"After the terrible winter we've had in the Northeast, I will take every opportunity to sit behind the wheel of a convertible." Even if it was indoors, Mercedes-Benz USA President & CEO Ernst Leib's ride out onto the show stand in the new SLK was worth it.

When roadsters were hot and folding hardtops still novel, the first SLK made a big splash - but that was in 1996, and though the second generation car was very good, it didn't make the impression that the first one had - and sales have never been as strong. In 2010, Mercedes-Benz USA sold less than 2000 SLK roadsters - a combination of the economy and rumors of the forthcoming redesign no doubt held sales down abnormally, although as fashion cars like the SLK age, sales tend to fall off more than mainstream cars.

The new SLK doesn't break much new ground, but it's a nice looking car and one that's certain to be well-enjoyed by many. One new touch is the "magic sky control" roof, which allows the roof to turn from opaque to transparent at the touch of a button, using electronics to control particles in the roof panel itself. Opaque mode also helps block out heat when the car is left in the sun with the roof up.

First generation SLKs could be had with supercharged four-cylinder engines, in an effort differentiate the SLK from the larger SL - but as the SL has gone even further upmarket, the SLK now offers only six-cylinder engines in the USA (world markets can still get four-cylinder power) and occupies the niche once occupied by the six-cylinder SL (gone from the U.S. market for many years now).

Undoubtedly the new SLK will be more of a performance tourer than an all-out sports car, as other than the hot AMG version (unannounced but inevitable) the SLK doesn't pretend to be a Porsche Boxster or a Corvette - but as a stylish droptop it;s hard to beat and has a much more conventional appeal than the less-odd-since-the-restyle but still rather strange-looking BMW Z4. This is a stylish and quick car for looking good and having fun - but not for the Nürburgring.

Sales of the SLK350 start on June 1, and the intro price is $54,800.

Leib's press conference also included several important business details - Q1 2011 profits at Mercedes USA were back to pre-recession levels and sales were up 10.7% over Q1 2010.