IT'S quite often the case that when a car has a makeover, the changes are really marginal, a chrome grille here, a bumper or new light cluster there and maybe a new colour scheme for the interior.

But Merc's makeover for its popular roadster has produced a whole new car and in typical Mercedes style, brand new innovations.

It is simply miles better than its predecessor - in looks, equipment levels and perhaps most importantly, the quality of the finish.

Styling revisions to the exterior include a slippery new profile with less drag a smart new grille and headlamps adorning the long roadster bonnet and on the tested model, AMG body styling on front and rear aprons and side skirts.

Front and rear light clusters feature LED daytime running lights and there are eye-catching, twin chrome-trimmed tailpipes.

A new innovation, available at a price, is the colour-changing panoramic glass incorporated into the steel folding roof. It can switch from light to dark at the touch of a button and gives the cabin a lighter, more airy feel.

The cabin itself oozes quality with AMG body styling, high-quality Nappa leather sports seats that are multi-adjustable and a clever intrument layout that resembles a chequered flag design. There is also a riot of stylish brushed aluminum trim and tinted glass.

Other equipment include a multifunction sports steering wheel with a flattened bottom section, plus optional sun-reflecting leather and ambient lighting.

The car also has a high quality sound system that includes DAB tuner, CD changer and MP3 connectivity together with the 5.8-inch colour display screen and a host of other electrical goodies for maximum comfort and convenience.

Even sporty open top roadsters are being 'greened up' these days with fuel and carbon dioxide savings becoming as important as performance - and the roadster is no exception with the Mercedes BlueEFFICIENCY technology.

It features the ubiquitous stop/go technology which delivers respectable claimed economy of  41.5mpg with emissions of 158g/km putting in the 21 per cent benefit in kind taxation bracket.

It's greener but the 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol unit still packs a punch, if not the knockout performance of some competitors.

Push the accelerator and it races throught the gears from 0-60mph in just 7.3 seconds, quick enough for most people, while the exhaust deliver a delightful sporty rasp. But the quicker you go, wind and road noise from the 18-inch alloy wheels becomes more intrusive.

Handling is excellent from the rear-wheel drive roadster and when you do get the back end twitching, standard traction and stability control kicks to keeps things sensible again.

For something a little more exciting, press the sport button to change the vehicle dynamics for a more involving and sportier drive.

For those who like the roof down, but don't want to freeze, the optional Airscarft system that delivers heated air to neck and shoulders is available as are heated seats.

Roadsters are not high on practicality, but the boot space in the SLK is more than competitive, with 335 litres available with the roof up and 225 with it folded away.

As usual, Mercedes safety kit is comprehensive with an array of active and passive features and a spring up bonnet to protect pedestrians.

At nearly £34,000, the car is not cheap, but it is a quantum leap forward from the old model, which I liked anyway, but this new model has much more appeal.