Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class

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

Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class
Overview
Manufacturer
Production1996–2020
Body and chassis
ClassSports car (S)
Compact grand tourer
Body style2-door roadster
LayoutFront-engine, rear-wheel-drive

The former name "SLK" was derived from sportlich (sporty), leicht (light), 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]

First generation (R170; 1996–2004)
Main article: Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class (R170)
R170 SLK-Class

The R170 Mercedes SLK was the first generation compact roadster produced by Mercedes-Benz, from 1996 to 2004.[4] 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.[5] 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 94-inch (2,400 mm) wheelbase.[6] A facelift was introduced to all models in 2000, featuring an updated design and updated engines.[7]

Second generation (R171; 2004–2010)
Main article: Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class (R171)
R171 SLK-Class

The R171 SLK was unveiled at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show. It features increased use of high-strength steel,[8] and improvements to the car's torsional strength and aerodynamic efficiency.[8] 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 63 liters (2.2 cu ft).[8] The R171 also introduced the Airscarf system that integrates neck-level heating system into the headrests of the car.[8] The front-end design of the car was inspired by the noses found in Formula One cars.[8] It was facelifted in 2008 and featured new engines and minor exterior design changes.[9]

Third generation (R172; 2011–2020)
Main article: Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class (R172)
R172 SLK-Class
Mercedes-benz SLC-Class Front (left)

The R172 SLK was released in 2011.[10] 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. The facelift was released for vehicles produced from March 2016, to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the SLK-Class.[11] 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 release a Final Edition which is intended to commemorate the range as production ends.[12]

Sales figures

The following are the sales figures for the SLK-Class since 2001:[13]

Year EU sales US sales
2001 27,734 11,268[14]
2002 19,039 7,784
2003 14,629 6,023[15]
2004 38,417 7,360
2005 36,823 11,278[16]
2006 27,128 10,410
2007 20,834 7,270[17]
2008 18,529 4,941
2009 10,805 2,566[18]
2010 8,779 1,980
2011 17,729 3,220[19]
2012 17,731 4,595[19]
2013 12,594 4,757[20]
2014 11,114 4,737[20]
2015 10,369 4,182
2016 8,909 3,397
2017 8,421 2,860
2018 1,993
2019 1,840
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References
  1. The roadsters are back TIME William A. McWhirter / Detroit, 2 December 1996.
  2. Ewing, Steven (11 November 2014). "Mercedes renames utility vehicles, repositions Maybach as sub-brand". Autoblog.com. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  3. "Mercedes-Benz expands brand world and introduces new nomenclature: Mercedes-Maybach for the ultimate in exclusivity and individuality". Daimler AG. 11 November 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-11-12. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  4. "Mercedes-Benz SLK Roadster Review (1996 - 2004) | Parkers". www.parkers.co.uk. Retrieved 2018-05-04.
  5. "Auto & Design – 98 – Reinterpretation of the roadster". Autodesignmagazine.com. Archived from the original on 2008-08-07. Retrieved 2012-05-18.
  6. Long, Brian (2014-11-28). Mercedes-Benz SLK: – R170 series 1996-2004. Veloce Publishing Ltd. ISBN 9781845846510.
  7. "SLK R170 Face-Lift for Year 2000". oocities. 1999-11-20. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  8. "The new Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class". Mercedes Benz. 15 March 2004. Archived from the original on 13 July 2015. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  9. New Cars on Sale. "The Telegraph 4 April 2008". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-05-18.
  10. "Geneva motor show: Mercedes SLK". AOL. 1 March 2011. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  11. "Salon Detroit 2016 : Mercedes SLC". turbo.fr.
  12. "The Mercedes-Benz SLC Roadster is Officially Done". motortrend. 20 February 2020. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  13. "Mercedes-Benz SLK monthly and annual sales in Europe". Left-Lane.com. Retrieved 2014-03-24.
  14. "Mercedes-Benz USA Records Highest Sales in Its History. – Free Online Library". Thefreelibrary.com. 2003-01-03. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
  15. "2004 Highest Year on Record for Mercedes-Benz USA". Theautochannel.com. Retrieved 2010-03-21.
  16. "Mercedes-Benz Rings in the New Year with Record 2006 Sales". Theautochannel.com. Retrieved 2010-03-21.
  17. "Mercedes-Benz USA's Sales Drop 32.1 Percent In December 2008 | eMercedesBenz – The Unofficial Mercedes-Benz Weblog". eMercedesBenz. 2009-01-05. Archived from the original on 2012-07-29. Retrieved 2010-03-21.
  18. "Highest Sales Month for the Year at 21,469 Brings Mercedes-Benz to an... – MONTVALE, N.J., Jan. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/". New Jersey: Prnewswire.com. 2011-01-04. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
  19. "Mercedes-Benz USA Hits Its Highest-Ever U.S. Volume With Sales Of 305,072". PR Newswire. 3 January 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  20. "Mercedes-Benz Delivers Record-Breaking 2014 Sales Volume Of 330,391, Up 5.7%". PR Newswire. 5 January 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
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