The Mercedes-Benz SLK is a small, two-seat sports car. Though roomier than the previous-generation SLK, the cabin is cozy, particularly with the folding hardtop in place. There's adequate space to keep two good-size occupants from rubbing shoulders, but not much else. Moreover, storage space in the cockpit is limited to the glovebox, door pockets and some space in the center console. With two passengers aboard, purses, briefcases and jackets must be stowed in the trunk or wedged in some fashion behind the seats.

The seats are excellent. Widely adjustable in a variety of directions, they are both comfortable and supportive. Long drives are no problem here. Yet what's most impressive inside this second-generation SLK is the giant leap in the quality of materials used. The rubberized vinyl covering the dash is soft, almost silky, and irresistible to touch. Switches and trim are silver against a dark background, and the buttons have a pleasant feel. The look is carbon-fiber/aluminum, and the ambiance is high-tech in an inviting rather than a steely cold way. Wood trim is absent and only comes with the Vavona wood trim package.

The driver looks at an instrument package that is now standard across the Mercedes line. There are two big gauges, ringed with chrome and surrounded with silver in the SLK, with the speedometer, clock and fuel gauge grouped on the left and a tachometer on the right. The needles in the SLK are white. The gauge faces are bright, legible and as attractive as any in the business.

A prominent center stack divides the cabin through the middle, flowing down around the gear lever into the center console. The stack houses the optional integrated navigation/communication screen and climate controls. Automatic heating and cooling is standard, with built-in sun and pollutant sensors. Dual-zone temperature control is optional.

The navigation and stereo interface takes some learning and familiarity to get comfortable with the adjustments. Some buttons around the screen are labeled; others correspond to menu choices on the screen itself. With some practice, the Mercedes package is at least as effective, and in certain respects more user friendly, than the joystick/mouse system used by BMW and Audi.

The SLK offers several new technology features, and the most intriguing may be the AirScarf system. This amounts to forced-air vents in both seats, just below the headrests in line with the occupant's neck. These heaters are intended to allow the SLK to go topless more often, through a greater range of temperatures. There are three fan speeds and automatic compensation for ambient temperature. At freeway speeds with both the top and widows lowered, one can barely feels a whisper of warm air from the vents. The trick is leaving the side windows up, in which case the flow of air is truly a warming blast.

The retractable hardtop is as easy as it gets. Simply hold the button and 22 seconds later the top is either stowed under a smooth, hard cover behind the seats or back up over occupants' heads. The optional infrared remote control can raise and lower the roof with the key, useful for letting hot air out as you're walking up to the car on a summer day. Plus, it's great for showing off.

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