All About Japan Autos

Auto news; Mercedes SLK 2012 SLK spied testing at the Nurburgring

Three months after the an early prototype ground to a halt at the Nurburgring with a smoking engine, the 2012 SLK was back at the Nordschliefe and on top form again.

Although not much can be seen through the heavy camouflage, the front grille and headlights seem to be more upright and square than those on the current model. The folding hard-top roof from earlier models will also be making a comeback.

Power will most likely come from normally-aspirated V6’s as well as some smaller turbo engines and diesel or hybrid engines are a real possibility. As with most Mercedes models an AMG version will follow shortly after sales begin.

Auto news; Mercedes SLK New drop-top’s first test run ends with smoke billowing from the engine!

Mercedes’ SLK has stepped into the ‘Ring of fire! This prototype for the upcoming BMW Z4 rival made its debut at the Nurburgring circuit today - but its first test wasn’t a success.

Our spy photographer, Stefan Baldauf takes up the story: “The car had to pull up at a part of the track called ‘Brünnchen’, with smoke coming from the engine. One of the drivers jumped out with a fire extinguisher to rescue the car before it started to burn.”

It’s not the first time a prototype has caught fire during early testing. A mule for Audi’s V10-engined R8 spectacularly burst into flames at the circuit just over two years ago.

Set for a debut in 2011, the new SLK will get a fresh body that loses the F1-style nose for a front-grille and headlight arrangement that echoesthe new C and E-class. A folding metal hardtop will be standard.

Enginewise, the range will start with a four-cylinder petrol unit producingaround 180bhp, while a hot AMG version will lead from the front.However, considering AMG’s recent commitment to clean up its act, the355bhp V8 from the current car is unlikely to feature again - a smallercapacity supercharged V6 would provide similar performance with greaterefficiency.

Auto news; Mercedes SLK Next-generation roadster gets more upright grille and retains folding hard top
Our spy photographers were camped out for a week, but eventually they bagged these crystal clear shots of the next-generation SLK! The current car received a facelift only last year - so it could be some time, possible 2011, before we see the production version of Merc’s new roadster, but already this mule gives a big clue to the revised styling.

Gone is the F1-style nose - the front-grille and headlights shown here are far more upright, echoing the new C and E-class. Also visible are new door handles and wing mirrors mounted on the door rather than the A-pillar. And of course - the trademark folding metal hardtop will be standard, too.

Engine wise, the range will start with a four-cylinder petrol unit producing around 180bhp, while a hot AMG version will lead from the front. However, considering AMG’s recent commitment to clean up its act, the 355bhp V8 from the current car is unlikely to feature again - a smaller capacity supercharged V6 would provide similar performance with greater efficiency.