![]() ![]() Mercedes resurrected a construction that was invented by Peugeot in the Thirties ( the Peugeot 401/402 Eclipse). ![]() Looking back now, the SLK’s electric metal folding roof (Vario roof in Mercedes speak) proved to be a smart idea. That’s why the SLK never received the laurels of a “true sports car”, a benefit for customers tough enough to drive a “chick car”. Improving on that, Mercedes also put some thought into daily usability, maintainability, and reliability. So, how did they do it? Basically, Mercedes followed the classic method first laid out by British roadster manufacturers: look on your shelves, take the useful parts, add a snazzy body, implement some moderate speed- and road holding enhancements, then sell it. The SLK 32 AMG was considered a bit overdone at the time because of its excessive reliance on electronics to bring its horses to the road (the price tag might have played a role, too).Īfter 311,222 cars (119,921 manuals and 191,301 automatics) were sold worldwide, the R170 series was replaced by the R171 in 2004, not a bad sales performance for a newcomer in the small-roadster segment. The new 200 SLK, now promoted from 136 to 163 hp, found many followers too, which slightly reduced the sales of the 230 SLK. The “fiscal” 200 SLK with 192 hp was dropped.Īll in all, the facelift was well received, especially the naturally aspirated V6 320 SLK, which was able to win comparison tests again other six-cylinder powered roadsters like the Porsche Boxster and BMW Z3. In addition, the base 200 SLK now had a 163 hp compressor engine, the 230 SLK went from 193 to 197 hp, and two six-cylinder cars – the 320 SLK with 218 hp and the SLK 32 AMG with 354 hp – filled the needs of power-hungry customers. Combined with minor design modifications, the newer models offered better seats, a larger fuel tank (now 60 liter) and ESP (Electronic Stability Program) as standard. Urgent calls for a six-cylinder engine also were heard.Īfter four years in production, these issues were fixed by a facelift in 2000. The 136 hp 200 SLK engine did not generate much enthusiasm (but no complaints either), as the car, with 136 hp, had a top speed of 202 km/h and accelerated decently from 0 – 100 km/h in about 10 seconds). There were complaints, however, regarding the seats (too uncomfortable for long-distance travel) and the 53-liter fuel tank (too small for long distances). Suddenly, the competition in the small-roadster sector (e.g., Fiat Barchetta, BMW Z3, Audi TT, Alfa Spider, even the contemporary Mazda Miata/MX5) looked somewhat outdated, not only because of their rag-tops, but also in terms of performance and usability. The SLK fitted well into this framework of reinvention because it, too, was radical. Still a tech company, they came up with radical solutions (e.g., the much-hated (but not by their owners, of course) Smart, or the 1997 W198 A-Class–a roomy small car, not meant for conservative minds and hence never sold in the US). In the mid-nineties they had to re-invent themselves with the trusty W124 and W201 models having been dropped. For slightly used SLKs, you had to pay a premium of up to 15,000 DM if you wanted such a car immediately. The demand was overwhelming, and subsequently the wait for delivery reached more than a year. With its tin folding roof the car looked good, too, whether open or closed (not everyone got that right). Comparison tests demonstrated that this car was well up to or even ahead of the competition. Everyone, both the press and the customers, was enthusiastic. 7.3 sec with the 230 SLK), but obviously the price difference was too high and R129 sales dropped while R170 sales boomed in the following years.Īll in all, it was a good start for the SLK. Acceleration was slightly better, too (0 to 100 km/h / 62 mph 6.6 sec vs. Thanks to the SLK’s relatively low weight (1,385 kg), the 500 SL (automatic) with its 1,910 kg was only somewhat faster (top speed 250 km/h, vs. The 230 SLK, for example, with a base price of 62,250 DM, was more than 100,000 Deutschmark (about 70,00 USD) cheaper than a top-notch 500 SL (R129) with a 320 hp V8 engine. This relatively rare version had a top speed of 236 km/h / 147 mph and accelerated in 6.8 secs from 0 to 100 km/h /62 mph. ![]() (There also was a pretty hot 200 SLK manual-only version sold in Italy, Portugal and Greece (due to local taxation schemes) with a 1,998 ccm Roots compressor engine delivering 192 hp: the “fiscal” 200 SLK. There were two 4-cylinder models to choose from: a 1,998 ccm 200 SLK with 136 hp and a 2,225 ccm 230 SLK with 193 hp, motivated by a Rootes blower. ![]()
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