The Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class is a small luxury 2-door roadster. The name was chosen to reflect the company's intentions for the car - that it be Sportlich (sporty), Leicht (light), and Kompakt (compact). There have been two generations of SLK cars from Mercedes-Benz.
The vehicle is perhaps famous for its folding hardtop. While it did not pioneer it, the SLK revived its usage in modern automobiles. It was soon followed by the Peugeot 206 CC, Lexus SC 430 and its larger brother, the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.
1998
The R170-platform SLK was introduced in 1997 for model year 1998 as the SLK 230 to compete with the Porsche Boxster and BMW Z3. Setting it apart was its folding hardtop, but this added weight, denting 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.
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 349 hp supercharged version of the 3.2 L V6. This SLK32 AMG was the best-performing SLK ever, and was a suitable challenger for the BMW M Roadster and Porsche Boxster S.
2005
The SLK was updated in 2005 with a new Formula One-inspired appearance and serious performance. The new SLK was again on Car and Driver's Ten Best list for 2005, and it won the Canadian Car of the Year 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.
Models of the new SLK include:
- SLK 200 Kompressor - 1.8 L 163 hp engine, 0-62mph 7.9 seconds, top speed of 143 mph.
- SLK 350 - new 3.5 L (3498 cc) 272 hp double overhead cam V6 engine, 0-62mph 5.5 seconds, top speed 155 mph.
- SLK 55 AMG - 5.5 L (5439 cc) 360 hp V8 engine, 0-62mph 4.9 seconds, top speed 155 mph.
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