Mercedes SLK news - SLK goes diesel - 2008

It’s not quite a 700bhp SLR, but in realms of News About Cars You Might Actually Buy, the Mercedes SLK is getting a diesel.

The 2.1-litre twin-turbocharged four-pot from the C250 CDI, to be exact.

In the SLK, it’ll manage 54.3mpg and emit just 138g/km of CO2: impressive stuff for a 200bhp diesel (with 369lb ft of torque for good measure) that should haul the SLK to 60mph in comfortably under seven seconds.

The SLK250 CDI should hit the roads next year as a serious competitor to the Audi TT diesel, which manages a mere 51mpg and 145g/km of CO2 from its 168bhp two-litre turbodiesel.