fun to drive. The mechanical supercharger forces air into a 2.3-liter twincam
16-valve four-cylinder engine, the same engine, sans supercharging, used
in M-B's C-Class sedans. A variety of high-tech features work with the
blower to make the engine both powerful and responsive. Peak power--191
hp--is impressive, but the key to this engine's willingness to play is
a wide band of peak torque, available from 2500 to 4800 rpm.
Behind the engine is a five-speed automatic transmission that features
"adaptive" electronics that monitor driving style and tailor
the shift time and speed to suit. In enthusiastic driving mode, for example,
it will shift at the engine's peak power, and will not upshift when the
car is slowed for a corner. In more sedate use, it changes gears with remarkable
smoothness.
Perfection? Not quite. While the muted whine of the supercharger will
be music to some, the exhaust note has a slightly agricultural quality
to it. We also found a little more engine vibration than we'd like at cruising
speeds, and the absence of a manual transmission isn't consistent with
a real sports car image. Mercedes offers a very crisp five-speed manual
on European SLK models, but elected not to certify it for the U.S. market. Next Page