Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class explained

Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class
Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class
Production:1996–2020
Class:Sports car (S)
Compact grand tourer
Body Style:2-door roadster
Layout:Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive

The Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class is a compact executive roadster, produced by Mercedes-Benz. It was released in 1996 and was built at the Mercedes plant in Bremen, Germany, until the end of production in 2020.

The former name "SLK" was derived from sportlich (sporty), leicht (lightweight), and kurz (short).[1] With the release of the facelift R172 in 2016, the SLK-Class was renamed to SLC-Class in accordance with the revised nomenclature adopted by Mercedes. Under this scheme, roadsters use the base name "SL", followed by the model's placement in Mercedes-Benz hierarchy, the letter "C", being the roadster equivalent to the C-Class.[2] [3]

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First generation (R170; 1995–2004)

See main article: Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class (R170).

The R170 Mercedes SLK was the first generation compact roadster produced by Mercedes-Benz, from 1995 to 2004.[4] [5] It was designed from late 1991 under Bruno Sacco, with a final design being completed in early 1993 and approved by the board, with a German design patent filed on September 30, 1993.[6] The production SLK-Class was introduced at the Turin Motor Show on 22 April 1996, appearing as a modern incarnation of the 1950s Mercedes-Benz 190SL, by returning to four cylinders and with an identical 94inches wheelbase.[7] A facelift was introduced to all models in 2000, featuring an updated design and updated engines.[8]

Second generation (R171; 2003–2010)

See main article: Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class (R171).

The R171 SLK was unveiled at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show. It features increased use of high-strength steel,[9] and improvements to the car's torsional strength and aerodynamic efficiency. Models feature a more compact, revised roof mechanism that is operated in 22 seconds (previously 25 seconds), resulting in an increase in boot capacity by 63liters.[9] The R171 also introduced the Airscarf system that integrates neck-level heating system into the headrests of the car.[9] The front-end design of the car was inspired by the noses found in Formula One cars. It was facelifted in 2008 and featured new engines and minor exterior design changes.[10]

Third generation (R172; 2011–2020)

See main article: Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class (R172).

The R172 SLK was released in 2011.[11] It was available with a range of inline-four, V6, and V8, diesel and petrol engines, and introduced an electronically operated window tint shade for the sunroof, called Magic Sky Control. A facelift was released for vehicles produced from March 2016, to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the SLK-Class.[12] The model range was also renamed to SLC-Class to conform to the new Mercedes nomenclature, and introduced new engines and a revised design. In 2020, Mercedes-Benz released a Final Edition to commemorate the end of the car's production run.[13]

Sales figures

The following are the sales figures for the SLK-Class since 2001:[14]

YearEU salesUS sales
200127,73411,268[15]
200219,0397,784
200314,6296,023[16]
200438,4177,360
200536,82311,278[17]
200627,12810,410
200720,8347,270[18]
200818,5294,941
200910,8052,566[19]
20108,7791,980
201117,7293,220[20]
201217,7314,595
201312,5944,757[21]
201411,1144,737
201510,3694,182
20168,9093,397
20178,4212,860
20181,993
20191,840

References

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. https://web.archive.org/web/20080304151435/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,985621-1,00.html . 2008-03-04 . The roadsters are back . . William A. . McWhirter . 2 December 1996 .
  2. Web site: Ewing . Steven . 11 November 2014 . Mercedes renames utility vehicles, repositions Maybach as sub-brand . . 12 November 2014.
  3. Web site: Mercedes-Benz expands brand world and introduces new nomenclature: Mercedes-Maybach for the ultimate in exclusivity and individuality . . 11 November 2014 . 12 November 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141112050328/http://media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-921-1760651-1-1760337-1-0-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0.html?TS=1415752768119 . 2014-11-12 . dead .
  4. Web site: SLK 200 / R 170 E 20, 1996 - 2000. 10 December 2023. mercedes-benz-publicarchive.com.
  5. Web site: Mercedes-Benz SLK Roadster Review (1996 - 2004) Parkers. www.parkers.co.uk. en. 2018-05-04.
  6. Web site: Auto & Design – 98 – Reinterpretation of the roadster . Autodesignmagazine.com . 2012-05-18 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080807013008/http://www.autodesignmagazine.com/articoli/es/098/a2.htm . 2008-08-07 .
  7. Book: Long, Brian. Mercedes-Benz SLK: – R170 series 1996-2004. 2014-11-28. Veloce Publishing Ltd. 9781845846510. en.
  8. Web site: SLK R170 Face-Lift for Year 2000. 1999-11-20. oocities. 2018-05-03.
  9. News: The new Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class. 15 March 2004. Mercedes Benz. 14 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150713224752/http://media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-921-1690014-1-807330-1-0-0-0-0-1-0-1549054-0-1-0-0-0-0-0.html?TS=1436806615524. 13 July 2015. dead.
  10. Web site: New Cars on Sale . The Telegraph 4 April 2008 . Telegraph.co.uk . 2012-05-18.
  11. Web site: Geneva motor show: Mercedes SLK. 1 March 2011. AOL. 5 February 2014.
  12. Web site: Salon Detroit 2016 : Mercedes SLC. turbo.fr.
  13. The Mercedes-Benz SLC Roadster is Officially Done . . 20 February 2020 . 5 August 2020.
  14. Web site: Mercedes-Benz SLK monthly and annual sales in Europe. Left-Lane.com. 2014-03-24.
  15. Web site: Mercedes-Benz USA Records Highest Sales in Its History. – Free Online Library. 2003-01-03. Thefreelibrary.com. 2011-01-12.
  16. Web site: 2004 Highest Year on Record for Mercedes-Benz USA. Theautochannel.com. 2010-03-21.
  17. Web site: Mercedes-Benz Rings in the New Year with Record 2006 Sales. Theautochannel.com. 2010-03-21.
  18. Web site: Mercedes-Benz USA's Sales Drop 32.1 Percent In December 2008 | eMercedesBenz – The Unofficial Mercedes-Benz Weblog. 2009-01-05. eMercedesBenz. 2010-03-21. https://archive.today/20120729125348/http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Jan09/05_001548_Mercedes_Benz_USA_Sales_Drop_32_Percent_In_December_2008.html. 2012-07-29. dead.
  19. Web site: Highest Sales Month for the Year at 21,469 Brings Mercedes-Benz to an... – MONTVALE, N.J., Jan. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/. 2011-01-04. Prnewswire.com. New Jersey. 2011-01-12.
  20. Web site: Mercedes-Benz USA Hits Its Highest-Ever U.S. Volume With Sales Of 305,072. 3 January 2013. PR Newswire. 22 March 2013.
  21. Web site: Mercedes-Benz Delivers Record-Breaking 2014 Sales Volume Of 330,391, Up 5.7%. 5 January 2015. PR Newswire. 16 January 2015.

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