Mercedes-Benz engineers have been hard at work refreshing their premium-grade rides and have most recently been spotted flogging a prototype SLK hardtop convertible on the Nurburgring in Germany.
As you can tell, hardly a panel is left uncovered by hard plastic camouflaging. Judging by the substantial amount layered on both the fore and aft, a thorough redesign is in line for this young model. Sadly, despite the sun being out for most of the day, engineers diligently pressed on with their chassis development and didn't drop the top.
Word on the streets says a new lineup of engines is in store for the smallest of M-B convertibles. For the first time in SLK history, a clean diesel could be included for all regions. Currently U.S. iterations are powered by a 3.0L (228 hp) or 3.5L V-6 (300 hp), as well as the AMG-crafted 5.5L V-8 (355 hp).
The latest SLK was introduced to world markets back in 2005 and is expected to get the boot when the new model arrives sometime in 2012. By then, we'll probably see and hear plenty more about the SLK.
Thanks to: Motor Trend