STUTTGART, BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG, GERMANY – The current Mercedes-Benz SLK has been on the market since 2004 and recently underwent a mid-cycle facelift to keep it fresh until the arrival of the next-generation model sometime early next decade. The first two generations have been extremely successful for Mercedes, selling more than half a million examples since the launch of the compact roadster back in 1997, according to www.motorauthority.com.

An inside source at Mercedes has now revealed that the new SLK will be available with the same 2.2L four-cylinder diesel engine found in the current C250 CDI when it arrives in late 2010. The efficient mill is rated at 204hp (152kW) and 369lb-ft (500Nm) of torque, and in the C-Class sedan returns fuel-economy of 54.3mpg (4.33L/100km), and CO2 emissions of 138g/km.

The new diesel’s output is high, it runs smoothly, and it’s appropriately fuel-efficient for the times, according to Automotive News. At the other end of the spectrum, the AMG model is expected to pick up the hand-built 6.2L V-8 engine found in the C63.

As expected, the next SLK will pick up the angular styling Mercedes has adopted for most of its vehicles of late but one key change is the elimination of the F1-inspired nose of the current car. Other features will include an optional glass panoramic sunroof integrated into the folding hard-top, as well as ribbed bonnet similar to the design used on the new SL range.