For the first time since production began back in 1996, Mercedes-Benz is following in the footsteps of Audi by offering a diesel-engined version of its baby Roadster, the SLK-Class. Impressively, the SLK 250 CDI gets through just 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres, whereas the TT needs 5.5 litres. And with a CO2 figure of 128 gram/km (TT – 144), it’s cleaner in the emissions department too.
Powered by a 150 kW (204 hp) four-cylinder unit displacing 2143 cc, the SLK cracks 100km/h in just 6.7 seconds and can reach a top speed of 243 km/h (151 mph). That’s a full second faster than the TT Roadster to 100 km/h, which is also runs out of steam 20 km/h before the SLK.
We suspect that the Audi’s quattro drivetrain soak up some performance – and weight, giving it a distinct disadvantage, but if it were our money we’d be handing our credit card details to the guys from Ingolstadt.
[Source: Mercedes-Benz]
