The Mercedes SLK convertible is receiving new engines and a new optional gearbox as part of a series of updates for 2015.
Mercedes has confirmed these changes for the SLK, which come into effect before this model is given a facelift and is renamed the SLC in early 2016.
Changes for this year include a new engine for the entry-level SLK 200 specification. It now uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, which delivers the same 181bhp output as its predecessor. This new unit, however, produces extra torque and, when combined with the six-speed manual gearbox, the 0-62mph sprint time is reduced by 0.4 seconds to just 6.9 in total.
The entry-level engine also improves the SLK’s combined fuel economy by 5.5mpg to an official figure of 49.6mpg.
Moving further up the SLK range, the 250 specification has been replaced by the SLK 300. It uses the same petrol engine as the new 200 model but delivers 242bhp and even more extra torque. It also now uses as standard an all-new nine-speed automatic gearbox.
All of this allows the SLK 300 to achieve the 0-62mph benchmark sprint in just 5.8 seconds, which is 0.8 seconds less compared to the outgoing SLK 250. The combined fuel economy for the SLK 300 is recorded at 48.7mpg, which is 7.8mpg greater than the SLK 250.
The diesel-run SLK 250 CDI, meanwhile, has been replaced by the new 250d specification. Both use a 201bhp 2.2-litre four-cylinder engine, but the new 250d features urea injection technology which helps reduce the car’s CO2 emissions.
Another difference with the new 250d is that rather than offer the choice between a standard six-speed manual gearbox and a seven-speed automatic ‘box, it now only comes with the new nine-speed auto ‘box.
The new 250d spec covers the 0-62mph sprint in 6.6 seconds, a tenth of a second less than its predecessor, while the combined fuel economy is boosted by 5.3mpg to a total of 64.2mpg.
All other engines in the Mercedes SLK line-up remain untouched for now. Other options, therefore, include a 302bhp 3.5-litre V6 petrol for the SLK 350 and a 415bhp 5.5-litre V8 petrol for the SLK 55 AMG.
