Redline (rpm) | 6,750 |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm) | 302 @ 6,500 |
| Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 273 @ 3,500 |
| Fuel type | Premium unleaded (required) |
| Transmission type | Seven-speed automatic |
| Transmission and axle ratios (x:1) | I=4.38, II=2.86, III=1.92, IV=1.37, V=1.0, VI=0.82, VIII=0.73 |
| Suspension, front | Independent MacPherson struts, coil springs, twin-tube dampers, stabilizer bar |
| Suspension, rear | Independent multilink, coil springs, twin-tube dampers, stabilizer bar |
| Steering type | Hydraulic-assist, speed-proportional, rack-and-pinion steering |
| Steering ratio (x:1) | 15.5:1 |
| Tire brand | Continental |
| Tire model | ContiSport Contact |
| Tire type | Performance front and rear |
| Tire size, front | 225/40R18 |
| Tire size, rear | 245/35R18 |
| Wheel size | 18-by-7.5 inches front -- 18-by-8.5 inches rear |
| Wheel material | Forged aluminum |
| Brakes, front | 13.5-inch one-piece ventilated steel discs with single-piston sliding calipers |
| Brakes, rear | 11.8-inch one-piece solid steel discs with single-piston sliding calipers |
| Acceleration, 0-30 mph (sec.) | 2.2 |
| 0-45 mph (sec.) | 3.7 |
| 0-60 mph (sec.) | 5.6 |
| 0-75 mph (sec.) | 8.1 |
| 1/4-mile (sec. @ mph) | 13.8 @ 100.9 |
| 0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.) | 5.4 |
| Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.) | 28 |
| 60-0 mph (ft.) | 113 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) | 66.2 |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) | 0.87 |
| Sound level @ idle (dB) | 48.2 |
| @ Full throttle (dB) | 79.4 |
| @ 70 mph cruise (dB) | 67.5 |
| Acceleration comments | Good punch right off the line, no hesitation: the throttle is so abrupt it jerks your head back . Oddly, it was difficult to match the first run when stability control was on, the transmission was in Economy mode vs. Sport or Manual. Power braking did little to help. Manual shifting is via paddles or console-mounted shifter. Blips on downshifts. Shifts at 6,800 regardless of tranny mode. |
| Braking rating | Excellent |
| Braking comments | Perfectly controlled panic braking and very firm pedal with short travel. Exrtemely reassuring and incredibly short, consistent stops. No fade. |
| Handling rating | Good |
| Handling comments | Skid pad: Very controllable. Chassis is willing to let you play with the throttle to adjust the line and control understeer. Unfortunately, the throttle calibration makes it easy to overshoot desired throttle input. ESC hardly perceptible here when "on." Slalom: Nimble car for its weight. Narrow and low to the ground. Steering is quick but lacks feel. Tires have decent grip but there are a few hindrances. First, the suspension is quite stiff and rebounds abruptly after each turn. Second, the throttle always opens too much with each input, which upsets the car's attitude. And ESC will cut throttle when too aggressive. |
| Elevation (ft.) | 1,121 |
| Temperature (°F) | 87.5 |
| Relative humidity (%) | 27.5 |
| Wind (mph, direction) | 0.75 headwind |
| EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 20 city/29 highway/23 combined |
| Edmunds observed (mpg) | 21.5 |
| Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.) | 15.9 |
| Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.) | 3,397 |
| Curb weight, as tested (lbs.) | 3,405 |
| Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%) | 53/47 |
| Length (in.) | 162.8 |
| Width (in.) | 71.5 |
| Height (in.) | 51.2 |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 95.7 |
| Track, front (in.) | 61.4 |
| Track, rear (in.) | 61.6 |
| Turning circle (ft.) | 34.5 |
| Legroom, front (in.) | 42.5 |
| Headroom, front (in.) | 38 |
| Shoulder room, front (in.) | 52.2 |
| Seating capacity | 2 |
| Cargo volume (cu-ft) | 10.1 |
| Max. cargo volume, seats folded (cu-ft) | 10.1 |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Corrosion | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Roadside assistance | Unlimited |
| Free scheduled maintenance | 3,000 miles |
| Front airbags | Standard |
| Side airbags | Dual front |
| Head airbags | Front |
| Knee airbags | Dual front |
| Antilock brakes | Four-wheel ABS |
| Electronic brake enhancements | Braking assist, electronic brakeforce distribution |
| Traction control | Traction control |
| Stability control | Stability control |
| Rollover protection | Convertible occupant rollover protection |
| Tire-pressure monitoring system | Tire-pressure monitoring |
| NHTSA crash test, driver | Not Tested |
| NHTSA crash test, passenger | Not Tested |
| NHTSA crash test, side front | Not Tested |
| NHTSA crash test, side rear | Not Tested |
| NHTSA rollover resistance | Not Tested |
| IIHS offset | Not Tested |
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