The car has black leather upholstery set off by aluminized accents and silver-painted seat frames. It includes the optional navigation system and feature a full range of power assists and a multifunction display accessed by selector buttons on its three-spoke steering wheel to dual-zone climate control, an anti-theft system with TeleAid Stolen Vehicle Recovery feature, and the ubiquitous programmable SmartKey. Its upgraded AM/FM/CD audio package includes a 380-watt harman/kardon LOGIC7 surround sound system with navigation. A MB satellite receiver and blue tooth module can be added. Dialing in an ideal driving position is quick and easy, courtesy of torso-hugging eight-way sport seats and a tilt/telescoping steering column, all power adjustable. The SLK’s steel top now goes up or down in just 22 seconds.
The SLK’s passenger protection starts with a robust structure and loads of electronic handling/braking/stability assists. Also standard are front airbags, a driver’s knee bag, side and thorax bags, seat belt tensioners/force limiters, fixed steel roll bars, and automatic collision notification by Tele Aid whenever an airbag deploys.
The variable valve timing helps torque peak at just 2,400 rpm–and remain there until revs hit the 5K mark, a “sweet plateau” that serves both transmissions well the SLK’s electronic stability control to accommodate more aggressive driving styles. However, it will still automatically override the manual de-select function if the car exceeds predetermined threshold limits.