SLK stands for the company’s design mission to create a sportlich (sporty), leicht (light) and kurz (compact) roadster,[3] and is based on a shortened platform of the W202 Mercedes C-Class.
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]
Equipment
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]
Pre-facelift SLK
Models
SLK 200 Kompressor
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.
The SLK 32 AMG introduced Mercedes' new SpeedShift5G-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]
Model year changes
1998
Passenger airbag will now automatically deactivate if Mercedes-branded child seat is fitted[21]
Introduction of Manual transmission and AMG Sport package options, which included Sport aero body kit, 17" staggered AMG wheels, HD sway bars, and performance exhaust[23]
2000 facelift
SLK 200 Kompressor (facelift)
Production for facelift models began after February 2000. Major changes include:
Exterior design changes including: redesigned front and rear bumpers, a redesigned silver grille and taillights,[24] body-colour painted side-skirts and door handles,[25] integrated indicators in wing mirrors,[26] and stainless steel trim in the exhaust[27]
Interior design changes including: a restyled steering wheel and transmission shifter, and more supportive sports seats[28]
Naturally-aspirated SLK 200 discontinued, SLK 230 Kompressor engine updated, SLK 320 introduced, and SLK 200 Kompressor now introduced for worldwide market[29]
Alfieri, Bruno (1997). Mercedes-Benz SLK. New Great Car Series (in English, German, and Italian). Milan: Automobilia. ISBN8879600559.
Allner, Michael (2021). Mercedes-Benz SLK & SLC: alle Generationen, alle Baujahre [Mercedes-Benz SLK & SLC: All Generations, All Model Years] (in German). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN9783613043671.
Bass, Chris (2015). Mercedes-Benz SLK: R170 series 1996-2004. The Essential Buyer's Guide series. Dorchester, Dorset, UK: Veloce Publishing. ISBN9781845848088.
Engelen, Günter (2006). Faszination SLK: R 170 (in German and English). Königswinter, Germany: Heel Verlag. ISBN9783898806848.
Koehling, Bernd S. (2021). Mercedes-Benz: Everything you want to know about the SLK R170 - From the SLK 200 to the SLK 32 AMG and Tuners. Independently published. ISBN9798736788729.
Vieweg, Christof (1996). Alles über den Mercedes-Benz SLK [Everything about the Mercedes-Benz SLK]. Technik transparent series (in German). Stuttgart: Mercedes-Benz AG. ISBN3980445712.
Zoporowski, Tobias (2018). Mercedes-Benz SLK (R 170): Alle Modelle von 1996–2004 [Mercedes-Benz SLK (R 170): All Models from 1996–2004]. Praxisratgeber Klassikerkauf series (in German). Königswinter, Germany: Heel Verlag. ISBN9783958436961.
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