New 2012 SLK Roadster with Magic Sky Control unveiled

Jan 13 2011, 3:29am CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Mercedes-Benz is launching the all-new 2012 SLK Roadster this Summer. Today the company unveiled the details. Aside from its hot new design the 2012 SLK also has a cool geek feature called Magic Sky Control. I was not an SLK fan, but the new SLK looks damn hot. The reason why I like the new SLK is the redesigned front. It looks mean with the big grill.

The Magic Sky Control in the panorama vario-roof lets you switch between light and dark transparency at the touch of a button. I know this type feature from privacy glass in offices. To have it in the car is pretty cool.

The new SLK embodies the role of the trend-setter like no other car", says Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. "I am convinced that with its passionate design, its high-quality interior and its modesty at the fuel station it will continue to provide an enormous amount of fun on the road in future, too, consolidating its status as a cult roadster."

There will be two models of the 2012 SLK available in its first year, both powered by direct-injection engines. The completely redesigned V6 engine in the SLK350 develops 302 hp from its 3498 cubic-centimeter displacement, using this power to accelerate in 5.4 (est.) seconds from 0 to 60 mph (top speed 155 mph). Later on in the model year, the SLK250 goes on-sale with a four-cylinder engine developing 201 hp from a displacement of 1796 cubic centimeters.

The SLK250 is equipped as standard with a 6-speed manual transmission and consumes an estimated 27 mpg (combined). From a standstill it reaches 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, and it has a top speed of 155 mph.

For the first time Mercedes-Benz is offering a choice of three variants of the lightweight-construction vario-roof for the new SLK: in just a few seconds this feature transforms the roadster into a coupe with a "fixed" roof at the touch of a button – and vice versa:

1) The standard version is a roof painted in the vehicle color.

2) Optionally available is a panorama vario-roof with dark-tinted glass.

3) The third option is a world premiere – the panorama vario-roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL. This glass roof switches to light or dark at the press of a button. In light mode it is virtually transparent, offering an open-air experience even in cold weather. In its dark state the roof provides welcome shade and prevents the interior from heating up from the sun's rays.

The 2012 SLK-Class goes on-sale in the U.S. this summer.

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Luigi Lugmayr
Luigi is the founding chief Editor of I4U News and brings over 15 years experience in the technology field to the ever evolving and exciting world of gadgets. He started I4U News back in 2000 and evolved it into vibrant technology magazine.
Luigi can be contacted directly at ml@i4u.com. Luigi posts regularly on LuigiMe.com about his experience running I4U.