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2015 Mercedes SLK Updates: More Powerful 4-Cylinder Engines, 9-Speed Automatic Added

While we wait for them to finish the 2016 SLC Roadster, Mercedes have given us a 2015 model year SLK with slight tweaks to the engine range and added standard equipment.
2015 Mercedes SLK-Class 1 photo
Photo: Mercedes Benz
The entry-level SLK 200 model, which you can buy from €39,650 in Germany, still has a power output of 184 hp, but the torque has been increased to 300 Nm (222 lb-ft or 30 Nm more). Unless we're mistaken, this is because the older models used a 1.8-liter engine, which they've phased out in favor of a new 2-liter one from the C-Class.

The SLK 200 benefits from a new 6-speed manual gearbox, which Mercedes says feels more comfortable in your hand and gives precise shifting.

Next up in the range is the new SLK 300, which replaces the old 250 model. The same 2-liter turbo is used, this time producing 245 hp and 370 Nm (273 lb-ft), 60 Nm (44 lb-ft) more than before. The car costs €46,000 in Germany and will get you to 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds, which frankly isn't that impressive.

The SLK 250 d (used to be called CDI) remains the only diesel-powered version of the car and delivers 204 HP (150 kW) and 500 Nm (372 lb-ft). The engine is mated to a new nine-speed 9G-TRONIC automatic gearbox as standard. It gets you to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds, which is faster than an Audi TT 2.0 TDI, and emits just 114 grams of CO2, making it the class leader.

There are a couple of naturally aspirated engines that have carried over unchanged, the 3.5-liter SLK 350 which we tested a few years ago, and the 55 AMG model powered by a 5.5-liter with cylinder deactivation.

Slightly more equipment is going to be offered as standard with the car, starting with LED daytime running lights and a multimedia update. It might not be much, but convertible sales are not what they used to be, so it's not surprising we don't see the same level of innovation as in 1996 when the SLK debuted.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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