There will be two models of the 2012 SLK available in its first year, both powered by direct-injection engines. The completely redesigned V6 engine in the SLK350 develops 302 hp from its 3498 cubic-centimeter displacement, using this power to accelerate in 5.4 (est.) seconds from 0 to 60 mph (top speed 155 mph). Its fuel Later on in the model year, the SLK250 goes on-sale with a four-cylinder engine developing 201 hp from a displacement of 1796 cubic centimeters.
The SLK250 is equipped as standard with a 6-speed manual transmission and consumes an estimated 27 mpg (combined). From a standstill it reaches 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, and it has a top speed of 155 mph.
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Technical Data
| SLK250 | SLK350 | ||
| Vehicle type | Two-door, convertible hardtop | Two-door, convertible hardtop | |
| Chassis | Lightweight steel unibody | Lightweight steel unibody | |
| Engine | Inline 4 | V6 | |
| Valve arrangement | Four valves per cylinder | Four valves per cylinder | |
| Valvetrain | DOHC per cylinder | DOHC per cylinder | |
| Displacement (cc) | 1,796 | 3,498 | |
| Bore (in.) | 3.23 | 3.66 | |
| Stroke (in.) | 3.35 | 3.39 | |
| Compression ratio | 9.3:1 | 12.2:1 | |
| Horsepower @ rpm | 201 @ 5,500 | 302 @ 6,500 | |
| Torque (lb-ft.) @ rpm | 229 @ 2,000 – 4,000 | 273 @ 3,500 – 5,250 | |
| Intake system | Turbo, Direct Injection w/ TBD lbs. boost |
Naturally Aspirated, Direct Injection | |
| Max. engine speed (rpm) | 6,450 | 6,800 | |
| Transmission | Six-speed manual standard / Seven-speed automatic optional |
Seven-speed automatic | |
| Shift controls | For auto: Shift paddles and Touch Shift manual shift control. Selectable Manual mode. |
Shift paddles and Touch Shift manual shift control. Selectable Manual mode. |
|
| Gear ratios | Man / Auto | Automatic | |
|
1
|
TBD / 4.38:1 | 4.38:1 | |
|
2
|
TBD / 2.86:1 | 2.86:1 | |
|
3
|
TBD / 1.92:1 | 1.92:1 | |
|
4
|
TBD / 1.37:1 | 1.37:1 | |
|
5
|
TBD / 1.00:1 | 1.00:1 | |
|
6
|
TBD / 0.82:1 | 0.82:1 | |
|
7
|
— / 0.73:1 | 0.73:1 | |
|
R
|
TBD / -3.42:1 | – 3.42:1 | |
|
R2 “comfort mode”
|
— / – 2.23:1 | – 2.23:1 | |
| Final drive | 3.07:1 | 3.07:1 | |
| Stability control | ESP stability control | ESP stability control | |
| Suspension | |||
| front | Independent suspension, coil spring, Single-tube gas pressure |
Independent suspension, coil spring, Single-tube gas pressure |
|
| rear | Independent multi-link suspension, Coil Spring, Single tube gas pressure |
Independent multi-link suspension, Coil Spring, Single tube gas pressure |
|
| Steering | Hydraulic rack-and-pinion with ECO power steering pump, Direct-Steer variable ratio rack |
Hydraulic rack-and-pinion with ECO power steering pump, Direct-Steer variable ratio rack |
|
| Turning radius (ft.) | TBD | TBD | |
| Wheels (in.) | front | 17 | 18 |
| rear | 17 | 18 | |
| Tires | front | 225 / 45 R17 | 225 / 40 R18 |
| rear | 245 / 40 R17 | 245 / 35 R18 | |
| Brakes | |||
| Disc diameter (in./mm) | front | 12.7 (ventilated) | 13.5 (ventilated) |
| rear | 11.8 (solid) | 11.8 (solid) | |
| Disc thickness (in./mm) | front | 1.3 / 32 | 1.3 / 32 |
| rear | 0.4 / 10 | 0.4 / 10 | |
| Exterior dimensions (in/mm) | |||
| Wheelbase | 95.67 | 95.67 | |
| Length | 162.76 | 162.76 | |
| Width | 71.26 | 71.26 | |
| Height | 51.22 | 51.22 | |
| Ground clearance (in.) | |||
| Track | front | 61.38 | 61.38 |
| rear | 61.81 | 61.81 | |
| Interior dimensions (in.) | |||
| Head room | front | 37.99 | 37.99 |
| 2nd / 3rd row | N/A | N/A | |
| Leg room | front | TBD | TBD |
| 2nd / 3rd row | N/A | N/A | |
| Shoulder room | front | 52.20 | 52.20 |
| 2nd | N/A | N/A | |
| Cargo Length | Back row up | — | — |
| Back | N/A | N/A | |
| Capacities | |||
| Cabin volume (cu. ft.) | |||
| Cargo volume | seats up | 10.1 (roof closed) | 10.1 (roof closed) |
| Back row down | 6.4 (open roof) | 6.4 (open roof) | |
| Curb weight (lbs.) | |||
| Towing (lbs.) | N/A | N/A | |
| Max. total payload | |||
| Fuel tank/reserve (gallons) | 18.5 | 18.5 | |
| Performance | |||
| 0-60 (seconds) | 6.5 | 5.6 | |
| Top speed (mph) | 155 | 155 | |
| Fuel mileage, city/hwy | 27 MPG comb. (est.) | 23 MPG comb. (est.) | |
