Mercedes-Benz SLK (R170) | |
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Overview | |
Manufacturer |
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Production | October 1995 [1] – April 2004 |
Assembly |
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Designer |
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Body and chassis | |
Class | Sports car |
Body style | 2-door roadster |
Layout | Longitudinal front-engine, rear-wheel drive |
Related | |
Powertrain | |
Engine |
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Transmission | |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 2,400 mm (94.5 in) |
Length | 3,995–4,010 mm (157.3–157.9 in) |
Width | 1,715 mm (67.5 in) |
Height | 1,269–1,284 mm (50.0–50.6 in) |
Kerb weight | 1,270–1,495 kg (2,800–3,296 lb) |
Chronology | |
Successor | Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class (R171) |
The R170 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class is the first generation of the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class range of compact luxury roadsters manufactured by Mercedes-Benz between 1995 and 2004, [2] using a shortened variant of the W202 Mercedes C-Class platform.
With over 300,000 manufactured, the first generation SLK was replaced by the Mercedes R171 SLK in 2004. [3]
The SLK nameplate derives from the roadster's design mission to be sportlich (sporty), leicht (light) and kurz (compact). [4]
The R170 Mercedes SLK is based on the SLK I Concept, presented during Spring of 1994 at the Turin Motor Show, and SLK II Concept, presented during Fall of 1994 at the Paris Motor Show, which is a two-seater roadster concept car that features a folding metal electro-hydraulic roof, dubbed 'vario-roof' by Mercedes, and takes 25 seconds to operate. [5] [6] A German design patent was filed on 30 September 1993, with the final production version of the SLK introduced at the Turin Motor Show on 22 April 1996. [7] [8]
The R170 SLK is based on the W202 C-Class platform, sharing many drivetrain and chassis components, as well as using a shortened version of the floor pan. [9] The wheelbase is also identical to the wheelbase of the 190SL and 300SL, at 2,400 mm (94.5 in). [10]
The platform of the R170 Mercedes SLK is also used by the Chrysler Crossfire, which shares 80% of its components with the car. [11] [12]
Standard equipment includes power seats, power windows, power steering, dual-zone climate control, dimmable interior mirror, and alloy wheels. Safety features include front and side driver and passenger airbags, anti-lock brakes, and electronic stability control. [13] Models could also be optioned with the AMG body design package, also sometimes called a "sport package" that features body colour side skirts, chromed tailpipes, 17-inch AMG alloy wheels on lower profile performance tires, and a sculpted front apron with black-mesh air intakes. Wider wheels were also available on SLK 230 Kompressor models. Other available options included a 5-speed "Touch Shift" 5G-Tronic automatic transmission, heated seats, xenon headlamps, a premium Bose sound system, a trunk-mounted 6-CD changer, 8-way power seats, and a manually telescoping steering wheel. Many of these options were standard on the SLK 32 AMG. [14]
The SLK 200 Kompressor was exported and sold exclusively to Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Turkey, and Greece, and was only available with the Getrag five-speed manual transmission. [15] After the 2000 facelift, the SLK 200 Kompressor was introduced to the worldwide market.
Model | Engine | Power | Torque | 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) | Years |
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SLK 200 | M111.946 2.0 L I4 | 100 kW (136 PS; 134 hp) at 5,000 rpm | 190 N⋅m (140 lb⋅ft) at 3,700–4,500 rpm | 9.3 s / 9.7 s | 1996–2000 |
SLK 200 Kompressor | M111.943 2.0 L I4 supercharged | 141 kW (192 PS; 189 hp) at 5,300 rpm | 270 N⋅m (199 lb⋅ft) at 2,500–4,800 rpm | 7.7 s / | 1996–2000 |
M111.958 2.0 L I4 supercharged | 120 kW (163 PS; 161 hp) at 5,300 rpm | 230 N⋅m (170 lb⋅ft) at 2,500–4,800 rpm | 8.2 s / 8.5 s | 2000–2004 | |
SLK 230 Kompressor | M111.973 2.3 L I4 supercharged | 142 kW (193 PS; 190 hp) at 5,300 rpm | 280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) at 2,500–4,800 rpm | 7.3 s / 7.4 s | 1996–2000 |
M111.983 2.3 L I4 supercharged | 145 kW (197 PS; 194 hp) at 5,500 rpm | 280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) at 2,500 rpm | 7.2 s / 7.3 s | 2000–2004 | |
SLK 320 | M112.947 3.2 L V6 | 160 kW (218 PS; 215 hp) at 5,700 rpm | 310 N⋅m (229 lb⋅ft) at 3,000–4,600 rpm | 6.9 s / 6.9 s | 2000–2004 |
SLK 32 AMG | M112.960 3.2 L V6 supercharged | 260 kW (354 PS; 349 hp) at 6,100 rpm | 450 N⋅m (332 lb⋅ft) at 4,400 rpm | / 5.2 s | 2001–2004 |
*Acceleration times are for manual/automatic gearbox
The SLK 32 AMG was introduced in 2001, designed to rival the BMW M Roadster and Porsche Boxster S. [16] The car featured the same, though upgraded version of M112 engine as in the SLK 320, but has a helical twin-screw supercharger and water-to-air intercooler. [17]
The SLK 32 AMG introduced Mercedes' new SpeedShift 5G-Tronic (automatic) transmission, that allow for manual shifting of the gears, and faster automatic downshifts before overtaking. [18] There was no manual transmission option available for the SLK 32 AMG.
The SLK 32 AMG features a more angular steering wheel, AMG instrument dials, an updated front and rear bumper with larger air intakes, and larger brakes; from 300 mm (12 in), upgraded to 334 mm (13 in) in diameter. [19] SLK 32 production started from January 2001, to March 2004. A total of 4,333 were produced; 979 were sold in Germany, 2,056 were imported to the US, and 263 to the UK. [20]
Production for facelift models began after February 2000. Major changes include:
The following are production figures for the R170 SLK: [36] [37]
Model | Total |
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SLK 200 | 44,846 |
SLK 200 Kompressor | 67,802 |
SLK 230 Kompressor | 160,825 |
SLK 320 | 33,416 |
SLK 32 AMG | 4,333 |
Total | 311,222 |
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