It's sleek. It's sporty. It's got the allure to match the badge and has long been the car of choice for the "professional luncheon" set. But the burning question remains, is it all a bit superficial? While the previous model was often caricatured as a feminine sports car for D-list celebrities, this latest model shakes off some of its sexual contextualisation by going butch.
The new SLK achieves everything its predecessor didn't in terms of looks. While the old model harked back to earlier classic times, the new version is all about the present, and takes its design cues from contemporary models: the front from the SLR supercar, the rear lines and folding roof format from the range-topping SL. This is the best of Mercedes design at present, and can confidently go head-to-head with any of its peers in an automotive beauty pageant.
SLK stands for Sportlich, Leicht, Kompact - sporty, light, compact and, in fairness, it has always managed all three, adding a touch of innovation since 1996 with its hard-top electronic folding roof.
Mercedes has tweaked the roof slightly, adopting the same folding format as the bigger SL, which allows more boot space with the roof down, though we doubt you'll get the golf clubs in there. Even with the roof up, its curvature creates a diminutive SL look, while that nose will intimidate many a motorist out of your way. It's one of those cars for which other motorists pull in to the side to let you pass.
But therein lies the problem. The sharp profile builds up into a crescendo of expectation. They're hoping to see you roar past, their ageing Japanese hatchbacks left quivering in your tailwind.
Alas, with the 1.8-litre supercharged unit in the SLK200, you're more likely to gently hum past, throwing up nothing more than a gentle breeze. For all its muscular Formula One styling, the engine note is more of a drone than the racy roar or sporting whine one would expect and you would have hoped that, with twin exhausts as standard, a little work on the acoustics could have paid dividends in matching the aural experience to the visual.
For a car with such aggressive looks, the 161 bhp 1,795-litre comes across as a little lightweight.
This is all the more apparent when twinned with the five-speed automatic gearbox. With a top speed of 140 mph for the automatic, it's no slouch and a 0-62 mph time of 8.8 seconds is no disgrace. But it's at the lower speeds that the car seems a little indolent, requiring you to drop down a gear or two before it perks into life and gives you the desired surge. That's why, despite the fact that several reviewers have found the manual six-speed box too notchy we'd opt for it over the automatic.
That said, the SLK350 comes with one of the sweetest gearboxes around, a seven-speed unit that milks the most from this thunderingly good engine. Having spent a short while behind the wheel of the SLK350, we can honestly say it's a match for BMW's Z4 and even the Porsche Boxster.
In such company the SLK200 looks the damp squib. However, it does have its selling points. By replacing the 1,998cc unit in the previous SLK200 with this engine from the C-Class, Mercedes has managed to scrape under the top rate of Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) and thus offer the car at what could be considered a relatively reasonable price for one of its sports cars.
It also pulls off a decent fuel consumption figure, and over 1,000 miles the test car managed a very credible 28.1 mpg. What's more, when it is wound up, the engine offers all the racing sparkle one would expect from a two-seater. The car's ride and handling is also a world apart from its predecessor, a far more positive affair and even, dare we say, a driving pleasure. While the comfort/sports balance leans too much towards comfort for our liking, it will no doubt suit the majority of its audience.
With its stiffer body frame, the braking limits have also been extended. That's a relief for two reasons: first, when you wind up the 1.8-litre block you don't want it to fall into its torpid state again, and second, the brakes lack the reassuring bite one would expect on such a sports car.
The interior trim has been upgraded with modern Mercedes controls, and despite the low seating position, the cabin is actually tall enough to accommodate above-average occupants.
Several rather funky features are included, such as a speedometer that shows a single set of figures but can be changed from mph to km/h at the touch of a button. This will prove particularly useful when we make the much-publicised changeover at the end of the year.
Then there's the optional Airscarf neck-level heating system. Fitted into the headrests, it blows hot air onto your neck - perfect for those crisp autumnal evenings, though at €765 it's a bit of a luxury and without it you shouldn't find yourself turning blue. Thanks to some quality design and bodywork, there's no noticeable scuttle shake and the windows deflect virtually all the wind from the cabin, keeping every hair in place.
So to the most pertinent question: is the SLK too superficial in its 200 guise? The answer should be judged in terms of overall economy and value, not least the SLK's strong residual values.
Certainly there are several comparably priced competitors that beat the SLK200 in the power stakes and you do need to work behind the wheel to get anything like the type of performance that equates with the looks. But then if real driving enjoyment is your wont, you'll probably turn to the SLK350, which should prove more than capable of meeting your needs.
Some potential buyers may also be left feeling like goldilocks at the moment, neither their motoring appetite nor limited wallet sated by the current range. Let's hope that Mercedes brings out a mid-level version to replace the old SLK230 version. There's no doubting this car will sell, and sell well, becoming a regular feature in the leafy suburbs of south Dublin and middle class suburbia. The sporting looks and the three-pointed star - when combined with relatively strong residuals and lower tax - are more than many can resist.
FACTFILE:
ENGINE: A 1,795cc TWINPULSE fourcylinder supercharged engine offering 161 bhp @ 5,500 rpm and 240Nm @ 3,000 rpm.
PERFORMANCE: A top speed of 140 mph and a 0-62mph time of 8.3 seconds (manual:7.9 seconds)
SPECIFICATION: Front and side airbags; ESP; ABS; 16" alloys; cruise control; radio/CD; auto headlights; central locking
FUEL: MPG: Urban: 22.4 Extra urban: 43.5 Combined: 32.5
PRICE: €155,075 (€151,695 to €172,780 for SLK350)
THE COMPETITION
Mercedes SLK200 A/T: 1795cc; 8.3 (0-62) 140 max speed; 161 bhp; 32.5 mpg combined; €155,075
Audi TT 1.8T 180bhp Tiptronic: 1781cc; 8.2 (0-62); 137 max speed; 180 bhp; 29.4 mpg combined; €154,350
Mazda RX-8 6MT 231 bhp: 1308*cc; : 6.4 (0-62); 146 max speed; 231 bhp; 24.8 mpg combined; €148,600
BMW Z4 2.2i SE: 2171cc; 7.7 (0-62); 140 max speed; 170 bhp; 32.1 mpg combined; €151,485.
Honda S2000: 1997cc; 6.2 (0-62); 150 max speed; 240 bhp; 28.5 mpg combined; €174,500