Mercedes SLK 200 Acceleration Test and Walkaround

Even though convertible season is approaching its end, or perhaps because of it, the Audi TT Roadster is the talk of the town after making its debut yesterday. But in case its FWD-based architecture and VW Golf roots left you wanting something more, we would like to bring to your attention the Mercedes-Benz SLK.

Today, we're going to take a quick look at a couple of views that show what it would be like to actually live with a 2014 SLK 200 roadster, the entry level-model of the range. Of course, this being a Mercedes, it's not that cheap, but you do get a lot more bang than you might expect.

Power comes from a 1.8-liter rated at 184 PS (181 hp) and 270 Nm (200 lb-ft) of torque, all sent out though a slick six-speed manual. It's the exact same power output as a base Audi TT with a 2.0 TDI ultra diesel engine, which also has a lot more torque. Despite this, the SLK is faster, taking the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 7.3 seconds (TT numbers haven't been confirmed, but will show nearer to 8 seconds).

Price? Not cheap: the basic car is €39,359 in Germany (not available in the US) and for that you don't get the AMG package or large alloys, which we think you should definitely order. One other clear advantage over the Audi mode besides the RWD is that Mercedes has always sold its small roadster with a folding metal roof. This isn't a real comfort advantage any more, since the latest multi layer rag-tops are quiet, but the sleek lines pretty much speak for themselves.

The cabin is the SLK's weakest point. It's filled with buttons and trim from other old Mercedes models, especially the W204 C-Class. On the other hand, the TT interior is like a work of art, featuring an digital 12-inch speedometer screen and climate control functions in the air vents.