The sky’s the limit for Merc’s new SLK! The firm has released the first of what’s likely to be many teaser pictures of its new drop top, building up to the new car’s launch at next year’s Geneva Motor Show.
The teaser features the car’s famed folding hardtop roof, but it’s fitted with Mercedes’ clever new sunroof. Called Magic Sky Control, the glass roof can be made transparent or darkened at the touch of a button.
According to Mercedes, the system “is based on the physics of a plate condenser: if the glass is subjected to an electrical voltage, particles position themselves so that light is able to pass through the glass. If the voltage remains switched off, the particles position themselves randomly which blocks the light, and the glass remains dark.”
Mercedes claims that the system gives the feeling of being outdoors when it’s too cold to put the roof down, while also allowing you to shade from the sun on very hot days.
The SLK is a little bigger than the car it replaces, and engine choices will include three petrols plus one diesel for the first time, using Mercedes’ 201bhp 2.1-litre four-cylinder oil burner.
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Behind all the technobabble, this is the same technology that operates in devices that have LCDs (liquid crystal displays), just on a larger scale.
And hands-up all those people who think the trick glass roof will be fitted as standard rather than an expensive option?
Didn't think so.
I wish Mercedes would spend more time perfecting the standard features in their cars. For example the current E class: engine injector problems, stop/start technology that is more stop than start, sat nav database that's light years behind the rest of their range, overheating SAMs, steering and suspension issues.....