In a surprising move, Mercedes-Benz has scheduled the official debut of its 2012 SLK convertible in January, but not at the Detroit auto show. Perhaps to avoid being overshadowed by the industry’s huge winter hoopla, though, Mercedes is already releasing information on its new roadster.

We’ll get to the official info in a second. First, though, what Mercedes doesn't want us to know: Our sources tell us that the 2012 model will keep the compact dimensions of the current car, but will employ a few design cues from the SLS AMG—just as its predecessor borrowed some flair from Mercedes’ hottest ride at the time, the SLR. The front will be dominated by a traditional SL-style grille instead of another version of the Formula 1–inspired nose that graces the current car.

The SLK will come with four- and six-cylinder engines elsewhere, but only the sixes are likely for the U.S. (If we do get any fours, rest assured that they’ll be turbocharged and we won’t see them for a few years.) We’ve been told that the SLK AMG will be powered by a 5.5-liter V-8 based on that in the new class of AMG 63 cars, but whether it will be a naturally aspirated version or a detuned turbo is unclear. Either way, expect that version’s traction-control system to stay busy.

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Being a Mercedes, the SLK will overflow with technology—the armada of safety systems is outlined below—but the coolest will be the goofily named Magic Sky Control roof. An evolution of the Maybach 62's glass roof, Magic Sky Control can vary its opacity between almost full transparency and a severely darkened mode, but is unable to summon lightning and direct tornados with pinpoint precision, thereby leaving actual sky control in the hands of Halle Berry.

All of the SLK’s safety systems are familiar from other Mercedes products. Attention Assist and Adaptive Brake will be standard, while Pre-Safe and Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control will be optional. Attention Assist monitors steering inputs, illuminating a coffee-cup icon in the IP to suggest a break (or nap) when those inputs slow or become erratic.

Adaptive Brake performs a variety of functions, holding the car stationary at stops and keeping it from rolling backwards on inclines. It also performs a more important role: If the driver lifts his or her foot from the gas quickly (as people do in a panic), it snugs the brake pads against the discs for quicker braking-system response. It performs a similar function periodically in the wet, in order to keep the discs dry. And, when the driver really stomps on the brake pedal, the lights don’t just illuminate, but flash wildly in order to wake up any daydreamers riding your tail.

Pre-Safe, which senses impending doom and positions the seats for better occupant protection in a collision, gains new post-crash functions in the 2012 SLK. Depending on the severity of the crash—and what tasks the system is still able to perform—Pre-Safe will switch on interior lighting, lower windows, and raise the steering wheel out of the driver’s way.

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What we’d really like to see happen is for the SLK to shake the chick-car looks. Hopefully the SL-inspired nose helps, but an illustration of the 2012 car highlighting the various safety systems shows proportions nearly unchanged from the current model. We’ll have to wait just a bit longer to get our first full look at the new SLK.