WITH summer somewhere around the corner, Mercedes-Benz has unveiled prices and specifications for its latest open-topped cars.

The full range of the all-new CLK-Class cabriolet goes on sale, just after the range-topping SL600 roadster.

In case the sun decides to keep its hat on, fully-automatic hoods are standard equipment across both ranges: the roadster has a three-piece metal vario-roof, while the cabriolet has an advanced, lightning-proof fabric hood.

The new cabriolet range, which features higher levels of standard equipment than before, starts from £31,245 on the road for the CLK 200 Kompressor.

Added to new engines are outstanding aerodynamic figures, low interior noise levels and a spacious boot providing 390-litres.

Other versions are the CLK 240 for £33,225, CLK 320 for £38,705, CLK 500 for £47,285, and the flagship CLK 55 AMG at £61,445.00.

The new range costs an average of 5.9 per cent more than the outgoing models, but carries more standard equipment than before and two engines - the CLK 200 Kompressor and CLK 500 - that are new to the range.

As with the CLK-Class coup stablemate, two trim levels - Elegance and Avantgarde - are available at the same price.

Standard UK specification includes revolutionary head-thorax side impact airbags, rollover sensors with strengthened pop-up rear head rests; the handy "belt butler" from the coupe (the seatbelt is automatically "handed" to the driver and passenger), and a fully automatic soft top featuring remote control operation.

The soft top is interesting: made up of eight layers of material and some 830 components. The fabric roof opens or closes automatically at the touch of a button, in about 20 seconds.

A larger rear windscreen and smaller C-pillar than before helps all-round visibility. The roof structure has even been designed to act as a Faraday cage, meaning the car can withstand lightning strikes with the passengers in safety.

The SL 600 roadster is described by Mercedes as a technological tour de force featuring some of the most advanced road car technology in the world.

This latest model is powered by the same 5.5-litre, 500hp, bi-turbo V12 engine that is already fitted to the S-Class saloon and CL-Class coup. Maximum torque is 800Nm, available from 1800 - 3,600rpm.

The car's performance figures are impressive. Acceleration from 0 to 62.5mph takes only 4.7 seconds, while the time taken to travel from 37 to 75mph is only 4.9 seconds. However, epic performance does not mean epic fuel consumption. The bi-turbo engine is remarkably frugal for such a powerful car, returning 19.6mpg on the combined cycle.

Inside there is more than a hint of luxury, with Exclusive embossed Nappa leather seats with massaging dynamic multi-contour backrests. A wood and leather-trimmed gear shift and steering wheel, TV tuner for the standard "Comand" audio and navigation system is also standard. Sound is provided by a Bose speaker system, and the standard mobile hands-free telephone is mounted in the centre armrest.

Externally, the SL 600 differs from its stablemates with exclusive 18-inch wheels, and there is active body control to keeps thing on the level when cornering or driving over bumpy roads.

Chrome trim around the radiator, silver brake callipers and V12 badging on the side air intakes and bi-xenon headlights also lift the visual appeal of the new Roadster.

A brace of other safety features - anti-lock braking with brake assist are standard across both ranges, as is an electronic stability program.

Four airbags (two front airbags and side head-thorax airbags) are standard, and the new cars are fitted with rollover sensors as standard.

If the vehicle rolls, the car triggers the side airbags and seat belt tensioners to help protect occupants. In the case of the SL-Class, a roll-over hoop pops up to protect occupants, while in the CLK-Class cabriolet, two strengthened head rests perform the same job.

A less obvious but equally useful feature is Mercedes-Benz's Speedtronic cruise control system. Speedtronic can - at the flick of the cruise control lever - keep the car within designated speed limits, meaning improved safety for other road users, as well as reducing the risk of speeding-related licence endorsements.

Every CLK-Class cabriolet and SL-Class roadster has "ASSYST" that is variable servicing intervals as standard. The cars also come with a three-year unlimited mileage warranty, and mobilo-life warranty cover. Warranties for protection against inside-to-outside corrosion and breakdown cover are for 30 years from the date of first registration.

Updated: 11:18 Friday, June 13, 2003