VIDEO: A Mercedes SLK caught fire at a certain car show

A video of a modified, first-gen, Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class caught fire during a certain car show in the Philippines went viral.

This happened during last week's Bumper 2 Bumper X Car Show held outside SM Mall of Asia. Everyone panicked until someone with the fire extinguisher put out the fire immediately. Of course, everyone's safe. This viral video serve as a lesson that even in a car show, safety is important and it's important to bring a fire extinguisher in an emergency situation such as this.

(Warning: This clip is NSFW)

Blast from the Past: R170 vs. X100

British heavyweight versus German lightweight

By reminiscing  back to the past, or to the late 1990's, I can only remember that both the R170 Mercedes-Benz SLK200 and the Jaguar XK (X100) were just chalk of jeans, back to the days when televisions were standard definition, back when there was my childhood memory of addiction to TV shopping, one when I have to sleep properly when it's 9:00 PM and back when Top Gear was just a boring motoring magazine show with Tiff, Vicki, Quentin, Steve, and other Top Gear presenters from the past, even Andy Wilman who was a presenter back then before he was the producer of the 2002 reboot of Top Gear, which became the flagship of BBC.

In today's world, I have driven the latest versions of the SLK and the XK and I have to say that comparing a car with big power and a lightweight car is a bit of a conundrum for them but looking back to them when they were launched in the late 1990's seems so intriguing. It's like going to the TARDIS to see how are they look like from the past. Anyway, where do we start? The R170 or the X100?

I have a coin. If heads, I'd start with the R170 but if tails, then it's the X100. I spun the coin and I grabbed it, and it was tails so I'd start with the first generation Jaguar XK (X100).

This car tries to stay classy

So, the first generation XK. This was launched in 1996, back when Jaguar is owned by Ford Motor Company, and the first model was dubbed the XK8 in coupe or convertible styles, fitted with a 4.0L V8 engine. Some people said that the XK is more of a modern-day equivalent of the legendary Jaguar E-Type and this was known to be one of the most luxurious high-performance sports cars in the world. It's more of a grand tourer than a sportscar and you can drive it in the winding roads for some rest and relaxation.

The one I have here is the XKR version, the cherry at the top of the cake that what made the XK superb and this powerful version is using the same 4.0L V8 from the original but fitted with an Eaton-developed supercharger, generating 400HP of power and 408ft-lb of torque. Armed with the 6-speed AT, it can go 0-100kph in 5.2 seconds and top speed limited to 250kph.

What made this car unique was the CATS electronic variable damper control system that adjusts the damping force depending in various speed and road conditions and it was perfect when you're driving the twists and turns. Like the original XK8, it's still a gran tourer. With the 6-speed AT, refined suspension, and the luxurious interior, it's just so feels more like a premium sedan in a coupe body. Nice touch to that.

It's cool to drive this car at night....

If power is what comes in my mind on the Jaguar XKR, I have to move on to something a bit lightweight, something that already gave its rivals a headache back in the late 90's. This is the R170 model, the first generation Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class. The SLK stands for SPORT LIGHTWEIGHT COMPACT, meaning that this two-seater roadster is on the lightweight division. As a general rule, it used the platform derived from the C-Class and it has a folding roof, which called them VARIO ROOF back then. With the roof closed, it has the presence of a sports coupe but with the roof off, all that breeze is coming right in front of me.

That reminded me of a prize car of some promo held by some cigarette brand. Is it Philip Morris? Yes it is because back in 2000, there was a promo from Philip Morris where anyone with the Philip Morris 100's won either a 2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK, 80,000 US Dollars, 24K Gold Bars (12,000 US Dollars each), or a trip to Gold Coast, Australia (4,000 US Dollars each). I really wonder what just happened to the guy who won the SLK on that promo? Did he sold off his car from something rubbish or did he crashed? I don't know but I wanna find out soon.

Anyway, what I have here comes with the supercharged 2.3L 4-cylinder engine that generated 193 HP of power and 207ft-lb of torque. It was mated with a 5-speed automatic transmission. 0-100kph in 6.9 seconds and top speed limited to 231kph.

So, now I met those cars from the past, I decided to lap these two round the Top Gear Test Track to find out if a car with bigger power or a lightweight car is proven to be a worthy contender. On the Jaguar XKR Coupe, I did it in a measly 1:24.652. Kinda love the exhaust sound though as for the cornering, it was fine for a car with big power and noise.

Then, I got off from the XKR and into the SLK230K. The handling's not bad for a car that weighs less than the XKR but it did it in 1:33.529, slower than the XKR Coupe! Huh, it's still the power over displacement principle that makes all cars competitive. The XKR is powerful than the SLK230K but the SLK230K's lighter but doesn't matter to me because these two are more like bowties and fezzes. The XKR is more of a bowtie but the SLK230K....that's like fezzes. They're cool though, don't worry about it.

The one with...The M152 engine

The fastest, most outlandish SLK ever made

This is the new Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG, the R172 model, and this is it. The most powerful and the most outlandish of the SLK range. Did I said "powerful and outlandish"? Oh no. What I meant was this was the "baby" of the Mercedes-AMG range because this has the new 5.5L V8 engine which looks like the new M157 engine, the kind of engine Forza boffins didn't want to feature because of their "LESS CURRENT, LESS FUTURE, MORE PAST MEMORIES" scheme, but what they done here is thrown away two turbochargers in favor for Variable Cylinder Management, which is the same technology you'd expect from the Honda Inspire. What this engine was is dubbed the M152, a newly developed Mercedes-AMG engine that...I really never liked.

The M152 engine is a bit too shady for this car...

Let's remember that this one was based on the current-generation R172 SLK-Class, the latest model that comes with a...Magic Sky Control roof that can be shaded from light to dark at the touch of the button. This is more of a hassle-free idea than sliding something for the sunroof visibility. Nice job though. Anyway, let's not talk about the whole MAGIC SKY CONTROL thingamajig, shall we? Let's concentrate with the biggies...

AMG Handling Package nowhere near as good...

This new M152 engine, which is related to the M157 engine, trades turbo with the new AMG Cylinder Management that allows this engine to shut off four of the eighth cylinders under partial load, which lowers fuel consumption considerably. This similar technology was also used in the 750-hp V8 engines used in Formula 1 because efficiency plays a major role in motorsports, One example is when during Safety Car laps or for pit stops two or four of the eight cylinders are off. With such technology, this new SLK55 AMG promises about 33.6MPG and 195g/km of Carbon Dioxide emissions.

Um...we're not in a mood to drive it here, aren't we?

Another thing that drives me up the wall about this new M152 engine is aside from the AMG Cylinder Management, it comes with the fuel-saving ECO-Start/Stop system that stops the engine when I stopped and then starts again when my foot is on the gas pedal. Kooky, isn't it? Not only that, if I see the "ECO" word in the main menu, the Controlled Efficiency stop/start function is active. How come something so sporty gets so compromising? Anyway enough about the whole ECO peripherals and about how it goes...

The new SLK55 AMG generates 415HP of power, it can go 0-60 in 4.6 seconds and top speed electronically limited to 155MPH. This maybe the baby in the lineup but judging by its terms, it's more powerful than the old R171 SLK55 AMG, the one that Jeremy Clarkson got shot more by the Irish Guards. He he he....

As for the handling, you may wanna watch out for this because it can be quite twitchy at first even though it has the...AMG Performance Package, a package that make you feel uncomfortable if you were on the streets of London by day. It's also feels uncomfortable if you take it for track day purposes. Even though it can be usable on the road & track, this AMG Performance Package feels like my arms got an aching feeling every time I turn the steering wheel violently. I felt like I was a dog in a leash and no matter how hard I move, the leash just keeps pulling me back. I'm guessing about it's as sharp...as a jungle bolo those men trying to kill me. Sharp as a bolo, tough as an arnis.

This car is as sharp as a bolo...

Things I like about the new SLK55 is the noise of this new engine, still has the MAGIC SKY ROOF, the same SLS AMG-inspired interior that I get from the standard model, and it's as sharp as a jungle bolo. Things I don't like, AMG Handling Package made it even worse for me, costs more than the BMW Z4 sDrive35iS, not good enough in today's economy, behaves the same as the old model, and badly, who would rather need a 5.5L Natural Aspiration engine on the Mercedes-AMG lineup?

Even though it is an all new model, it failed to impress me in terms of performance. In fact, for an alternative...I would rather look for something that is more expensive than this, does the similar noise as this, and satisfied me a lot. I would rather go for the Jaguar XKR-S...

We would rather choose the one on the right...

The Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG R172 is part of the Forza Motorsport 4 July Car Pack, available now for 560MSP. Willing to try out the one with the M152 engine?

Welcome Back: 2010 Porsche Boxster S & Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG (R171)

R171 vs. 987 at the Top Gear Test Track!

Remember these? These are the cars Jeremy Clarkson drove in one episode of Top Gear when he was challenged to evade sniper fire while driving these. On that challenge, the Irish Guards are heavily armed with the SA80 Mk.II rifles but because of the BBC Health & Safety hazards, they weren't allowed to use live bullets, which sounds ridiculous, and instead, the Irish Guards are using laser-targeting system (and some blanks) while Clarkson's wearing a talking jacket with sensors that senses rifle shots and the computer will trace down every hit.

In the Porsche Boxster S, Clarkson was hit....6 times! In the Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG, Clarkson was hit...13 times! By the scores, the Porsche Boxster S is the winner, making it a perfect rear-wheel drive roadster that you can evade gunfire from all places because it's agile and better to handle but sadly Clarkson would still prefer the SLK55 AMG. Despite he got shot more than the Boxster, he still loves the SLK55 because of the roar of the 5.4L V8 engine.

Either way, the Boxster S and the SLK55 AMG are definitely the best candidates to evade against enemies in their prying eyes. In the game of virus, I'd expect the Boxster is the best to use. The SLK55 AMG though is more fun but it can be quite scary and you have a danger of getting hit by your opponents.

We really love these cars because they can be such a thriller.

Encountered the R172 SLK-Klasse

Hey there! Leopaul here!

Earlier before I went to Seattle Central Community College to take the final exam of my ITC 140 class, I just encountered a Mercedes-Benz SLK crossing the street.

What I saw there was its latest generation of the SLK-Klasse designated as R172. It looks cool though.

Gosh, I sure wish I want one of these...

Mercedes-Benz New SLK55 AMG (R172)

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG interior

You would hope that all AMG models are turbocharged because most models like the S63 AMG, CLS63 AMG, and the E63 AMG. However, this one is not and unlike non-turbo AMG models like the C63 AMG and the SLS AMG, it doesn't carry the 63 moniker. It retains the "55" moniker even though this new SLK AMG is based on the R172 SLK Roadster. This new SLK55 AMG from Mercedes-Benz's sport division, AMG, wasn't made to be more powerful than the rest. Why?

Under the hood, the new SLK55 AMG is powered by an all new M152 5.5L V8 direct injection engine. This all new engine provides 422PS of power output and 540Nm of torque, allowing the new SLK55 AMG reaching 0-100kph in 4.6 seconds and flatout in 250kph. That new model may have been faster than the normal SLK but in my points of interests, this SLK55 AMG would have become the weakest of the AMG bloodline.

Despite being the weakest of the AMG range because of its engine, the new SLK55 AMG comes with an all new, and I'm not joking, variable cylinder management you commonly noticed it from the Honda Inspire. This variable cylinder management allows the M152 engine to run on four cylinders, providing maximum fuel efficiency and less emissions than the rest. This new feature made the new SLK55 AMG the most fuel efficient in the AMG lineup, Overall, it has CO2 emissions of 195g/km, making it the lowest of the AMG range. This new cylinder management is done if the driver has switched the transmission mode to Controlled Efficiency.

The new SLK55 AMG comes ready with the AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic transmission that comes with the manual mode to take full advantage of its paddle shifting technology, providing the free will to shift the way you move.

For enhanced fairness in cornering, the new SLK55 AMG won't be done without an available AMG Handling Package engineered for the track racing in mind. Thanks to its AMG Performance suspension, AMG rear axle differential lock, two-piece brake discs at the front and a three-spoke AMG Performance steering wheel, you should say that this package should be enough if you're tackling against the tight corners of the Nurburgring.

The new SLK55 AMG is available in 11 exterior colors such as Diamantweiss, Indiumgrau, Tenoritgrau, Cavansitblau, Schwarz, Perlbeige, Palladiumsilber, Obsidianschwarz, Iridiumsilber, Glenitsilber, and Feueropal.

My Comment:
Remaining the 55 moniker for this hardcore version of the SLK-Class is too rubbish because I thought the Mercedes-AMG division is supposed to be an all-turbo lineup but no. Last year, we just hoped that the facelifted C63 AMG range will use the 5.5L V8 BiTurbo engine but no, they still stick with the old 6.2L Natural Aspiration V8 engine. This SLK55 AMG used the 5.5L V8 engine but stripped out its twin-turbo aspiration and switched with some kind of variable cylinder management that allows this new model to run on four cylinders. RUBBISH! I DON'T WANT THIS!

Photo: Daimler AG

SLK Diesel!

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK 250 CDI

Your closest relationship to the road, the third generation Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class, gets a diesel version!

The MB SLK 250 CDI is powered with the new 2.1L 4-cylinder diesel engine that brings 204HP of power and 500Nm of torque. The standard transmission is a the 7G-TRONIC PLUS with Manual Mode but the Stuttgart-based automaker plans for a six-speed manual transmission in the second quarter of 2012.

The SLK 250 CDI can go from 0-100km in 6.7 seconds and top speed is limited to 243km/h. Combined fuel economy is 20.4km/L. It retains the start stop system and three versions of the vario-roo, especially a special panoramic glass roof the the world's first MAGIC SKY CONTROL.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/08/new-diesel-powered-mercedes-benz-slk.html

Verdict: Even though it was fuel efficient, sad to say that we can't get it because of its Euro V compliance.

Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Mk.3

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class interior

The latest Mercedes-Benz SLK Class' full model change is just the third generation of the blockbuster 2-seater premium sports roadster that keeps its sporty, lightweight, and compact characteristics, despite this latest SLK is now a miniature version of the exotic SLS AMG.

The exterior and interior design were heavily influenced from the SLS AMG sportscar, just how the second-generation received an SLR McLaren-like face. What's new on the SLK is the new Magic Sky Control roof. The new Magic Sky Control roof has a glass-top roof, similar to the Renault Megane Coupe-Cabriolet, that can be shaded from light to dark at the touch of the button. See something unpleasant in the sky? Just shade the Magic Sky Control roof to the darkest. However, if you want to see something beautiful at the top, try to lighten up the Magic Sky Control roof. This optional feature adds a wow factor the all-new SLK-Class.

As of press time, the all new SLK features the first three variants with new engine types. The SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY 6AT grade features the M271 engine that produces 184 PS of power, 270 Nm of torque, and top speed of 237 km/h. The 7G-Tronic variant of the SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY improved its top speed by 3km/h. The SLK 250 BlueEFFICIENCY variant improves the M271 engine with a 20 PS increase in power and an improved top speed of 243 km/h. The SLK 350 BlueEFFICIENCY is equipped with the M276 engine that has a power output of 306 PS, torque output of 370 Nm, armed with the 7G-Tronic Plus transmission, and top speed of 250 km/h. Most of the engines offered are Euro V compliant.

Other wondrous features on the new SLK include the new draught-stop system called AIRGUIDE, ECO start/stop system, available Dynamic Handling package, drowsiness detection system, PRE-SAFE, and other features that makes this new roadster reliable for the driver and passenger.

My thoughts about the SLK:
The previous second-generation SLK looks more like a baby SLR McLaren because of the F1-inspired front, but now, the latest third-generation SLK now became a baby SLS AMG with some elements from the CLS mixed. This premium sports roadster from Mercedes-Benz is now armed with the world's first Magic Sky Control roof that can be brightened or shade it just the way they want.

The pricing of the new SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY starts at 38,675 Euros (or about 4.45 million Philippine pesos) up to 52,301 Euros (about 6.1 million Philippine pesos) for the SLK 350 BlueEfficiency 7G-Tronic variant. Sales of the new SLK will start this late March for the European market and soon in other markets. I just hope that CATS Motors will bring this new SLK to the Philippines soon.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz