What Car? Car of the Year 2005 - Roadster

Mercedes-Benz SLK 200K
List Price £27,470
Target Price £27,470

The old SLK was a dainty thing but unenthralling to drive. The new one has come over all sporty.

Apply a bit too much power towards the exit of a slick hairpin bend and the rear end starts to slide round – although only a bit, and only if you switch off the stability aids.

The new engines are smoother and have more vitality, while acceleration is more urgent. The six-speed manual gearbox is slick, and the steering is quick and offers great feedback.

This may be a different SLK, but it is still an SLK. The folding metal roof that attracted so many buyers to the first model remains a central feature. It now folds more quickly and flat-packs into a smaller area. The boot has shrunk a little, unfortunately.

There’s more space inside the classier, two-seater cabin, though, and with the side windows up and the rear wind blocker in place, it’s cosier than ever – especially with the brilliant Airscarf option blowing warm air at neck height.

An 1.8-litre engine might not seem to square up to the new sporty image but it’s brisker than you would think. The only thing missing is a strong engine soundtrack to go with the transformation undergone by every other part of the car.

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