Mercedes SLK 250 CDI (2012) – the SLK goes diesel

Mercedes SLK 250 CDI - the SLK gets an oil-burner

It would have been almost unthinkable until recently; a sports car with a diesel engine. But now it makes so much sense on so many levels it’s no surprise that Mercedes-Benz has opted to give us an oil-burning SLK – the Mercedes SLK 250 CDI.

In all the ways that matter the SLK 250 CDI is just like every other Mercedes SLK. It gets the same, very good, 7G-Tronic auto ‘box the petrol-engines cars get (there’s a six-speed manual coming later, but why you’d want that…) and it gets the same sort of toys.

It keeps the trick folding roof – and you can have the panoramic vario-roof with Magic Sky if you choose – the same choice of suspension setups and even the twin chrome exhausts. Delete the badges (and try not to sit in traffic) and no one will know you’re a miser.

And it’s the miser bit that will appeal to anyone buying the SLK diesel. Despite offering everything its petrol-engined siblings manage, the 250 CDI manages to return average fuel consumption of 58mpg. Which is remarkable.

It’s remarkable because the SLK 250 is not exactly a sloth either – with 204bhp it scoots from 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds (although you won’t, of course, get 58mpg if you use the oomph). Most impressive is the mid-range grunt – thanks to a healthy 369lb/ft of torque – which means 50 to 75mph in just 4.3 seconds.

Mercedes are planning to put the SLK 250 CDI on sale as soon as it hits the Frankfurt Motor Show. So far Mercedes UK hasn’t woken up, so all we know is that the SLK 250 CDI will cost €41,828.50 in Germany. But as soon as Mercedes UK get their act together we’ll update the details.

It’s hard to find anything not to like in the Mercedes SLK 250 CDI. Apart from prejudices against diesel engines, that is. But really, with the sort of performance that would shame an original SLK 350 – and emissions and economy twice as good – it’s a remarkable demonstration of how far car makers have come in just a decade.

Don’t bet against the Mercedes SLK 250 CDI being the best-selling SLK. Even if it is a diesel.

(10 photos – click any thumbnail for full gallery)

By Cars UK