2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK 420

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MERCEDES-BENZ

Make more parking spaces on the lot for the line of Mercedes-Benz of Germany, which enters 2003 with even more vehicles in an extensive and diverse collection. The products, clustered in alphabetical classes by size and style, include sophisticated new two-seat sports cars, sporty two-door coupes, rakish convertibles and muscular sport-utility wagons, plus souped-up performance versions for many categories under the AMG label. This year the SL Class of drop-top roadsters spins up a new design that's an automotive work of art as well as a rolling showcase for high-tech controls and the Mercedes version of automotive wizardry couched in trappings of luxury and comfort. Also new is a fresh treatment for mid-size E Class sedans marked as E320 and E500, both bearing the electronic braking system out of SL500 plus smart air bags. Mid-size CLK Class coupes ride on a new platform with dynamic pillar-less designs for two new models, CLK320 and CLK500. The already extensive compact-size C Class expands with new all-wheel-drive (AWD) variants of the C240 sedan and C320 sedan and wagon. Top-of-the-line S Class sedans also earn AWD issues with 4Matic S430 and S500 models, and all S Class cars promote a new PreSafe tool that instantly rigs the vehicle for an unavoidable impact by activating electric seat belt tensioners and passenger's front seat moving to optimum safety position and backrest raised, seat bottom lowered and seat shoved rearward. New powertrains drop into elite CL Class coupes, such as a supercharged V8 for CL55 AMG pumping 493 hp, and bi-turbo V12 in CL600 worth 469 hp. And multiple models continue in the SLK Class of roadsters and M Class of sport-utility wagons, while the G Class of no-compromise super-SUVs expands for a new performance issue dubbed G55 AMG packing a hand-assembled 5.5-liter V8 good for 347 hp.

SL CLASS: A fifth generation of SL designs begins with the SL500, longer and wider with seats for only two in a luxurious cockpit crowned by a sleek hardtop that, at the tap of a console switch, folds through electro-hydraulic muscle and tucks below the trunk lid. Its design, in part homage to the original gullwing SL but also a projection into the future of sophisticated automobiles, projects fluid lines of painted aluminum and plastic flowing upward from the low prow over a sculptured hood and canted windshield to arc across a pillar-less roof to the curvy high tail. The design scores among the most artistic to come from Mercedes, and, considering the entailed list of high-tech mechanical hardware encased by all of that curvaceous car metal, it's certainly the most sophisticated -- and it carries more computer-controlled electronic hardware for safety and operation than virtually any other car in the world. There are devices aboard to stabilize forward movement and tire traction, smart brakes and adjustable suspension settings, plus multiple air bags to cushion the human cargo. SL500 also has electronic brakes in a first of a kind brake-by-wire system dubbed Sensotronic Brake Control. Power comes from a 5.0-liter V8 that delivers 302 hp through the Mercedes five-speed automatic transmission with one-tap clutch-less TouchShift feature. An elegant interior features a cockpit with twin seats separated by a console and trimmings in fine leather, elegant wood and strips of polished aluminum. Power controls everything, and seats have internal ventilators. A second version also appears with the SL55 AMG performance edition toting a supercharged V8 with 493 hp to propel the car from zero to 60 mph in only 4.5 seconds. The active suspension is programmed for tight handling, with racing-derived brakes aboard plus a special interior trim.

E CLASS: A new generation for Mercedes mid-size luxury sedans emerges on a new platform with two models -- E320 and E500. The E320 volume model orients to value with price points undercutting the previous edition despite more gear aboard, while E500 is a performance model with superior handling trails and power raised over the previous E430. A new facade, seeming familiar to the previous model yet also fresh and uncluttered, features a new interpretation of the twin-headlamp face that initiated this trait on Mercedes sedans with the E320 of 1996. The new sedans present a smooth sweep in arching profile with coupe styling on the roof due to blacked-out center pillars. E320 takes its name from the 3.2-liter V6 engine, good for 221 hp as translated through the Mercedes five-speed automatic with TouchShift. E500 goes further with a 5.0-liter V8 charged to 302 hp. Besides electronic braking, both sedans stock a new four-link front suspension coupled to the Airmatic device with selectable levels of comfort and ride height. A new design for the five-seat cabin draws on fine leathers and rich polished hardwoods, and high-tech Mercedes options appear like Keyless Go, Distronic adaptive cruise control, a twin-window Panorama Sunroof and energy-generating solar panels, plus bi-xenon headlamps and a DVD-based navigation system.

CLK CLASS: Two sensuous two-door coupes of mid-size dimensions appear in new designs for 2003. Promoting a dynamic pillar-less format with twin-headlamp face borrowed from the E320 sedan, these prime Mercedes coupes seat four in comfortable luxury. Every angle exaggerates the aerodynamic fluidity of motion: Grille tilts back further than on the E sedan, the hood slopes more seriously and windshield cants to the extreme to achieve a low line on the arching roof. New issues include the CLK320 containing the 3.2-liter V6 for 215 hp and CLK500 with the 5.0-liter V8 rated at 302 hp. Available features range from Distronic cruise control to bi-xenon headlamps and Keyless Go. Convertible models extend previous editions into 2003 with the CLK320 Cabriolet and CLK430 Cabriolet, although the CLK55 AMG performance model fades away.

C CLASS: Compact-class cars by Mercedes skew from an affordable sports coupe and practical station wagon to a powerful AMG performance sedan. In between these extremes are new AWD editions for sedans and wagons. The AWD equipment -- called 4Matic in Mercedes nomenclature with 40/60 percent front/rear torque split -- applies to C240 and C320 sedans and the C320 wagon. Also new is the rear-wheel-drive (RWD) C240 wagon with a 2.6-liter V6 aboard plus six-speed manual transmission. The C Class hatchback coupe has a new supercharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine tuned to 189 hp. Supercharging a relatively small engine like this maximizes output without adding undue weight. The plant links to either a notchy six-speed manual or the smooth Mercedes five-speed adaptable automatic. Noteworthy mechanical tools aboard include power rack and pinion steering for precise turning control, plus power-assisted disc brakes tied to anti-lock and traction control systems, even a sophisticated and computerized electronic device that stems lateral slippage of the wheels and maintains straight-line stability. The performance sedan -- C32 AMG -- continues with a supercharged V6 maxed to 349 hp. It also has brakes and suspension derived from race cars, plus special wheels and tires. Optional bi-xenon headlamps now work on all models.

S CLASS: Elite full-size Mercedes sedans continue with four editions -- S430, S500, S600 and (arriving late) S55 AMG -- but with a facelift that adds new front fascia, redesigned headlamps and taillight glass plus interior updates. In addition, there are new 4Matic AWD versions for S430 and S500. Powertrain enhancements also come from a new bi-turbo V12 for S600 at 469 hp and a supercharged V8 in S55 AMG ripped to 493 hp. The performance-geared AMG model also has new redundant SpeedShift buttons mounted on the steering wheel, plus a racing-derived brake system and redesigned cockpit. S430 stocks the 4.0-liter Mercedes V8 at 275 hp, but S500 goes further with the single-cam 5.0-liter V8 cranked to 302 hp. With fitted seats and touches of polished hardwoods and fine leather decorating the cabin, these stretched sedans envelop passengers in a staggering array of sophisticated controls and perks to make life in the fast lane not only comfortable but secure. Also, there are so many mechanical systems working latently for protection, including devices that stabilize forward movement and tire traction, smart brakes and adjustable suspensions, plus as many as eight air bags lurking to cushion fragile human cargo.

CL CLASS: Full-size coupes that crown the Mercedes line reflect exterior changes for S Class sedans with new fascia, headlamp and taillight designs and interior updates. Powertrain improvements from S Class also carry over to CL Class coupes with the bi-turbo V12 for CL600 and new supercharged V8 for CL55 AMG. CL500 gets the powerful 5.0-liter V8.

SLK CLASS: With that eye-popping prow, flat side panels accented with big blackwalls and rakish windshield stretched wide across a cockpit for two, snappy SLK Class two-seat coupes can shed that hard top in seconds and store it in the trunk to switch from weather-tight coupe to airy convertible. The series repeats in 2003 with three editions capped by the powerful SLK32 AMG performance model packing a supercharged 3.2-liter V6 and rolling on twin-spoke alloy AMG wheels. SLK320 draws from a 215 hp V6 and the entry edition SLK230 Kompressor uses a supercharged dual-cam 2.3-liter four-pack.

ML CLASS: Mercedes builds mid-size SUV wagons that drive like a fine sedan and feel as comfortable, but there's also ample cargo space in the back plus go-anywhere attributes of a four-wheel-drive (4WD) wagon. New issues offer an optional DVD-based navigation system that may be retrofitted to any ML Class wagon dating back to year 2000. Entry to the series comes from the ML320 with 3.2-liter V6. ML500 stocks a 5.0-liter V8 for 300 hp, while ML55 AMG as a high-performance super-SUV in limited numbers has the 5.5-liter V8 by AMG kicked to 342 hp. A full-time 4WD system for all does not lock axles to maintain traction in slippery situations, but senses a slipping wheel electronically, then brakes the slippage and redirects power to wheels with better grip.

G CLASS: From a Mercedes assembly plant in Graz, Austria, the hand-crafted G Class wagons roll out in limited numbers as no-compromise off-road SUVs capable of venturing far away from pavement where conventional 4WD vehicles dare not tread. The G500 carries every mechanical armament -- a full-time 4WD system, traction control, vehicle stability system, three differential locks (center plus rear and front), anti-lock brakes and electronic brake force distribution -- then flexes muscle from the Mercedes 5.0-liter V8. For 2003, a new G55 AMG performance issue joins the G500 in this series with the 5.5-liter AMG V8 zipped to 347 hp. Despite a rugged exterior design and the hardware of an ultimate off-road warrior, G Class wagons support a passenger cabin lined with luxurious appointments like leather-clad seats and trim in burl walnut wood. A heated steering wheel is standard for 2003, and new options extend to multicontour seats and a premium Harmon Kardon audio system.