WE Brits, convertible sales statistics are always suggesting, are a right bunch of optimists.
You know that our collective glass is always half full because we buy more open-top cars than any other nation in Europe; more, in fact, than the French, the Spanish and the Germans put together. This despite our overcast skies, our never-ending showers, our cancelled barbecues and our flash floods. As a nation, we love our convertibles, our cabriolets and - best of all - our two-seater sports cars. Despite knowing they're going to get us soaked.
Mercedes, I've always reckoned, has understood this peculiarly British predicament because it revived the art of the folding metal roof for its original SLK, a car which not only looked great but combined the wind-in-the-hair thrills with the security and comfort of a coupe. As a recipe it was always going to be a hit with British buyers, and since the original's launch in 1996 it's got faster, smoother and handier in the handling stakes.
The third generation of the car, tested by Life On Cars in six-cylinder SLK250 form, has also updated its supercar styling cues; while its predecessor had a hint of SLR Mclaren about it, the new one's made more than a subtle nod to the stunning SLS coupe. I reckon in one of the most style-savvy sectors of the new car market it looks fantastic, managing to come across as fun-loving and free-spirited but hard charging and meaty with it. To my mind, better looking than both the Boxster and BMW's Z4.
But don't be fooled into thinking Merc's offering is going to be some uncomfortable, uncompromising roadster, because once that slick and secure metal roof's up you'd swear you were in a C-Class saloon. Putting its power to the rear wheels through an automatic gearbox - unusual for a open sports car - and blessed with sumptuous leather seats, a delightfully powerful heater to keep you snug even if you're al fresco on the chilliest of winter days, the SLK is as snug as a freshly-knitted jumper.
It handles the corners capably enough but if you're looking for seat-of-the-pants thrills this isn't the roadster for that; you're better off trying either Porsche's Boxster or Lotus' Elise, on offer for similar money, instead. The SLK is instead a sports car that's the sensible choice, because it'll cope better with our British summer.
What's left of it, of course.
As published in The Champion on July 27, 2011.
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