2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Interior Review at Automotive.com
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2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Review: Interior

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2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Review

Macho looks, more power and a heater to keep your neck warm.
Interior
Inside, the added length and width have created passenger quarters that are a tad more roomy. The environs remain cozy but less cramped. Still, storage is almost non-existent but for the glovebox and door pockets. Purses, briefcases and jackets have to stow in the trunk when two passengers are aboard. Highly adjustable in a variety of directions, the seats are extremely comfortable and supportive even during long drives.

What's most impressive about the new SLK interior is the giant leap in quality of materials. The material covering the dash is irresistible to touch, soft and almost silky. Switches, buttons and trim are silver against the dark background. Five color choices for the interior are offered, black, blue, beige, red and ash. The ambiance is high-tech but not in a steely cold way, but rather in an inviting manner. The only wood is that which is ordered with the optional Vavona wood trim package.

A large center console divides the cabin in half. The console is home to the optional navigation and communications systems. In front of the driver, the redesigned instrument cluster features two large dials surrounded in silver, one of the speedometer, clock and fuel gauge, the other for the tachometer. Both have white needles.

Automatic climate control with built-in sun and pollutant sensors is standard.

A number of new techie features are available on the SLK. Among the most intriguing is what Mercedes calls the Active Heated Headrest or, in other countries, the AirScarf, deemed too feminine a name for the U.S. A first in the industry, the heater installed in the upper backrests of both seats blows warm air about the head and neck. Mercedes says the heater will allow the SLK to go topless for more hours of the day and to extend its top-down season. Traveling with the top and windows down, one can barely feel a whisper of warm air from the heater. The trick is to power the windows up and then one feels the warming blast, which can be set at one of three levels. Another clever feature is an infrared remote control to raise and lower the metal roof, useful for letting hot air out as you're walking up to the car (and great for showing off). Next Page



2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class
  
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