The updated Mercedes-Benz SLK 350 literally turned my world upside down! I lost my head. Buckle up — this test will be quite unusual.
I absolutely don't want to talk about this masterpiece of automotive art in the usual vein, dissecting the exterior piece by piece and listing dry performance figures — that would be a real crime. In the global auto industry, there has long been an unspoken "Big Three", and Mercedes-Benz is, of course, among them. Let's imagine the German concern as a vast country, and its model lineup as a map of this mighty state with its endless expanses. Here there is a cozy capital, and harsh remote regions accustomed to difficult climatic conditions, and densely populated prosperous areas. By the way, if anyone has guessed which Mercedes models are hidden behind this allegory — welcome to the comments!
In this "kingdom" there is one small district center — quite tiny, with a population of only 2 people, but incredibly attractive. At first glance, it might seem that a lady should be at the helm of this region (or rather, in the driver's seat). But that's only the first impression. The temperament of this place is so explosive and sharp that a man simply must be in charge here, and the place of the first lady is only in the passenger seat. The strategic potential of this territory speaks for itself: a V-shaped "six" with a displacement of 3.5 liters, which after the facelift received an additional 33 "horses" and now produces a maximum of 305 hp at 6500 rpm. For such a little two-seater weighing only 1.4 tons, this is a serious advantage in the arms race. This assault squad is commanded by a flawlessly tuned 7-speed transmission — and each of its gears sounds very convincing.
Having gathered all this power together, you can safely challenge competitors in other "states", perfectly aware that no obstacle will stop this herd. Any turn, even the trickiest one, will remain just a pleasant memory — the steering is 100% informative, with excellent feedback. But, carried away by describing the technical filling and trying to impress the reader, I completely forgot about the sights of this autonomous region. And there are plenty of them here. The front of the car has changed so radically that in the rearview mirror it no longer looks like that cute "powder compact" for blondes. Swift headlights, an impressive pillar with a huge and beautiful "sight", a bumper with many aerodynamic diffusers and little wings — all this gave the car a truly predatory grin. Overall, the SLK now strongly resembles the most premium and wealthy region of its state — Mercedes SLR. The rear, having become slightly more rounded, has also become noticeably more attractive — thanks to an excellent pedigree and good "nutrition". The taillights are now more understandable and informative, and at the bottom of the "stern" there is a decorative diffuser and almost rectangular exhaust tips that emit a rich and incredibly charismatic sound.
Historically, this and several other regions of the great state are located further south than the rest, and therefore have their own climate and microclimate regulators. I'm talking about the high-tech Vario Roof folding hardtop system, which in 22 seconds opens up access to fresh air for its inhabitants. But the care for comfort doesn't end there — at the slightest hint of a cold snap, any lucky person can use the Airscarf system ("air scarf"). It works simply and effectively: through neat air ducts in the seats, in the neck and shoulder area, a separate fan supplies warm air that gently envelops the passenger. The life-saving airflow has 3 intensity modes.
Of course, the list of pleasant little things doesn't end there. Those who are ready to invest in this car will also be offered the usual set of conveniences, such as a premium audio system with a six-disc changer, a multifunction screen through which you can control all multimedia capabilities, and navigation that will definitely not let you get lost on our roads.
Finally, I'll share confidential information from reliable sources. For the car that literally blew my mind, dealerships are asking 2,212,600 rubles. But this is between us! However, if you want a slightly less peppy but no less stylish car, you can look at the SLK 200 Kompressor for 1,694,000 rubles or the SLK 280 for 1,942,500. Look for me in traffic — try to get a good shot. Yoo-hoo!
Dmitry Malygin
