Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class

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Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class
Manufacturer:	DaimlerChrysler AG
Production:	1998 – present
Class:	Roadster
Body Styles:	FR coupé convertible
Competitors:	Porsche Boxster BMW Z4 Leopard (car) Audi TT Honda S2000 Nissan 350Z
R170 (1998 model)
Image:Mercedes SLK 200 schwarz.jpg
Production:	1998–2004
Engines:	2.0 L I4 2.3 L I4 3.2 L V6
Related:	Chrysler Crossfire
R171 (2004 model)
Image:Mercedes SLK 200 K R171.jpg
Production:	2004–present
Engines:	1.8 L I4 3.0 L V6 3.5 L V6 5.5 L V8
Length:	4087 mm (160.7 in)
Width:	1778 mm (70 in)
Height:	1298 mm (51.1 in)
Curb weight:	1795 kg (3957 lb)

The Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class is a luxury roadster built by the German manufacturer Mercedes-Benz since 1997. The name was chosen to reflect the company's intentions for the car - that it be Sportlich (sporty), Leicht (light), and Kompakt (compact). By now there have been two generations of SLK.

The SLK is perhaps most famous for its retractable hardtop. While it did not pioneer it, the SLK revived its usage in modern automobiles. It was soon followed by the Peugeot 206CC, Lexus SC 430 and the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.

1 1997 - R170
2 2004 - R171
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] 1997 - R170

Main article: Mercedes-Benz R170

The R170-platform SLK 230 Kompressor was introduced in 1997 for model year 1998 to compete with the Porsche Boxster and BMW Z3. Setting it apart was its folding hardtop, but this added weight to the car and dented the performance of the 185 hp 2.3 L supercharged I4 engine and automatic transmission. The SLK was on Car and Driver's Ten Best list for 1997.

Very few toys or scale replicas of this car were produced. Parts can also be a bit hard to come by.

A 5-speed manual transmission was added for 1999, but it was the introduction of a 215 hp 3.2 L V6 and 6-speed manual transmission in the 2001 SLK 320 that really brought the Sportlich to the car.

An AMG model was added in 2002, with a 354 hp supercharged version of the 3.2 L V6. This SLK 32 AMG was the best-performing SLK ever, and was a direct rival of the BMW M Roadster and Porsche Boxster S. It is only offered with automatic transmission. The SLK AMG is also hand built.

Not all Mercedes SLKs were built in Bremen, Germany, the SLK 320 being built in South Africa. The very first R170 Mercedes SLK was completed on January 29 1997 and last on April 7 2004.

Modification There are very few mods for the R170 pre-facelift version of the car compared to its Japanese competitors.

You can purchase clear headlights and a white middle tail light. There are only a few body kits for the car, and no wide body kits. There are no after market hoods available, but you can get the 'nose' piece replica from the R171 version and put it on your car.

There are only a few performance modifications as well. The SLK 230 and 32 already have superchargers. One can buy a few performance chips, cool air intake and pulley kits for post 1999 SLKs. There are also few exhaust kits you can buy.

Summary of all versions and engine specifications:

R170 Pre-facelift

SLK 200 - 2.0 L (1998 cc) 136 hp I4 engine, 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 9.3 seconds, top speed of 208 km/h (129 mph). NB Exported only to Portugal, Italy and Greece.
SLK 200 Kompressor - 2.0 L (1998 cc) 192 hp I4 supercharged engine, 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 7.7 seconds, top speed of 236 km/h (147 mph).
SLK 230 Kompressor - 2.3 L (2295 cc) 193 hp I4 supercharged engine, 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 7.4 seconds, top speed of 231 km/h (143 mph).

R170 With Facelift

SLK 200 Kompressor - 2.0 L (1998 cc) 163 hp I4 supercharged engine, 0-60 mph in 8.2 seconds, top speed of 223 km/h (138 mph). NB Not exported to North American markets.
SLK 230 Kompressor - 2.3 L (2295 cc) 197 hp I4 supercharged engine, 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds, top speed of 240 km/h (148 mph).
SLK 320 - 3.2 L (3199 cc) 218 hp V6 engine, 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds, top speed of 245 km/h (152 mph).
SLK 32 AMG - 3.2 L (3199 cc) 354 hp V6 engine, 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds, electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

[edit] 2004 - R171

Main article: Mercedes-Benz R171

The SLK was updated in 2004 with a new Formula One-inspired appearance and serious performance. For 2005 the new R171-platform SLK was again on Car and Driver's Ten Best list, and it also won the Canadian Car of the Year's Best New Convertible award. Highlighting its potential appeal to women, New Zealand's Lucire magazine announced it as its 'Car to Be Seen in' for 2005. The current SLK is also built in Bremen, Germany. There are rumours that Mercedes-Benz is going to produce a SLK 63 AMG model with their new 6.2L naturally aspirated engine designed from scratch by AMG division.

Image:Mercedes SLK55 R171.jpg

Models of the new SLK include:

SLK 200 Kompressor - 1.8 L 120 kW (163 hp DIN) I4 supercharged engine, 0-100 km/h (62 mph) 7.9 seconds, top speed of 143 mph. (not available in Canada and the US)
SLK 280 - 3.0 L (2996 cc) 170 kW (231 hp DIN) double overhead cam V6 engine, 0-100 km/h (62 mph) 6.3 seconds, top speed 155 mph. (starting in 2006 model year)
SLK 350 - new 3.5 L (3498 cc) 200 kW (272 hp DIN) double overhead cam V6 engine, 0-100 km/h (62 mph) 5.4 seconds, top speed 155 mph (electronically limited).
SLK 55 AMG - 5.5 L (5439 cc) 265 kW (360 hp DIN) V8 engine, 0-100 km/h (62 mph) 4.8 seconds, top speed 155 mph (electronically limited). A tuned version of this was used as the Formula One safety car, replaced by CLK 63 AMG at the beginning of 2006 Season.