Mercedes-Benz has released a few early pictures of its upcoming 2012 SLK, but perhaps even more intriguing is a new feature that might change the way drivers think about convertibles.

The company released several new pictures of the car, although it was covered in a casing so that the public cannot yet see the final design. The company, did however, spill the beans on a new feature on the car that its dubbing "Magic Sky Control."

The new SLK will continue to use a retractable hardtop like previous iterations, but the new model will come with a glass pane option that will give the entire roof a see-through finish.

Many drivers might assume that this could lead to an extremely hot car on summer days. That's where "Magic Sky" comes in. The new glass pane consists of magnetic particles that are suspended in fluid. With sky control off, these particles filter out light, ensuring that the inside of the car remains cool – up to 50 degrees cooler, according to the company. But when the control is turned on, the particles shift, allowing light through and creating the illusion that the top is actually down.

Drivers looking for a luxury car may want to shop the pre-owned market, where a used Mercedes can be found for substantially less than its original sticker price.