Geneva Motor Show 2004 - Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes’ all-new SLK roadster made its public debut at the Geneva show today.

The two-seater drop-top retains the metal folding-roof design of its ground-breaking predecessor, and is likely to cost from £26,000 when it goes on sale this summer.

Its design is influenced by that of its bigger brother, the SL, and it also carries a bold F1-inspired nose similar to the new SLR supercar’s.

The metal roof now folds electronically in just 22 seconds. The folding mechanism has been revised, which has liberated an extra 63 litres of boot space with the roof down, giving a total luggage capacity of 208 litres. Roof up, the boot holds 300 litres, while the latest SLK’s extra length and width provide more cabin space.

Engines will include a 163bhp 1.8-litre, a 3.5-litre V6 developing 272bhp, and the awesome AMG range-topper which uses a 360bhp 5.4-litre V8.

Luxury options should include remote operation of the roof, plus hot air vents in the head restraints to keep occupants warm when driving with the roof down in cold weather.

Also on display is the production version of Mercedes’ new CLS coupe. Based on the E-class executive car, the four-door coupe is expected to go on sale next summer from around £45,000 to take on the BMW 6-series.

The four-seater CLS aims to blend the sleek lines of a coupe with the practicality of a saloon. Inside is a central section dividing the length of the cabin and containing power sockets, cup holders and controls for audio and climate functions.