The camouflage or cloak that the SLK Roadster from Mercedes-Benz wore during its prototype launch is slowly fading or stripping off as the time of its launch draws nearer. With a year yet to go, the current pictures of the 2012 SLK indicates the missing factors like the heavy cladding that was shown on the test car models.
Even the nose that had been inspired by the F1 has been discarded and in its place there is a much bolder grille and headlamps that are more geometrically shaped has been added. The theme seems to be taken from the SLS AMG Gullwing model. However, what’s seems to be a certainty is that the Z4 competitor from Mercedes would continue to be a two seater roadster and hardtop that be foldable and of two piece construction.
For interior designing and makeup the car adopts the styles from the SLS AMG Gullwing. This is evident from the layout of the instrument cluster as also the two large gauges and the twin air vents with cruciform-style nozzles on the center console.
A shortened version of the new C-Class platform would be used for building this car which has been named as the R172. The suspension though would be the same and modified to provide for better handling responses.
For engine it is rumored that it would have petrol as well as diesel engines. For the petrol engine it would be 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder delivering 200 hp. There would also be the V6 from Mercedes with 3.5 liter displacement and having direct injection. This would produce 306 hp.
There would also be a flagship variant of the car which would have a smaller capacity but twin turbocharged V6 or it may also have the larger V8 engine.
Sales are expected to start next summer and therefore the 2012 SLK should be seen during the Detroit motor show on January 2011 or else at Geneva in March 2011.
Source: carscoop
