Most journalists don’t have much fashion sense. Asking a journalist what’s in or what’s cool to wear this season is about as wise as asking Dubya how to make the world a peaceful place.
My lack of fashion sense was highlighted with the arrival recently of the Mercedes-Benz SLK 55. Why? Well, it’s the sort of car that makes you want to be a better person. A cool, hip, sorted kind of person, who talks the talk and walks the walk. As I looked at the stunning convertible in my driveway, I got the feeling that it might have a hidden ejector seat, ready to toss me out if I wasn’t cool enough.
So I did my best to be at least neater than normal for the week I spent with the SLK55.
I was disappointed that I wasn’t given a chance by DaimlerChrysler to experience the top-of-the-range SL65 before the media test unit was sold, but I have to say that I wasn’t disappointed in any way by the substitute model.
I didn’t think driving such a car would attract more than the occasional inquisitive look from other road-users, but was quite surprised by the curious, sometimes frightening, reactions from pedestrians and drivers.
I became quite agitated by a guy in a fairly small car who was doing his level best to drive as close as possible behind me. I became increasingly nervous because the SLK55 comes equipped with an array of features that gives it impressive stopping power, whereas the entry-level car stalking me didn’t even have anti-lock brakes. I was sure that if I came to an abrupt stop, he would crash into me. It was only when I stopped at a traffic light and observed him in the rearview mirror that I realised that he wasn’t trying to outrun the SLK55 or crash into it.
All he wanted was to get a good look at the rear. I saw him inching closer and then leaning over his steering wheel to look at the model numbers and, once he identified what it was, he settled back into his seat and stopped staring at the car.
Well, he couldn’t continue stalking the SLK55 even if he wanted to, because I put my foot flat when the lights changed and the AMG 5,5-litre V8 engine whisked me away.
Cars as powerful as this should come with a warning (similar to those on cigarette packs) that power is addictive and it should have an age restriction of some sort that ensures that those who drive it can handle the phenomenal power on tap.
The 265kW of power and 510Nm of torque make it a mind-bogglingly fast car that is claimed to do zero to 100kph in 4,9 seconds and is limited to a top speed of 250kph.
While R665 000 is a hefty amount to spend on a two-seater convertible, you have to take into account that it comes equipped with just about everything you’re going to need, from an exclusive six-CD Harmon Kardon sound system to heated seats and an airscarf, which is a new innovation that blows hot air through vents in the top part of the seat to keep the upper part of your body warm.
The interior is plush and well-appointed and, despite it’s sporty look, is exceedingly comfortable. The roof opens and closes at the touch of a button. From the outside, the car has a muscular and almost aggressive look similar to the formula one-inspired SLR.
It has a seven-speed 7G-Tronic automatic transmission, which can also be converted to manual mode, with the gears being changed via the paddles on either side of the steering wheel. The gearbox responded in an intuitive manner, which ensured it reached high revs when you needed it to, although the gears did get stuck twice in automatic mode.
Standard features include satellite navigation, adaptive cruise control, dual-zone Thermatronic airconditioning with built-in sun and pollutant sensors, adaptive Xenon headlights and four adaptive airbags.
There was very little I could do to unsettle this car as it cruised through even the trickiest of twisties, sticking to the tar with consummate ease while I gritted my teeth and held my breath.