LuckyDog

I really don't llike that sloping bodycrease in the picture above. The sketch looks great, but they picture kinda' downs it.

Also, that article said "Built on the shortened floorpan of the current C-Class, the new SLK will be offered again with a wide range of engines, starting with a 1.8-liter 190-horsepower four cylinder, a 211-horsepower 3.2-liter V-6 and a 258-horsepower V-6, followed by the AMG 3.2-liter V-6 with 350 hp."

I never knew MB had a 258hp V6, has anyone heard of this? I know the M-Class has a 3.7l V6 (in the ML350), but that doesn't make 258hp and it's a truck engine. Are they going to refine and standardize this engine (as a replacement to the 4.3l V8, and to fill the gap between the 3.2l and the 5.0 in the line-up?) Maybe it was a typo, especially since the 3.2 currently makes 215hp, 211hp would be a step down. Perhaps the 2.6l V6 will move up to 211hp (which is possible), and the 3.2l V6 will go up to 258hp? Show up BMW which only has 225hp.

ChrisB

The new E320 has a:

Net power 221 hp @ 5,600 rpm

Net torque 232 lb-ft @ 3,000 - 4,800 rpm

So thats probabaly 221 instead of 211.

MrFatbooty

Doesn't change the fact that it will be soft and overweight like every other Mercedes out there. It's not a sports car, despite the fact that middle-aged executives will cross shop it with the Z4 when considering what to purchase for their 20 year-old mistress.

boilers

I think some 3.2L engine in MB line up will be replaced by the 3.5L engine. So it's not bulit specifically as a truck's engine. I heard that the new E 320 will be replaced by E 350. And they even have the SL 350 and S 350 in Europe right now.

Mercedes Benz is built more as the touring car than a track car. I always love MB And even though Z4 is a really nice sports car, I doubt most of its buyer will even drive the car hard.

LuckyDog

I didn't know they offered an SL350 or S350. BTW, it's a 3.7l engine, not a 3.5l.

boilers

Oh yeah, my bad, it's a 3.7L engine .

MrFatbooty

In Europe, you can get an S280 and S350. The bottom of the SL range is the SL350.

(Just for random info, you can get an E200 Kompressor and E240 also.)

rick

there are lots of other engines available in europe for MB that we never get.

but i doubt MB will make a move until the E60 comes out from bmw.

yianni64

Yeah, they usually only offer the middle grade engines here. They leave out the smaller engines all the time, and they used to not import the larger engines. But have gotten much better at given us the most powerful engines options.

MrFatbooty

http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content...._code=09669122

Z Chaser: Mercedes-Benz SLK roadster set to debut next spring

Remember that SLK-based Chrysler Crossfire we featured on our April 7th cover? Here’s something to make you forget about it: the 2004 Mercedes-Benz SLK roadster. The next SLK is on a new platform, separate and distinct from the Crossfire.

Look for the debut of Mercedes’ latest two-seat, folding hardtop-equipped BMW Z4 competitor next spring, featuring a Formula One-inspired nose and an assortment of four-cylinder and V6 engines. The top AMG model gets a 375-hp 3.0-liter six.




(For anybody thinking about the title: it's talking about the Z4, not the 350Z. )