Test drive Mercedes Benz SLK R170 1996 - 2000 convertible

In winter and summer - one convertible

Our first acquaintance with Mercedes-Benz Slk took place in the summer. Then, in addition to enthusiasm, we dared to express the opinion that this is almost the only open car that is ideal for our conditions, because you can ride it all year round. Even in Russia. It's time to check it out.
THE LITTLE PRINCE
When he was rolled out of the car dealership right on the snow in the yard, we felt a little sorry. It was as if an exotic heat -loving animal was brought here and released for death. But it was worth raising the roof, as everything turned out to be in place - SLK became like a typical representative of German nationality. As if not for the first time in Moscow.
But this time, Mercedes has released a model that differs from others not just with the roundness of the headlights or engine power ... As it should be real Mercedes, Slk has a throw, but without elaboration with appearance and stuffed with original solutions and the most modern technology. The inscription on board the car compressor, on the one hand, is a tribute to tradition: it was the compressor that was equipped in the 20s SSK and SSKL sports models. So in the heart of the current SLK there is a real fiery motor. About him - below.
An extra reminder of the ancestors is the design of the salon. There is still no kokpit. After all, whatever one may say, and SLK is primarily a class. And relatives are supposed to have cockpit. Everything here screams that you sat down in a thoroughbred sports car. The wide door threshold is lined with a strip of unpainted metal into the hole. Metal, with the drilling of the pedal site, a short massive gearbox lever. Stylish leather seats with emphasized side support. Behind the headrests are thick security arches. But the most powerful impression is made by round devices, taken into thin rim of chromium. And the backlight? We have not met this yet. Bright-orange eyes of the CEFERCES appear through the white scales, and the scales themselves are somehow unexpectedly shaded and begin to shimmerly shimmer. Hell! I don’t want to get out of here. But we must - we have already reached the editorial office.
SLK-Show
Almost the entire commercial publishing house fled to look at the miracle. Having walked around, clinging, almost everyone asked two identical questions: how much strength does he have? And the compressor is this turbocharged? If everything is clear with the first - 193 horsepower, then the second question soon began to enjoy us. After all, you can’t explain on the fingers how a voluminous supercharger works. If in a nutshell, then the main difference from the traditional turbine is that the compressor is driven and charges the machine directly from the crankshaft of the engine. It does not need to be promoted - it works from the lowest revolutions. But the attention of the curious ones immediately switched to the process of folding and disguising the roof.
When the lid of the trunk rose and the top of the car slowly disappeared in his womb, the vocabulary of the observers ran out. There were only exclamations. Some kind of attraction! The reserve was still worried about everyone - what healthy is nagging. She, as expected, was discovered under the floor of the trunk and touched all those who were vividly interested in their size. Not only is the narrow thing - this is a common thing, but also the diameter is small. But when you pump, it becomes like an adult wheel. Well, that's enough to walk around the bush. It's time to see what the strong man is capable of.
Little tornado
Wow small! Yes, this is some kind of hurricane! One sound is worth it. The motor rumbles with displeasure: why woke up? Well, I'll show you now! And it can. No wonder here is such a tight gas pedal - it is necessary to handle it more likely. He came a little stronger - and Slk shows the burrows, bursts. Just have time to catch the steering wheel. The anti -wings system helps to curb the horse. But you still should not relax: there is a short period of time, sufficient to start with pirouettes, between the sharp pressing on the gas and the moment of the anti -wings trigger.
Yes, the prince requires a respectful attitude. You need to get used to his character. The efforts on all three pedals are different. The most stubborn is the gas pedal, then the clutch is a decent moment, and the brake, on the contrary, is very soft. At first it confuses a little. But the steering wheel is rather sharp. And the informativeness of the gear lever is beyond praise. It works on two clicks - first you physically feel the beginning of the inclusion, and then a clear fixation of the transmission. Class!
Seeing, you notice that you were drawn to exploits. The car is right: Do you want this steep turn to fly at speed? Hold on! - and reliably prescribes a curve. And you feel that there is still a stock. There is a supply in everything. Do you need to shoot when overtaking? Davi for gas! But carefully. But Davi. Or engine braking. If, when switching to a reduced gear, let go of the clutch, you feel how Slk even begins to play the back of the asphalt. Apparently, the designers took on the basis the principle of the reserve pocket does not pull. So if you want to chase, the rivals on the road will still have to look at first. And the attention of others is simply guaranteed to you. This, by the way, also constitutes the pleasure that SLK is able to deliver.
The next day we were going to take photography. The snowball passed at night, and our hurricane was a verse. Does not want to accelerate properly, and that's it. A light bulb, signaling the operation of the anti -wings system, flashes without a break. In general, not a hurricane, but a storm in a glass. And rightly. How many times have been said: shoe for the season! And then there is nothing to be offended if in summer shoes in the Moscow slush climbed!
Of course, in practicality, our hero will yield to some ordinary sedan or station wagon. There are only two places, and you can’t throw a bag of potatoes into the trunk. And the main purpose of him is different - to deliver joy to its owner. In fact, you will not take a girlfriend to ride, say, on a pickup - tea, not in the Texas outback. And at the same time, SLK should not be the second, walking machine. It is quite suitable for daily operation, becoming your only favorite. So if you are young, rich and not burdened with a numerous family, SLK will be able to emphasize your unique personality. But in a hurry: they are imported a little to Russia and orders were accepted until 1998.
The editors thanks Panavto, (095) 974-6267, which provided the car for a test.
For the period of the test, the car was insured in the insurance company of the Resa-Garantia, (095) 250-3600, 255-6834, 254-2272.
Briefly about sports, light, short
Former Soviet citizens, as no one else, will understand the features of the ratio of proposal and demand for the new Mercedes Roadster. There is a real deficit and real excitement demand. Almost like furniture sets in the USSR.
Firstly, the longest queues. Last year, the future owners of SLK in Germany recorded in 1998. In Russia, there was, however, smaller - ten months. But this is last year. And now, in the homeland of the Rotter, the tail has already stretched until 2002.
Secondly, speculation. Recently, an announcement unusual for prosperous Germany has appeared in Automotorsport: the right to receive Mercedes SLK for six months is sold; DM50 thousand bargaining is inappropriate. A good Navar, given that SLK itself is about 60 thousand marks in Germany.
Thirdly, almost police measures for violators. They are not shot on the spot, and yet ... Despite all his respect for customers, Mercedes-Benz decided on such an unpopular measure: they first deprived customers with a pleasant opportunity to pick up SLK directly from the factory. Sorry, only through official dealers, they answer impatient customers. The fact is that in the context of excitement demand for each country it was necessary to install a quota (for Russia - about 30 cars a year). And Mercedes fears: what if an independent buyer takes out a brand new Slk not to the country that the company planned and violates this fragile quota balance?
In general, the new little class made a real splash. A week is a week, and a lot of movie celebrities are already driving it. Claudia Schiffer, the most expensive waist of Europe (only it will not receive rights - there is no time); Michael Eisner, the legendary Savior of the Disney Empire, who in few remaining a minute is worn on Hollywood on SLK yellow.
The secret of popularity is revealed by Bruno Sakko, the head of the team who came up with the design of the new machine: we made a petty, focused on the future and uniquely combining pure pleasure from driving with typically Mercedes safety characteristics. The pleasure, according to Gerth Nissler, the director of the Mercedes-Benz sales in Russia, is that you can be young for twenty years at the wheel of SLK.
In Russia, a stormy interest in SLK has been kept from last year's Moscow car dealership - more precisely, from the moment when a solid Mercedes representative pulled a dark blue veil from the Rodster. The seller was bombarded with questions on the German miracle, and by no means idle: when and how can you buy this expensive toy? Mostly artists and large television people were interested. Igor Ugolnikov approached among others - I thought whether to give a gift to his wife. Which was delighted with the novelty, but was somewhat embarrassed by the lack of a hard roof. So, that I even turned to the seller with the question: is it possible, if it is impossible to protect the whole salon, at least put a safe in the typewriter? And then even a handbag has nowhere to put. In general, among Russian admirers of SLK (owners are still units) there are many fair sex. Almost half.
Of course, SLK is never the first car in the family. And the second too. And the third. Approximately fourth or fifth. As one of the sellers of Almo Authorum put it, the official Mercedes dealer is never used by SLK business, only for enthusiasm. One client, for example, certainly wanted to buy a class for a May trip to Yalta - so that nothing would interfere with the healing seaside air. He suggested, they say, any money. But I have not yet received an answer.
And the most peculiar buyer can be called a businessman who took SLK as a temporary car. The fact is that he is waiting for two full -sized Meruses - E 420 and C 280. Moreover, both were ordered with such bells and whistles that to realize a bold intent needed many months of joint efforts of two well -known tuning firms - Brabus and AMG. In the meantime, rides on SLK.
But actually, Mercedes dealers say, the SLK season is just beginning ...
Model/Modification SLK 230 Kompressor
Manufacturer Mercedes-Benz AG, Germany
BODY
Type Roadster/Dill
Number of doors/places 2/2
ENGINE
Basin type with multi -point injection
The location in front is longitudinally
Working volume, cm cube. 2295
Number/location of cylinders 4 in a row
Cylinder diameter X piston stroke, mm 90.9x88.4
Compression degree 8.8
Power, kW (p.) At rpm 142 (193) at 5300
Moment, NM at rpm 280 at 2500-4800
Valve number/cylinder 4
TRANSMISSION
Rear -wheel drive
Gearbox is a mechanical five -speed
SUSPENSION
Front 2 triangular transverse levers with a reptile stabilizer
The back is multi -link
STEERING
Type gear-rake, with hydraulic power steering
Brakes
Front disk (ventilated)
The rear disc
ABS standard equipment
Wheels
Disk size, front 16x7j
Disc size, rear 16x8j
Tire size, front 205/55 R16
Tire size, rear 225/50 r16
Dimensions/about EME/Weight
Length/width/height, mm 3995/1715/1270
Wheel base, mm 2400
The track front/track is rear, mm 1488/1480
Minimum turning radius, m 5.29
Equipped mass, kg 1325
Full mass, kg 1585
Dynamic characteristics
Maximum speed, km/h 231
Acceleration to 100 km/h, sec 7.6
Cost in Moscow, thousand $ 64

What else
The entire listed company of sports relatives has six -cylinder engines of approximately the same power. This is perhaps the only thing that unites them besides the fact that they are open and double.
Only the BMW Z3, \u200b\u200blike Mercedes, has a classic layout. When creating it, the emphasis was not on bells and whistles - so as not to make it too expensive, and on the rest of the traditionally strengths of Bavarian cars - excellent handling and powerful reliable engines. And of course - design. It is enough to recall what James Bond traveled to in his last film Golden Eye
Today, Boxster is perhaps the most democratic model of the company. Porsche specialists, when developing it, as always, launched their main trump card - the opposition engine, installing it this time in the base. In addition to the usual advantages of such a layout affecting running qualities, this made it possible to make two (albeit small) trunk. And in the list of additional equipment there is a hard roof, which, however, does not add anywhere, but simply removed.
The Italians also decided to play in their field and leaned on design. However, they also did not forget about controllability, conjuring with the suspension. And Alpha engines do not need special recommendations.
 
Alexander Kalugin,
Vasily Shaposhnikov (photo)
 

Source: "Autopilot"