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KNOXVILLE, TN – Ah, there’s nothing like driving a German-engineered roadster, wind in your hair, down one of the finest stretches of road this side of the Atlantic.

With 318 turns over 11 miles (18 km), the route dubbed the “Tail of the Dragon” brings out the best in the ’12 Mercedes SLK roadster, which is not the fastest or priciest vehicle in the Mercedes-Benz lineup, but quite possibly the most rewarding to drive.

The SLK’s spot-on steering and handling is reminiscent of a classic British roadster, except with gobs more horsepower. The 3.5L V-6’s 302 hp and 273 lb.-ft. (370 Nm) of torque make for an exhilarating drive as the roadster gobbles up turn after turn with ease.

Key to the SLK’s handling characteristics is its direct-steer rack-and-pinion setup. While many other auto makers have gone to electric steering, Mercedes wisely sticks to the tried and true.

While electric steering saves a bit of fuel, the technology just doesn’t provide the same road feedback as hydraulics, which is critical for a car like the SLK.

However, Mercedes doesn’t completely abandon newer technology in its steering system. The power-assisted rack boasts a variable ratio that provides quick response while at speed and less effort in low-speed situations.

For safety, the steering unit is mounted to the front subframe, which helps absorb crash energy and is designed to slide safely under the passenger compartment in the event of a collision.

The steering configuration is a good match for the suspension setup. McPherson struts with incorporated coil springs up front keep road imperfections from reaching the cabin; a front stabilizer bar, which Mercedes says acts like a torsion bar, minimizes body lean.