2011 Mercedes-Benz SLK Safety Features Exposed

Mercedes-Benz continues to drop hints for its upcoming 2011 SLK. It has followed last month's 'Magic Sky Control' photo with a diagram spotlighting some of the SLK's safety features.

While TMR's earlier spy photos reveal a lot more of the new model's exterior, this latest image offer an intriguing new look at the sports convertible's innards.

Among the safety features will be Mercedes' Pre-Safe occupant protection system, designed to activate protective systems when an imminent collision is detected. This includes seatbelt pretensioners and airbag initialisation processes. 

Similarly, post-crash systems will be featured. Depending on the level of damage, these include activation of the interior light, lowering the windows for ventilation, and automatic upward movement of the steering wheel.

Last month, Mercedes offered a teaser shot of the new hardtop roadster's integrated glass roof with a new function dubbed Magic Sky Control - an optional system that instantly darkens the glass roof at the touch of a button.

It's that clever new technology that Mercedes' testers are nailing down in these new photos, taken in the perfect location: Death Valley National Park in the US.

Earlier this year, the updated SLK had been spied alongside the current-generation model, offering the best look yet at the differences between the two cars.

From the beltline-up, the 2011 SLK is essentially the same as the current model.

However, as these and earlier photos show, there's a new grille that echoes the SLS AMG's frontal design, and the headlights, bonnet and front bumper are entirely new.

The side mirrors of this prototype appear to protrude further from the body and are on more slender stalks than those of the current model. LED daytime running lights are also visible behind the front bumper's camouflage wrap.

Power for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLK is expected to come from the company's 2.2-litre BlueEfficiency four-cylinder twin-turbo diesel, developing 152kW and 500Nm of torque.

Petrol engines are also expected, with talk of a twin-turbo version of the company's new 225kW 3.5 litre V6 on the cards for a AMG version of the new SLK, developing around 260kW.