Mercedes-Benz has announced the launch of its latest SLK model, the 250 CDI – yes, it’s a diesel drop top. But don’t think it will be a tiny mill which is only engineered to save fuel.

First up, it gets Mercedes’ 2.1-litre confusingly-titled ‘250 CDI’ four-pot diesel engine, producing a healthy 204bhp. That’s on par with BMW’s confusingly-titled Z4 sDrive23i 2.5-litre petrol sixer. But where the BMW can only manage 184lb ft of torque, the mighty-Merc churns out a frankly incredible 368lb ft. Fans of mathematics will recognise that’s twice as many torques as the Z4.

It sprints from 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds with a standard 7G-TRONIC auto ‘box, covers 50mph to 75mph (80 to 120 km/h) in 4.3 seconds and tops out at 151mph. To give perspective, the 23i Z4 with an automatic gearbox does the 0-62mph sprint in 7.3 seconds, and while that drops to 6.6s with a manual shift, the Merc will get a six-speed manual in the second quarter of 2012.

Speaking with CarAdvice, Mercedes-Benz Australia’s David McCarthy said that the Australian arm was currently doing its sums.

“We’re crunching the numbers at the moment to see if this will fit with our current plans. We’re considering it, and if it did make it here, it would be in the first or second quarter of next year,” said Mr McCarthy.

“Each model has to stand on its own two feet, and so we’re investigating whether a diesel SLK will stack up.”

The real beauty of it though, is fuel economy. The SLK 250 CDI needs just 4.9 litres of diesel fuel per 100 kilometres (NEDC combined consumption), which corresponds to CO2 emissions of 128 g/km. To achieve this, the car features fourth-generation common-rail injection with a rail pressure of 2000 bar and precise injection timing, as well as two-stage turbocharging and start/stop system as standard.

The same options and equipments for the rest of the range is also offered with the diesel SLK, including the MAGIC SKY CONTROL roof, and the choice of three different suspension systems. Mercedes SLK 250 CDI goes on sale from 13 September 2011, starting at € 41,828.50 including VAT in Germany.

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