Mercedes refreshes SL, SLK, CLS for 2008

Keeping the product refreshed and up to date is critical at a time when there is an economic downturn which affects ‘real’ sales in the new car markets both in Europe and the USA.

Mercedes-Benz has been busy introducing new models or updating and refreshing longer serving ones in the past few weeks as well as finding more power with less CO2 emissions for many of their engines. The new CLC Sports Coupe will also be introduced to the UK in June at prices from £19,920.

The heavily revised SLK-Class two seater went on sale in April after undergoing its first changes in four years. Demand is still high and nearly 4,400 UK sales were achieved last year with the least expensive model, the SLK 200K taking 63 per cent of registrations.

There is still a four model line-up, the 200K, 280, 350 and 55 AMG with prices ranging from £29,710 to £51,975.

Beefier looks, improved trim and equipment levels, generally more powerful and cleaner engines and a better ride now, with real sports car handling, are the highlights of this heavily revised range.

The SL-Class, the world’s number one open top premium sports car, has just received its second facelift in its lifecycle, which started in 2002. The updated models also went on sale in the UK in April with prices ranging from £65,080 to £154,375.

The SL comes in six petrol engine model forms, the SL 350, 500, 600, 63 AMG and 65 AMG. The starter SL 350 version has a substantially revised, V6 sports engine with power raised from 272hp to 315hp and fuel and CO2 efficiencies have been improved as well.

Last year just 986 SL-Class cars were sold in the UK with the SL 350 taking 70 per cent of those sales and the SL 500 nearly 22 per cent.

Again there have been styling tweaks mainly at the front and rear ends with further changes to the sports car’s interior and the well liked Airscarf option introduced in the SLK also becomes an option for the SL-Class.

Fresh for 2008, the four door CLS Coupe range also went on sale in April with a four model line-up with prices ranging from £46,255 to £75,050. The CLS executive four-door Coupe was first introduced in 2005.

The revised models, said Mercedes-Benz UK CLS product group manager Nick Williams, have an average one per cent price increase but there is over three per cent added value to the customer in these latest versions.

The range consists of CLS 320 CDI diesel and 350 CGI, 500 and 63 AMG petrol versions. The CLS range consistently sells around 4,000 units a year in the UK with business customers being the mainstay buyers. The 320 CDI diesel model accounts for over 80 per cent of these sales.

Again the 2008 changes focus on subtle restyling for the front and rear ends, enhanced interior specification including a much improved Telematics system and like all new and revised Mercedes models, improved future residual values are forecast - an important factor in today’s financially depressed new car markets.

2008 Mercedes SL-Class review

The refreshed Mercedes SL-Class coupe-cabriolet with its electro-hydraulic folding roof should maintain its number one position as the world’s top premium sports car.

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New Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class review

The new Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class has the power to be classed a fashionable roadster and as a genuine sports car.

Mercedes brings the CLS up to date

Restyling tweaks by Mercedes haven´t spoiled the CLS - why mess with such a stunning motor? - but the AMG model is now even more aggressive - and available to order now.

New Mercedes SLK 55 AMG

The Mercedes SLK 55 AMG is available to order now with new steering, updated appearance and more agility for the AMG eight-cylinder.

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