Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class (R170)
Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class (R170)
| Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class (R170) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer |
|
| Production | September 1996 – December 2003 |
| Assembly |
|
| Designer |
|
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car |
| Body style | 2-door roadster |
| Layout | Longitudinal front-engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Related |
|
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission |
|
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,400 mm (94.5 in) |
| Length | 3,995 mm (157.3 in) |
| Width | 1,715 mm (67.5 in) |
| Height | 1,289 mm (50.7 in) |
| Kerb weight | 1,195–1,461 kg (2,635–3,221 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 produced by Mercedes-Benz between 1996 and 2004.[1]
SLK stands for the company’s design mission to create a sportlich (sporty), leicht (light) and kurz (compact) roadster,[2] and is based on a shortened platform of the W202 Mercedes C-Class.
It was replaced by the Mercedes R171 SLK in 2004.[3]
| Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class (R170) | |
|---|---|
| |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer |
|
| Production | September 1996 – December 2003 |
| Assembly |
|
| Designer |
|
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car |
| Body style | 2-door roadster |
| Layout | Longitudinal front-engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Related |
|
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission |
|
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,400 mm (94.5 in) |
| Length | 3,995 mm (157.3 in) |
| Width | 1,715 mm (67.5 in) |
| Height | 1,289 mm (50.7 in) |
| Kerb weight | 1,195–1,461 kg (2,635–3,221 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class (R171) |
Development and launch
The R170 Mercedes SLK is based on the SLK I Concept and SLK II Concept, 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.[4] 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.[5][6]
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.[11] Models could also be optioned with the AMG body design package, that features body colour side skirts, chromed tailpipes, and 17-inch AMG alloy wheels. Wider wheels were also available on SLK 230 Kompressor models.[12]
Models
SLK 200, SLK 200 Kompressor
The SLK 200 was exported and sold exclusively to Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Turkey, and Greece, and was only available with the Getrag five-speed manual transmission in most countries.[13] After the 2000 facelift, the SLK 200 Kompressor was introduced to the worldwide market, replacing the SLK 200.
Engines
| Model | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLK 200 | 1996–2000 | M111.946 2.0 L I4 | 100 kW (134 hp) at 5,000 rpm | 190 N⋅m (140 lb⋅ft) at 3,700–4,500 rpm | 9.3 s |
| SLK 200 Kompressor | 1996–2000 | M111.943 2.0 L I4 supercharged | 141 kW (189 hp) at 5,300 rpm | 270 N⋅m (199 lb⋅ft) at 2,500–4,800 rpm | 7.7 s |
| 2000–2004 | M111.958 2.0 L I4 supercharged | 120 kW (161 hp) at 5,300 rpm | 230 N⋅m (170 lb⋅ft) at 2,500–4,800 rpm | 8.2 s | |
| SLK 230 Kompressor | 1996–2000 | M111.973 2.3 L I4 supercharged | 142 kW (190 hp) at 5,300 rpm | 280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) at 2,500–4,800 rpm | 7.4 s |
| 2000–2004 | M111.983 2.3 L I4 supercharged | 145 kW (194 hp) at 5,500 rpm | 280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) at 2,500 rpm | 7.2 s | |
| SLK 320 | 2000–2004 | M112 E32 3.2 L V6 | 160 kW (215 hp) at 5,700 rpm | 310 N⋅m (229 lb⋅ft) at 3,000–4,600 rpm | 6.9 s |
| SLK 32 AMG | 2001–2004 | M112 C32 3.2 L V6 supercharged | 260 kW (349 hp) at 6,100 rpm | 450 N⋅m (332 lb⋅ft) at 4,400 rpm | 5.2 s |
SLK 32 AMG version
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.[16] 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.[17] 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.[18]
Model year changes
1998
Passenger airbag will now automatically deactivate if Mercedes-branded child seat is fitted[19]
1999
2000 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,[22] body-colour painted side-skirts and door handles,[23] integrated indicators in wing mirrors,[24] and stainless steel trim in the exhaust[25]
Interior design changes including: a restyled steering wheel and transmission shifter, and more supportive sports seats[26]
SLK 230 Kompressor engine updated, SLK 320 introduced, and SLK 200 Kompressor replaces SLK 200 and now introduced for worldwide market[27]
Electronic stability control upgraded[28]
The fuel tank volume was increased from 45 L (12 US gal) to 53 L (14 US gal)[29][30]
2001
Production volumes
| Model | Total |
|---|---|
| SLK 200 | 44,846 |
| SLK 200 Kompressor | 125,873 |
| SLK 230 Kompressor | 102,754 |
| SLK 320 | 33,416 |
| SLK 32 AMG | 4,333 |
| Total: | 311,222 |