CULT roadster the Mercedes SLK will go back to the future when the third generation of the popular sports car hits the streets in June.

Stunning looks that hark back to the legendary 190 SL from the 1950s - regarded by many as being the original SLK - define the new car's style.

An upright radiator grille features the company's trademark three-pointed star while behind the long bonnet is a compact passenger compartment positioned far back, and a short tail end.

But it wasn't just the past that the designers were focusing on as they have also created a close visual link with both the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG gullwing model and the new CLS.

There are LED head and tail lights while inside, the centre console is in brushed aluminium with high-gloss wood as an option and an analogue clock sits on top of the dashboard.

There's also a flat-bottomed sports steering wheel, optional sun-reflecting leather as well as the Airscarf high-level heating system, which blasts warm air around your neck from seat vents.

And for the first time there are three variants of the lightweight folding metal hardtop - a standard version painted in the vehicle colour, a dark tinted panoramic vario-roof and a world premiere called Magic Sky Control, a glass roof which switches to light or dark at the press of a button.

From launch there will be three models up for grabs - all powered by new engines with direct injection.

Four-cylinder units in the 1.8-litre SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY and SLK 250 BlueEFFICIENCY develop 184bhp and 204bhp, the former claiming to be the most economical roadster in its segment.

With optional seven-speed 7G‑Tronic Plus auto transmission it can return 46.3mpg on the combined cycle yet can still sprint from 0-62 mph in 7.0 seconds.

That transmission is standard in the 250 BlueEFFICIENCY which can return 45.5mpg. From a standstill it reaches 62 mph in 6.6 seconds and has a top speed of 150 mph.

The 3.5-litre V6 engine in the SLK 350 BlueEFFICIENCY produces 306bhp, can accelerate from 0-62 in 5.6 seconds and can return an average 39.7mpg.

Start/stop is standard spec on all models and prices will be confirmed closer to launch.