German company Vath presents a soft tuning for the last generation of Mercedes SLK, a package that surely adds up to the sporty nature of the model. The kit comprises a new lip spoiler, rear diffuser, 20″ alloy wheels and a lower ride height. The interior has been refined with carbon fibre finishing, aluminum pedals, customized carmats and a revised instrumentation panel featuring a 330 km/h full scale speedometer, but unfortunately no images of the passenger compartment have been released.

AMG V8 unit aside, Vath can also re-calibrate the electronics of the whole standard engine range: the output of the SLK 200 CGI can be boosted to 210 hp with 310 Nm of maximum torque, the 250 CGI can be provided with 244 hp and 360 Nm of peak torque while the SLK 350 could reach 330 hp with 390 Nm of torque. As optional extras, Vath also offers an upgraded braking system, limited slip differential and a sports exhaust system made of steel.

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Mercedes released more official pictures of the new SLK, a model which is already having a positive impact on critics and markets alike. This third generation of the German roadster - which now features the ECO start/stop system on all of its versions - has 25% lower fuel consumption than its predecessor, something that is also due to the improved aerodynamics (the drag coefficient dropped from 0.32 to 0.30).

All engines have direct fuel injection: a turbocharged 1.8-litres petrol is available in two configurations, one delivering 184hp (for the SLK 200 BlueEfficiency) and another one with 204hp (for the SLK 250 BlueEfficiency), and then there is the 306hp 3.5 V6 mounted on the SLK 350 BlueEfficiency. As for diesel engines, the SLK 250 CDI uses a very interesting 2143 cc 4-cylinder delivering 204hp e 500 Nm of torque.

Obviously, at the top of the range, there is the SLK 55 AMG and its natural aspirated 5.461cc V8 engine (code name M152) delivering a staggering 422hp at 6800rpm and reaching the maximum torque level of 540 Nm at 4500 rpm.

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Six Mercedes models will get their official debut on local turf at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show with everything from the new B-Class, to the C63 AMG Coupé Black Series and a new concept the F 125!. The Mercedes B-Class has already been previewed with pics and details, but it will be interesting to check it out in person and see where Mercedes can take the compact MPV segment.

The new Mercedes B-Class will also be our chance to check out the MFA platform which will be the basis for future front-wheel drive models like the A-Class. On a more exotic front but with a dash of practicality is Mercedes’ first diesel spider, the SLK 250 CDI.

The model brings a 2.1-litre twinturbo diesel engine to the Mercedes SLK, which gets 204 hp and 500 Nm of torque. It will carve out an ecological space in the Mercedes spider range, as at the other end of the scale the new SLK 55 AMG model also gets its official release.

Mercedes at 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show

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The third generation Mercedes SLK AMG is the first SLK AMG model to use an aspirated engine in a significant evolution on the older generations and their supercharged V6 and V8 engines. The new SLK 55 AMG uses the M157 unit from the more recent 63 AMG models but is “simplified” to 422 hp and 540 Nm of torque.

We get to hear some of that engine sound is this video but it’s more about a beautiful car and landscape (and the guy’s not bad either). Mercedes is closing the gap in some ways between the sportier AMG and more lifestyle versions of its models, providing some significant fuel savings on the previous generation, which the company claims is done 30 percent at 8.4 l/100 km. For that you still get a sprint to 100 time of 4.6 seconds. The new Mercedes SLK 55 AMG will go on sale in Germany from January at a price of 72,590 euros.

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The 2012 Mercedes SLK 55 AMG has new, aggressive looks and an engine to back them up. Sporting a redesigned front fascia, new side skirts, rear diffuser and spoiler and an exhaust system with four pipes, this is a good looking cabrio with go-fast capability.

The Mercedes SLK55 AMG gets a new aluminium, naturally aspirated 5.5-litre V8 engine which is good for 416 hp and 540 Nm of torque. It’s matched to AMG’s seven-speed automatic SpeedShift Plus transmission, which gets the car to 100 km/hr in just 4.6 seconds. While the new SLK55 AMG has more power and a top speed of 250 km/hr, the technical crew has kept fuel consumption to 8.5 l/100 km thanks to start&stop technology and an AMG Cylinder Management system.

Other goodies from AMG include torque vectoring, direct steer and three driving modes of Sport, Manual and Efficiency. New brakes measure 360 and 330 mm, and the AMG Handling Package is offered as an optional extra. The interior features Airscarf technology and Alcantara sports seats. The sexy new Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG will debut in 2012.

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In this video former DTM pilot Ellen Lohr is at at the Hockenheim track to test the new Mercedes SLK 250 CDI, a car with average consumption levels of 4,4 l/100 km, a maximum speed of 240 km/hr and able to go from 0 to 100 km/hr in 6,5 seconds. The SLK 250 CDI - Mercedes’ first diesel spider - also features the same 2,1 l biturbo 204 Hp and 500 Nm we have seen in other models, which enables this car to offer the same standards in terms of performance delivered by petrol engines. In the video, Ellen Lohr also has the chance to meet up and challenge former DTM opponent Roland Ash, who’s driving a Mercedes 190 E 2.5 16 Evo, but we are not going to spoil the surprise by telling you who wins!

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Mercedes has released yet more new images of its revised SLK model, this time with a Ducati model sharing the spotlight, although this isn’t the AMG version. The white SLK appears next to a classic red Ducati Monster. The advertising campaign with the barefoot video for the new Mercedes SLK has kicked off in Europe and we can see that the company is expecting this renewed model to be every bit the success the previous one was.

Even though Mercedes has developed the new Magic Sky Control roof tinting feature, we get the impression that they don’t need to concentrate on this new gadget to sell models. The new SLK has standard start&stop on all engine options, with fuel consumption reduced by about 25 percent.

The engines range from the 1.8-litre with 184 or 204 hp, and the 3.5-litre V6 with 306 hp. The latter represents the top-of-the-range option before the Mercedes SLK AMG gets here, when we’ll probably see more pictures together with Ducati models to bring home the AMG MotoGP sponsorship message.

More Mercedes SLK pics: with Ducati

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This curious video of the Mercedes SLK takes the message away from the good looks of the new roadster, and brings it back to the driving pleasure of the vehicle. The protagonist runs in barefeet, and drives the SLK with the roof down (we can’t tell if he’s tried the Magic Sky Control feature, yet). The new SLK comes with the 1.8-litre version with 184 or 204 hp, and the top-of-the-range V6 with 306 hp; before the SLK AMG gets here, that is.

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The Mercedes SLK restyling can be seen again in this flurry of 164 (!) official pictures released. The popular model has received a facelift which was presented at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, and not only do we get some style updates, the engine range has been modified, too.

According to Mercedes, the new SLK has a 25-percent reduction in fuel consumption and emissions compared to the previous model. That’s thanks to its new range of four-cylinder and V6 units. The models available range from the 200 and 250 BlueEfficiency versions with start&stop, to the new 3.5-litre V6 with 306 hp (nominated the 350 BlueEfficiency).

The front styling is inspired by the recent SLS and CLS models and some interior SLS features also show up. Much has been said of the Magic Sky Control function, and Mercedes is certainly enjoying showing off its new tech toy. Among the rest of the technological goodies, there is also the Dynamic Handling Package (one of three suspension systems on offer), Direct Steer and Torque Vectoring Brake.

Mercedes SLK new official pics

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The new Mercedes C-Class Coupé and SLK R172 are on display at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. The new Mercedes SLK was presented live at Geneva by driver Gary Paffett (who obviously had good things to say). The engine range of the SLK offers two diesel-powered engines and three petrol units. The C-Class Coupé was introduced with a focus on its younger style and sports design, with Mercedes again trying to increase its presence in a younger market segment.

The SLK will be released with all engines available from launch date. There will be: the C220 CDI with 170 hp, the C250 CDI with 204 hp, the C180 with 156 hp, the C250 with 204 and the range topping C350 with 306 hp. The two high-profile models were prefaced at the media conference with a nod to Mercedes’ 125-year anniversary celebrations in 2011, and mention of the B-Class F-Cell world tour currently taking place.

Mercedes SLK and C-Class coupe live at 2011 Geneva Motor Show

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Summer may be a little way off in the northern hemisphere but that won’t stop us dreaming about the Mercedes SLK in the meantime. These videos show more of the hot little convertible than the swanky Magic Sky Control function, and we must say that while Mercedes hasn’t gone radical, keeping to tradition has never looked so good. The video above shows the SLK driving around good-looking landscapes, along with some studio shots where we can appreciate further the SLS-inspired front end. After the jump you can see and hear the Mercedes SLK as it laps a track, and if that wasn’t enough, there’s another video with some country driving thrown in for good measure.

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Here’s the first info-video on the new Mercedes SLK model which gives us a run-down of its features and a good look at the interior and Magic Sky Control. It seems like one of those technologies which might not make a lot of difference but is cool to have, but then we’re not exactly in the market for the SLK so can’t really make that judgement. Check out the snazzy new roadster in the video above.

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