So you're looking for a sportscar, are you? Something small, with just two seats, rear-driven and as capable of turning heads when cruising a boulevard as it is upping your pulse rate pounding a favourite back road?

But you've got one problem. Twin-turbo V12s, puppy-swallowing V8s and even manically turbocharged 'fours' are simply too, well, un-PC for your eco-friendly lifestyle! SLK200 could be your answer...

It has the looks down pat, that's for sure, especially that stunning SLR-like front end. And of course it can be gorgeous in rainy conditions with the folding hardtop in place, and sultry in unadulterated sunshine with the cabin bared to the elements.

The interior, too, is divine. Classy, with excellent-quality materials wherever you look, despite the rather loud-mouthed red leather trimmings of our test car. And despite what appear to be dinky-car dimensions, it's even quite comfy in here for the tallest of our test team, which would be me.

It isn't even a 2.0-litre, as the name suggests, but a 1.8 with forced-induction via a belt-driven supercharger swelling its outputs to an impressive 135kW at 5500rpm, and 240Nm of torque available from 2800-5000rpm. We'd figured that torque peak would actually arrive earlier given the nature of the supercharger and its long-held advantages over the (gas-driven) turbocharger configuration...

If your idea of a sportscar is dominated by being able to leave long black marks away from every robot and shred rubber at will, perhaps the SLK 55 AMG is more for you. But we feel there's actually a lot more to a sportscar than brute power. Tactility, delicacy, balance and finesse – and this SLK is an excellent example of just how crucial these less measurable elements of a sportscar's DNA are.

Despite the manne at the office questioning my sexual orientation (when we were far enough away not to get a klap! –ED), I stuck in the little Merc's cabin for the entire test period it was with us. And you know what? It's a joy to drive, regardless of the conditions.

If you're trickling through traffic, the interior comforts (like that ingenious air-scarf if you've got the hood down) and the envious looks of fellow motorists get you by. As does the tasty, meaty burble emanating from those twin pipes in fact - this engine sounds best between idle and its torque peak. And if you're pushing hard, well yes the power isn't brain-squelching but there's enough to travel along at a fair lick really.

And the handling is as sublime as in the bigger SLK variants - it's razor-sharp. Sure, it may not compete with a Cayman for keenness but it is close, and at least a match for a Z4 dynamically, and handles with a fluid purity and poise that underlines its premium sportscar status. And it entertains in this manner while still returning fuel consumption in the region of 8.0l/100km, averaged out.

Now, next time, we need it with a manual box - the R13K five-speed auto option fitted to our test car remains low on my list of likes...