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The eager guide is trying to usher us into the bowels of the beast – the world’s largest solar telescope – here at Kitt Peak National Observatory (elev. 6,875 feet). I’d just as soon enjoy the vista of the nearby Coyote Mountains and, farther off in the distance, the cactus-strewn Saguaro National Park.

Soon enough, we’ll be taking the Mercedes-Benz SLK230 back down the mountain and over a magnificent, serpentine stretch of Highway 86 to complete a 225-mile circuit that began this morning at the foothills of the Catalina Mountains.

You needn’t ask. Yes, this is the ideal place – next to the autobahn, I suppose – to put the new SLK through its paces. Few cops to slow the pace, no eager onlookers planting their fingers on the SLK’s sleek and gaudily painted skin. Good thing we passed up the chance to drive the blinding Sunburst Yellow model for the jet-black “stealth” edition of this $39,700 supercharged roadster from Germany. The only official interest in us is a passing glance from two members of the U.S. Border Patrol who no doubt would gladly have traded places this morning.

We blast through the desert with the fancy power-retractable hardtop stowed behind us, and a rather flimsy looking piece of netting (Mercedes calls it a “draft blocker”) strung between the two seats to cut down on wind noise and buffeting in the cockpit. A word of advice to Mercedes: Lose the netting. It doesn’t work all that well, and cuts down on rearward visibility to boot. On the plus side, the hardtop, when it’s in place, provides a sturdier structure and better sound baffling than the typical soft top, and it looks pretty sharp, too.

This well-balanced, front-engine roadster looks and feels like a hipper, scaled-down sibling of the SL. The SLK also evokes classic Mercedes roadsters like the 190SL, albeit rendered in a modern idiom that is more civilized and sophisticated than both its predecessors and most of its contemporary rivals.

I mentioned the SLK’s jazzy exterior paint palette. Well, the interior is just as lively. There’s no fake wood here, just some neat decorative inserts in the console, accented with plenty of tasteful splashes of color throughout the cabin and some nifty white-face gauges in the instrument panel. There’s a fair amount of room with the top down, although longer legs may seem like they’re sandwiched under the dashboard. The well-cushioned bucket seats are supremely comfortable, with excellent thigh and lumbar support. The leather-wrapped steering wheel is also thickly padded.

Mercedes gets high marks for the additional standard safety features it has provided on the SLK, including the installation of full frontal and side air bags – a first in the class – plus its new BabySmart system, which turns off the passenger air bag whenever a special child seat is belted in. In addition, antilock brakes and electronic traction control are standard.

The standard equipment list is awesome. It includes leather upholstery, an AM-FM stereo cassette with weather band and Bose six-speaker sound system, dual-zone climate controls with dust/pollen filter and a sturdy pair of cupholders that pops out of the top of the console. Security freaks will also appreciate the anti-theft system with remote central locking.

In fact, there are only three factory options on the SLK: Metallic paint ($600), heated seats ($595) and a choice of CD changer/telephone bundles ($1,495-$1,895). That means even fully optioned the car will retail for under $45,000 (although some dealers already are asking for a $5,000 premium over the sticker for this hot property).

That the SLK is a pleasure to drive is a tribute to its twin-cam, supercharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, which produces 185 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque, most of which is available at lower revs. Compare that with 228 lb-ft of torque from the 3.2-liter six-cylinder in the pricier SL320, which weighs 4,000 pounds compared wit he SLK’s 3,000 pounds.

The compact SLK feels considerably more lively than its big brother; Mercedes says it will make the 0-60 sprint in 7.2 seconds, which is not bad considering the U.S. model comes only with a five-speed automatic transmission. You’ll never run out of extra horses either, with the supercharger on tap for a little boost when you need it.

Mercedes has fitted staggered tire sizes – 205/55VR16s in front and larger 225/50VR16s in the rear – on the handsome seven-spoke alloy wheels. The tire compound and tread pattern combine to offer excellent grip, without the additional noise and harsh ride associated with Z-rated performance tires.

The supple all-independent suspension on the SLK – double wishbones in front with a five-link rear, and gas-pressurized shocks and stabilizer bars all around – makes for a comfortable ride on nearly all road surfaces, with little noticeable compromise in handling. With driver aboard, weight distribution is a perfect 50/50. The SLK is equipped with a power-assisted recirculating-ball steering system that feels responsive, but not too heavy. The car handles gracefully, with no surprises or twitchiness. Four-wheel power disc brakes haul the SLK down from speed in an instant, with no fuss or bother.

Michael Basserman, president of Mercedes-Benz of North America, says the U.S. market will get only 6,000 SLKs this year, and all are presold. Yes, you did the math correctly; that translates to roughly a 12-month waiting list for Mercedes’ new baby roadster, which is being introduced as an early ’98 model.

The company expects most SLK buyers to be 30-39 years old, with an even split between men and women. Two-thirds will be college-educated, with a median income of around $80,000.

“These are the buyers,” he adds, “who will help Mercedes grow into the next century.”

If you’re still thinking of the German luxury-car maker and its world-famous three-pointed star as a stodgy brand for rich, older folks, guess again. A 30-minute excursion in the new SLK should cure that misconception for good.

You just may have to wait in line for a test drive.

1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK230

Base price: $39,700

Standard equipment: Four-wheel power disc brakes, power retractable hardtop, alloy wheels, headlamp washers, fog lamps, power-heated mirrors, heated windshield washers, tinted glass, remote security system, leather upholstery, AM-FM stereo cassette with weather band and Bose six-speaker sound system, leather-wrapped steering wheel, anti-theft system with remote locking, dual-zone climate controls with filter, telescoping steering column, power windows, cruise control, draft blocker, garage-door opener, dual cupholders.

Major options: Metallic paint, heated seats, cellular phone with CD changer.

Safety features: Dual front air bags, dual side air bags, integrated rollbars, antilock brakes, traction control, BabySmart child-seat system.

Engine: 2.3-liter I-4, 185 horsepower at 5300 rpm, 200 lb-ft at 2500 rpm; 0-60 acceleration, 7.2 seconds.

Transmission: Five-speed automatic.

Specifications: Wheelbase, 94.5 inches; length, 157.3 inches; curb weight, 3,036 pounds.

EPA fuel economy: 22 mpg city/30 mpg highway.

Where built: Bremen, Germany