Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class (R172)

The third generation of Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class (SLC-Class) (series R172) was launched in Stuttgart in January 2011,[2] with a subsequent public launch at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show,[3] with international sales starting spring 2011. It is the successor of R171 series of roadsters which was originally launched in 2004.

Mercedes-Benz R172
Overview
Manufacturer	Daimler AG
Also called	Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class (facelift)
Production	2011–present
Assembly	Germany: Bremen (Mercedes-Benz Bremen plant)
Designer	Il-hun Yoon (2007, 2008)
Body and chassis
Class	Sports car (S)
Body style	2-door retractable hardtop
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Related	Mercedes-Benz W204 Mercedes-Benz C207
Dimensions
Wheelbase	95.7 in (2,431 mm)[1]
Length	162.8 in (4,135 mm)
Width	71.5 in (1,816 mm)
Height	51.2 in (1,300 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz R171

Initial release

Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY (Germany)

Mercedes-Benz SLK 250 AMG Sport (UK)

The design follows the themes of both the first and second generations, but incorporating headlamp design from the 190 SL roadster from the 1950s, and front end inspired by Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupé and Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (W218).[4]

"Edition 1" model includes special paint finish SHAPE in glacier grey, panoramic vario-roof, Dynamic Handling package, AMG bodystyling, two-tone designo nappa leather with contrasting topstitching, AIRSCARF, ambient lighting and more.

Orders began in from 17 January 2011, and arrived to dealer showrooms on 26 March 2011. Early models include SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY, SLK 250 BlueEFFICIENCY, SLK 350 BlueEFFICIENCY.[5] US models went on sale in summer 2011 as 2012 model year vehicles.

For 2014 model year, minor changes were made to standard equipment, and AMG Sports package renamed to AMG Line.

Roadster Pure (2011-)

It is a version of SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY with 7-speed automatic transmission, panoramic vario-roof, and the multimedia system COMAND Online. 18-inch light-alloy wheels in 5-twin-spoke design, lowered sports suspension by 10 mm (0.4 in), LED daytime running lights, metallic paint and leather heated seats.

SLK 250 CDI (2011-)

It is the first version of SLK-class vehicle with diesel engine. Ordering of SLK 250 CDI began on 13 September 2011. Early models include 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission, followed by six-speed manual transmission models in the second quarter of 2012. A BlueEFFICIENCY version of the SLK 250 CDI with 6-speed manual transmission was added to the range in the spring of 2012.[6] SLK 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY with 7-speed automatic transmission is sold in Germany and the UK.The dimensions of the car is : Length: 4,134 mm (163 in), Width: 1,817 mm (72 in), Height: 1,303 mm (51 in), Wheelbase: 2,430 mm (96 in).

SLK 55 AMG (2012-2015)

The SLK 55 AMG was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show,[7] and went on sale in January 2012.[8][9]

It is powered by the M152 engine, rated at 421 PS (310 kW; 415 hp) at 6,800 rpm and 540 N⋅m (398 lb⋅ft) at 4,500 rpm, and equipped with AMG cylinder management, start/stop function, sports exhaust system with integrated exhaust flaps, AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission, AMG sports suspension with torque vectoring brakes and AMG direct-steer system, 3-stage ESP, ventilated and perforated brake discs on all wheels with 360 x 36 mm front and 330 x 22 mm rear brake discs.

Equipment

The third generation continues with the two-piece metal folding roof known as a Vario Roof, which includes a choice of a roof painted in the vehicle colour, a panoramic vario-roof with dark-tinted windows, or the panoramic vario-roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL, which contains glass roof that can be switched to light or dark.

Engines

Petrol engines

Model	Years	Type	Power at rpm	Torque at rpm
SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY	2011-2015	1,796 cc (110 cu in) I4 turbo (M271 DE 18 LA)	184 PS (135 kW; 181 hp) at 5,250	250 N⋅m (184 lb⋅ft) at 1,800-4,600
SLC 200	2015-2020	1,991 cc (121 cu in) I4 turbo (M274 DE 20 LA)	184 PS (135 kW; 181 hp) at 5,250	300 N⋅m (221 lb⋅ft) at 1,200-4,000
SLK 250 BlueEFFICIENCY	2011-2015	1,796 cc (110 cu in) I4 turbo (M271 DE 18 LA)	204 PS (150 kW; 201 hp) at 5,500	310 N⋅m (229 lb⋅ft) at 2,000-4,300
SLC 300	2015-2020	1,991 cc (121 cu in) I4 turbo (M274 DE 20 LA)	245 PS (180 kW; 242 hp) at 5,500	370 N⋅m (273 lb⋅ft) at 1,300-4,000
SLK 350 BlueEFFICIENCY	2011-2015	3,498 cc (213 cu in) V6 (M276 DE 35)	306 PS (225 kW; 302 hp) at 6,500	370 N⋅m (273 lb⋅ft) at 3,500-5,250
SLK 55 AMG	2012-2015	5,461 cc (333 cu in) V8 (M152 DE 55)	421 PS (310 kW; 415 hp) at 6,800	540 N⋅m (398 lb⋅ft) at 4,500

Diesel engines

Model	Years	Type	Power at rpm	Torque at rpm
SLK 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY	2012-	2,143 cc (131 cu in) 16V I4 2-stage turbo (OM651 DE 22 LA)	204 PS (150 kW; 201 hp) at 4,200	500 N⋅m (369 lb⋅ft) at 1,600-1,800

ECO start/stop is included for all engine models.[10]

Transmissions

Petrol engines

Model	Years	Types
SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY	2011-2015	6-speed manual, 7-speed automatic (7G-TRONIC PLUS)
SLK 200	2015-	6-speed manual, 9-speed automatic (9G-TRONIC)
SLK 250 BlueEFFICIENCY	2011-	6-speed manual, 7-speed automatic (7G-TRONIC PLUS)
SLK 350 BlueEFFICIENCY	2011-	7-speed automatic (7G-TRONIC PLUS)
SLK 55 AMG	2012-	7-speed automatic (AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS)

Diesel engines

Model	Years	Types
SLK 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY	2012-	6-speed manual, 7-speed automatic (7G-TRONIC PLUS)

Performance

Model	Years	0-100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration (second)	Top speed	Emissions CO 2
SLK 200	2011–	7.3	239 km/h (149 mph)	158 g/km
SLK 250 CDI automatic	2011–	6.7	243 km/h (151 mph)	132 g/km
SLK 250 automatic	2011–	6.6	243 km/h (151 mph)	153 g/km
SLK 350 automatic	2011–	5.6	249 km/h (155 mph) (electronically limited)	167 g/km
SLK 55 AMG automatic	2012–	4.1[11]	280 km/h (170 mph) (electronically limited)	195 g/km

Facelift (SLC-Class)

In December 2015 Mercedes presented to the press the new version named SLC-Class, announcing a March 2016 launch date to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the original SLK.[12]

Mercedes-Benz SLC (2016)

SLC 300 Final Edition

• SLC 180 4 cylinders, 1.6L turbo, 156 PS, 250 Nm, 5,6 l/100 km, 127 g CO2/km, 0–100 km/h in 7.9 s, 226 km/h
• SLC 200 4 cylinders, 2.0L turbo, 184 PS, 300 Nm, 5,7 l/100 km, 133 g/km, 0–100 km/h in 7.0s, 240 km/h
• SLC 300 4 cylinders, 2.0L turbo, 245 PS, 370 Nm, 5,8 l/100 km, 134 g/km, 0–100 km/h in 5.8s, 250 km/h
• AMG SLC 43 V6, 3.0L biturbo, 367 PS, 520 Nm, 7,8 l/100 km, 178 g/km, 0–100 km/h in 4.7s, 250 km/h (0-60 mph in 4.6s)
• SLC 250d 4 cylinders, 2.1L turbodiesel 204 PS, 4,4 l/100 km, 114 g/km, 0–100 km/h in 6.6s, 245 km/h[12][13][14][15][16]

All versions have as standard the 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox, except for the 180 and 200 in which a manual 6-speed gearbox is standard,[17] although the automatic is available in option. [18]

References

1. "2015 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 2dr Roadster SLK350 Specs". cars.usnews.com. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
2. Michael Harley (3 February 2011). "2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK Roadster unwrapped in Stuttgart". Autoblog.
3. "Geneva motor show 2011 - Mercedes-Benz SLK". What Car?. 28 February 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
4. "Car and Driver January 2011". Caranddriver.com. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
5. "The new Mercedes-Benz SLK Roadster: Passion meets efficiency - Daimler Global Media Site > Brands & Products > Mercedes-Benz Cars > Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars > SLK > as of 2011". daimler.com. 16 February 2011.
6. "The latest on the C- and E-Class and the SLK: Bestsellers on top form - Daimler Global Media Site > Brands & Products > Mercedes-Benz Cars > Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars > C-Class > Sedan > Previous Model > 2011-2013". daimler.com. 27 March 2014.
7. "Mercedes-Benz details new variable-displacement V8 for SLK55 AMG". Autoblog. 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2011-07-24.
8. "The new SLK 55 AMG: Top marks in all disciplines - Daimler Global Media Site > Brands & Products > Mercedes-Benz Cars > Mercedes-AMG > SLK > as of 2011". daimler.com. 7 October 2014.
9. "2012 Mercedes Benz SLK 55 AMG". AUSmotive.com. Retrieved 2011-08-22.
10. "Autocar 13 January 2011". Autocar.co.uk. 2011-03-01. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
11. K.C. COLWELL. "2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG". caranddriver.com.
12. "Salon Detroit 2016 : Mercedes SLC". turbo.fr.
13. "The new SLC: New name, new dynamic". Daimler-Benz. Archived from the original on 2016-04-14. Retrieved 2017-10-14.
14. "Mercedes SLC revealed". telegraph.co.uk.
15. "Goodbye SLK, hello new Mercedes SLC roadster!". jbrcapital.com.
16. "Mercedes SLC more than just a name change". ctvnews.ca.
17. "Mercedes SLC, la nouvelle mouture du SLK". lefigaro.fr.
18. "Mercedes SLC : adieu SLK". autonews.fr.

External links

Press kit:

• The new Mercedes-Benz SLK: Passion meets efficiency
• The new SLK 55 AMG: Top marks in all disciplines