Launch of the Mercedes-Benz SLK and C-Class coupe

Mercedes-Benz launched the latest 2-door models - the new SLK and C-Class Coupé last week at an unexpected venue in the form of the Helutrans artspace located at the Tanjong Pagar DistriPark. More than 800 car enthusiasts were the first to get up close with these 2 models.

With the completely newly developed SLK, one of the most exciting and successful sports cars ever built is entering its third generation. The new roadster uncompromisingly takes driving pleasure and open-air enjoyment to a new level. It blends light-footed sportiness with stylish comfort, a striking sports-car design with total suitability for everyday use, top performance with exemplary ecology.

What’s more, the SLK is proud to present the world premiere of the panoramic vario-roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL, which switches to light or dark at the touch of a button. Exemplary efficiency and sporty flair come courtesy of powerful new 4- and 6-cylinder engines featuring the standard-specification ECO start/stop function. With their superb levels of performance, they are up to 25 percent more economical than their predecessors. With a unique set of safety equipment and a wealth of technical innovations, the SLK is once again the benchmark in its class.

The expressive C-Class Coupé sees Mercedes-Benz, now in its 125th year of corporate history, entering a new market segment and for the first time offering a compact coupé with classic proportions. From the side, the new coupé beguiles the onlooker with its flat silhouette with powerful shoulders and narrow C-pillar in a classic three-box design. Typical coupé features include the short front overhang, long bonnet, steeply raked windscreen and long, stretched-out roof.

The entry-level SLK is the SLK200 BlueEFFICIENCY with a sticker price of $248,888. This model is powered by the familiar 1.8-litre four pot from the C-Class saloon. With 184bhp on tap, the base SLK reach 100km/h from rest in 7.3 seconds. The range topping SLK350 BlueEFFICIENCY, at $298,888 is powered by a 306bhp 3.5-litre V6 and is good for a 5.6 seconds 0-100km/h time.

Just like its saloon sibling, the C-Class coupe is offered in several variants. First up in the range is the C180 BlueEFFICIENCY with style package at $196,888 and the better equipped C180 BlueEFFICIENCY at $204,888. Both C180 variants offer 156bhp from their 1.8-litre motors and are good for 8.9 seconds 0-100km/h times. Next up in the model range is the C250 BlueEFFICIENCY at $217,888. This model features the most powerful iteration of the 1.8-litre turbocharged lump, making 204bhp and good enough for a 0-100km/h time of 7.2 seconds. The range topping model is the $267,888 C350 BlueEFFICIENCY with 306bhp from its 3.5-litre V6. The C350 will accelerate to 100km/h from rest in 6 seconds.

Credits: Story by Raymond Lai Photos by Mercedes-Benz and William Whey