Vehicle type: front-engine, rear-drive; 2-door 2-passenger roadster
Interior volume, F/cargo (cu ft) 50/4�10
Wheelbase 94.5 in
Length/width/height 157.9/67.5/50.4 in
Turning circle 32.9 ft
Curb weight 3050�3200 lb
EPA city/hwy mpg 18�23/24�30
Fuel-tank capacity/range 15.9 gal/286�366 mi
Passive restraints driver and passenger front and side airbags
POWERTRAIN
supercharged and intercooled 2.3-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-in-line, 192 hp; 3.2-liter SOHC 18-valve V-6, 215 hp; supercharged and intercooled 3.2-liter SOHC 18-valve V-6, 349 hp; 6-sp man, 5-sp auto
SUSPENSION
F ind, unequal-length control arms, coil springs, anti-roll bar
R ind, multilink, coil springs, anti-roll bar
BRAKES
F/R vented disc/vented (opt) disc ABS standard
The SLK had an inauspicious beginning. Despite seating only two, this neat little retractable-hardtop roadster never wanted to be a true sports car. And with its unsatisfactory supercharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder, its trick top and slick style were about all there was to recommend the little Mercedes. In the past few years Mercedes provided hundreds of other reasons to look at the SLK. For 2001 Mercedes introduced the SLK320. Powered by a 215-hp, 3.2-liter V-6 and available with a six-speed manual transmission, the SLK320 is truly a grand touring car�quick, comfortable, and refined. For 2002 Mercedes poured the power on with the 349-hp, supercharged 3.2-liter V-6 SLK32 AMG. It�ll get to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. It also comes with a stiffened suspension. It still isn�t as rewarding to drive as a Porsche Boxster S, but it�s wicked fast. Nothing changes for the 2003 model year.