This photo could well be the last spy picture featuring the upcoming E-Klasse W212, because now everything is certain:the brand new Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse Limousine will be officially revealed on the 10th of January 2009. Can't wait for the first 'leaks' to take place!Source:MOTOR-TALK
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For an easy reach of all the articles related to the "The History of the SLK-Class" subject, we've compiled all the links heading to them in one single post. Roll down and start reading. Enjoy!1. The History of the SLK-Class - PART I
2. The History of the SLK-Class - PART II
3. The History of the SLK-Class - PART III
4. The History of the SLK-Class - PART IV
5. The History of the SLK-Class - PART V
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OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Stuttgart, Germany, Apr 07, 2004
Mercedes-Benz 190 SL and SLK-Class: Compact, innovative and easy on the eye
* 190 SL: dream car of the fifties
* SLK-Class: roadster exhilaration since 1996
Maximilian Edwin Hoffman spent hours trying to persuade the Daimler-Benz Board of Management to build a reasonably priced sports car for the American market. When he finally obtained the go-ahead from the then Director General Dr. Fritz Könecke, the elegant American still felt he had lost out. This was due to the proposal from Development chief Dr. Fritz Nallinger recommending that the small sports car Hoffman wanted to build should be constructed on the platform of the 180 Saloon. Hoffman’s immediate rejoinder was to the effect of “That’s not going to come to anything.”
Later, the car buff good-naturedly conceded: “I lost - the outcome was the 190 SL.”
The notable Board meeting in Stuttgart, viewed as the session which gave birth to the famous 190 SL, took place on September 2, 1953. The people responsible for the business had invited Max Hoffman because the entrepreneurial American had been importing European cars to the USA ever since 1946 and had demonstrated an unfailing instinct and a considerable level of prescience. He was therefore the right person to partner Mercedes-Benz when it came to penetrating the American market.
Mercedes-Benz 190 SL: the dream car of the Fifties
The 190 SL, whose prospects of success were rated so low by its overseas godfather after what had for him been a disappointing meeting with the Board of Management was, together with the legendary gull-wing 300 SL, to throw open the doors of the American market to the world’s oldest automotive brand. With this in mind, Hoffman was promised the 300 SL for the “International Motor Sports Show” in New York, held from February 6 to 14, 1954. And its baby brother, the 190 SL, was to make its debut alongside it. The intention was to win the hearts and minds of the American public with an elegant sports car from a renowned company - one which combined an exciting design with a modest price tag.
This of course meant that the engineers were left with no more than five months to develop this car, an almost impossible challenge. Nonetheless, by as early as September 5, 1953, Dr. Nallinger, his Head of Design Dr. Hans Scherenberg and the Sindelfingen coachwork specialists Walter Häcker and Karl Wilfert had defined the vehicle in outline. And just two weeks after the meeting with Hoffman, the directors at Daimler-Benz were already examining initial draft designs for the new car. Two weeks later, they met to evaluate the first 1:10 scale model and eight weeks after that, the first 1:1 model was ready for their inspection.
Then the already breathtaking pace of development actually increased. The floor assembly of the 180 model had to be adapted to suit the new design notions and the right engine had to be found. The tight schedule also meant that the shapes for the wooden blocks which would eventually give rise to the body of this car needed to be in final form no later than October 31, 1953. Faced with this time pressure, it was ul-timately to be Walter Häcker who made the decisive changes to the draft designs for the body shape, culminating in the unmistakable character of the 190 SL.
While the designers were working flat out and with great enthusiasm on the new sports car, the Board of Management were giving fundamental thought to the future model policy. One of the reports from these Board meetings consequently states that the 190 SL should be viewed as a sports tourer rather than as a racing sports car.
It also became evident that the 300 SL and the 190 SL, still referred to in-house at that time as the “Type 180 sports car, W 120 or W 121”, were genuinely breaking new ground. On January 18, 1954, Dr. Fritz Nallinger stressed that in addition to the conventional lines and radiator grille design of the brand, the SL version should be given a unique and distinctive identity, characterised primarily by the design of the radiator grille. This concept has stood the test of time and still applies today.
The only people to be left slightly behind by the rapid pace of development were the finance specialists. How were they to work out the production costs of a new sports car when new details were being altered almost every day? In the end, they simply based their figures on those of the 190 Saloon. It is difficult to tell whether this was a courageous step or one prompted by desperation. Either way, it was a rather nebulous basis calculation since the Mercedes-Benz 190 was not launched until 1956.
Double premiere in New York
Finally, on February 6, 1954, the New Yorkers enthusiastically responded to the arrival of the 190 SL with their hallmark exuberance and style. The German journal “Automobil + Motorrad Chronik” reported a “turbulent debut”. Other newspapers and magazines also marvelled at the chic sports car from Stuttgart and informed their readers of the new “Star in the Automotive Firmament”, heaping praise on its “refined elegance”. Another German journal, “Motorrundschau” then encapsulated what many people were by then thinking of the 190 SL: “A tantalising dream for the thousands of people for whom the 300 SL would always be unattainable.”
Nevertheless, for an initial period, the younger brother of the motor racing star remained no less elusive for the buying public because the 190 SL, after causing such a sensation, was simply not put on the market – not immediately anyway. The designers were still being vociferous about a range of weaknesses: in their eyes, the car still did not have quite the right look and the new engine, later used in the Saloon version of this model, still behaved in a rather idiosyncratic manner. All in all, there was no hiding from the fact that the rapid pace of development had left no time for thorough trials and test cycles. Under no circumstances was Mercedes-Benz willing to dispense with this rigorous approach to a new product.
The engineers thus set about teaching their engine better manners. They experimented with various carburetor configurations, modified the shift lever configuration, and the body first exhibited in New York was also subjected to a number of refinements. This process did away with the stylised air intake on the bonnet, the front edge of the bonnet was offset towards the windscreen, the bumpers, turn signals and tail lights were modified and the familiar “comet tail” bulges above the wheel arches on the SL models also appeared above the rear wheels of the modified 190 SL. This final version was first unveiled to an admiring public at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1955. Volume production started in May 1955, once the vehicle had completed all its technical trials and was deemed fit and ready for life on the open road.
At this point, the 190 SL appeared on a stage where, at least during its early days in Germany, it looked somewhat out of place. Back in 1955, road traffic was still dominated by two-wheeled forms of transport. Most Germans would not have dared to dream of ever owning more than the tiniest of cars – frequently no more than a modified motorcycle with stabilisers. On the other hand, the stress and worry of finding somewhere to park were still completely unknown - at this time, a total of 1.6 million cars shared a road network some 129 238 kilometres in length, of which 2174 kilo-metres were motorway. Nowadays, although the number of kilometres on the road network has almost doubled, with a five-fold increase in the length of motorway sections, the roads in Germany have to carry almost 45 million passenger cars.
Back then, dreams were therefore not in any way discouraged although life tended to teach modesty in such aspirations. Moreover, while the prices charged back in the mid-Fifties may now seem utopian when judged by modern standards, the average cost of a loaf of bread was 66 pfennigs, a man’s suit cost just DM 116 and a visit to the barber’s shop cost just DM 1.32. You must however bear in mind that the gross hourly wage for men in industrial jobs was just DM 1.96, with women only actually earning DM 1.23. In those days, it was usual to work Saturdays and the typical working week amounted to 48.8 hours.
The year which gave birth to the Mercedes-Benz 190 SL also saw the partition of Germany, when the two German states gained separate autonomy. At the same time, when the Warsaw Pact was established, the political temperature between East and West dropped well below zero – the Cold War induced fear in a great many people.
Despite all this, there was still optimism in the air. The first indistinct signs of the economic miracle were starting to emerge in West Germany, prompting the much aspired for upturn in fortunes. The shortage of workers prompted thoughts of turning to Italy as an initial source of migrant workers. At the same time, Italy became the dream destination for holiday travel.
The German population at large was certainly looking for something new to entertain and distract them. Although West Germany only had 375,903 privately owned televisions back in 1955, people did go to the cinema to see films like “The Devil’s General” or “Rebel Without a Cause”. American rock’n’ roll swept across Europe like a tidal wave and colour returned to everyday life. The arrival of the 190 SL was perfectly timed, heralding as it did a new joie de vivre – an end to the drab greyness of the grim postwar years.
While the front pages of newspapers were reporting on the worldwide fight against polio with the new “Salk” vaccine, the sports pages were enthusing about the race-track successes of Mercedes-Benz cars. They swept to victory in the Grand Prix events in Belgium, Great Britain, the Netherlands and in Argentina. Mercedes driver Juan Manuel Fangio became World Champion. The cars with the star emblem also dominated all of the world’s most gruelling long-distance races – the Mille Miglia, the Targa Florio and the Tourist Trophy.
A car for the heart
Meanwhile, the journals and magazines were busy discussing the 190 SL. “Auto Mo-tor und Sport” considered it to be an “elegant, fast sports tourer which can also be used as a perfectly normal car for everyday use,” describing it as a car with “above-average roadholding”. The same publication also went on to say that the 190 SL “was renowned for the fact that it just keeps on going.” It also praised the soft top, claiming that it was “made to a quality standard that, outside Sindelfingen, could only be matched in a very few locations in the world. The rapid and convenient operation re-quired to raise and lower the convertible roof is a major benefit of the 190 SL.”
This had an almost prophetic ring to it. At the time, no-one even imagined just how important a role this feature would come to play in the success of the SLK-Class.
“Das Automobil” struck an even more enthusiastic note. “You can only own a car like this whole-heartedly – it casts a spell on its owner” was the accolade it bestowed. This was followed by a scarcely less remarkable confession: “I was able to feel for myself how much this car enhanced my personal standing, not only with hotel porters and ladies young and old. When you acquire this car, you are purchasing more than a means of transport. You are also acquiring recognition and, over and above the value of actually using the car, you also gain the kind of good fortune that fills the child who resides in every man with delight.”
Other publications tended to focus their attention more on technical details. One such journal, the “Automobil Revue”, advised its readers: “in terms of road safety, the 190 SL is one of the very finest cars in production at this time.” Then we have “Sports-Cars Illustrated” which listed a long string of positive qualities of the Mercedes-Benz 190 SL in a sober, factual manner: “The synchromesh works every time and the transmission is idiot-proof. You can drive economically if you so wish.” At this point, the author of “Sports-Cars Illustrated” finally gave way to enthusiasm and confessed: “Where the 190 SL chassis really shines is when cornering and when driving in a straight line at high speeds. This is more than just a pleasure, it is actually a character building experience.”
Based on proven technology
Unlike the gull-wing 300 SL, the 190 SL was not of course designed as a thorough-bred sports car. Instead, it was conceived as an elegant two-seater sports coupé for touring and everyday driving. The chassis platform was borrowed from the short-wheelbase floor assembly of the 180 model with its familiar single-joint swing axle with a lowered fulcrum point. The front suspension with its subframe concept was derived from the 180/180 D models.
The 190 SL was powered by a newly developed four-cylinder 1.9-litre engine with overhead camshaft which was capable of delivering 105 hp. Depending on road conditions, this meant the car could achieve road speeds substantially in excess of 170 km/h and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (approx. 0-60 mph) in about 14 seconds.
The 190 SL was available as a soft-top roadster or as a coupé with removable hard-top with the additional option of a soft-top as well. Other items of optional equipment included a sports version for motor racing, featuring lighter doors with a cutout for the arm, stripped away bumpers and a small Plexiglas windshield in front of the driver instead of a windscreen. However, the Oberste Nationale Sportkommission (ONS or Governing National Sports Committee) refused to approve this sports version which was therefore withdrawn in March 1956.
Although this marked the end of any possible motorsport career for the 190 SL in Europe, it nevertheless came second at the 1956 Grand Prix in the Portuguese colony of Mação and was awarded Best in Class. In 1958 it went on to victory in its class of the Hong Kong Rally. The sporting career of the 190 SL was not even halted in 1961 when it was equipped with a diesel engine, going on as it did to break many records for diesel-engined cars.
Having said all that, the 190 SL garnered even more success on elegant city streets than it did on the race track. A broad range of prominent social figures chose this elegant sports car to complement their image, including Grace Kelly and Frank Sinatra who drove a 190 SL in the film “Ten Thousand Bedrooms”.
The Mercedes-Benz 190 SL remained in production until 1963. Many detail modifications helped to define its curriculum vitae. These included the chrome trim strips on the upper edges of the doors and large tail lights chosen for the 1956 model. From July 1957 the bumper overriders on the US version became standard equipment on all models, and in October 1959 the Coupé versions were fitted with a new hardtop with an enlarged rear window.
The clearest indication of just how much loved and successful the 190 SL was is demonstrated by the production figures: between May 1955 and February 1963, no less than 25,881 cars left the assembly lines in Sindelfingen – far in excess of the aspirations initially discussed at that decisive Board meeting back on 2 September 1953.
SLK-Class: two studies pave the way for a new roadster star
Against this historical backdrop, it seemed only logical some decades later to revisit these considerations: would it not perhaps be appropriate for the SL-Class models, now firmly established in their own right, to be joined by a younger brother? After all, in the mid-Nineties, Mercedes-Benz had launched an entirely new product initiative, to which a compact roadster could lend fresh emphasis by drawing attention to the sporting heart of the Mercedes-Benz brand.
An appropriate acronym for this newcomer was swiftly coined: SLK. These three letters form the German initials for three characteristic properties of this car: sporty, lightweight and [k]compact. Recalling as they do the great sporting successes of Mercedes-Benz back in the Twenties and Thirties, they have an almost mystical resonance.
In Turin in April 1994, roadster enthusiasts were able to gain a first glimpse of how Mercedes-Benz believed a compact modern roadster should look. A brilliant silver showstopper with a distinct aura of spartan sportiness sent the trade professionals into raptures. “We are exhibiting a forward-looking roadster study which delivers a unique synthesis of purist motoring pleasure with all the safety features for which Mercedes cars are renowned”, announced the famous car manufacturer from Stuttgart.
To find out just how seriously the people in charge at Mercedes-Benz were taking this SLK project in its earliest days, you need look no further than the Paris Motor Show held in September of the same year. Here the company unveiled its second study, this time with vario-roof and in the form of a customised version with blue paintwork, harmonising blue-tone leather and a range of luxury accessories such as automatic transmission, air-conditioning system, power windows, a stereo system and much more besides. This enabled Mercedes-Benz to demonstrate convincingly the breadth of appeal and the potential inherent in a compact roadster.
Then the automotive enthusiasts started to wait. Many viewed the SLK as a very aus-picious prospect indeed. Mercedes-Benz had done the unexpected and had demon-strated that a small and relatively inexpensive roadster was capable of offering a great deal of motoring pleasure while still being an absolutely serious and down-to-earth car in terms of safety and quality. This meant that the two roadster studies had already opened up a new market niche and the SLK had already assumed the status of a trendsetter even before it went into production.
By 1996 everything was in place: the production version of the new SLK-Class was launched at the Turin Motor Show. Especially high levels of interest were shown in the fully-lowering steel vario-roof which substantively backed up the SLK claim to being a car for all weathers. Using an intelligent electro-hydraulic system, the entire roof folds down into the boot in just 25 seconds leaving the owner free to roam under an open sky.
The SLK also fielded a convincing range of other qualities. Take safety for example: two fixed roll-over bars behind the seats protect occupants from injury if the car should overturn and, in conjunction with the exceptionally robust A-pillars, deliver a very high level of safety even when these Mercedes-Benz cars are driven with the top down. Board of Management member Professor Jürgen Hubbert summarised what distinguishes the SLK: “Its design is exciting, and it exudes an appealing charisma. In a car like this, the journey is an end in itself.”
Is this excessive praise? No, far from it: the trade press actually went even further with its accolades. “Auto, Motor und Sport” found that the “bright and breezy compact roadster” with its “muscular lines” made everyone’s “mouth water”. Then, prior to the September market launch, when Mercedes-Benz had to announce with regret that the 1997 production run was already sold out, the specialist journal judged this “to be really tough news.” It then went on appeasingly to state “this one is worth waiting for.”
Even the road manners of the compact roadster met with recognition: “As a coupé the SLK behaves just as impeccably as it does in roadster guise. The high standard of rigidity it exhibits exceeds even optimistic expectations. It steers responsively and demonstrates high precision on winding country roads.”
Engines from 136 to 354 hp
The sporting talent of the SLK will initially be unleashed by two engine variants: the SLK 200 is powered by a 2-litre four-cylinder engine with a power rating of 100 kW/136 hp. The SLK 230 KOMPRESSOR features a supercharged 2.3 litre engine, also a four-cylinder unit, delivering 142 kW/193 hp onto the road. In early 2000, the two-litre engine was also fitted with a belt-driven supercharger, boosting power to the rear axle to a new level of 120 kW/163 hp. The choice of engines was broadened by the arrival of two six-cylinder models, a 160 kW/218 hp unit for the SLK 320 and the 260 kW/354 hp powerhorse in the SLK 32 AMG.
Moreover, Mercedes-Benz substantially upgraded the level of equipment for its roadster and incorporated innovations such as the Electronic Stability Program (ESP®), a six-speed manual transmission and SPEEDTRONIC in its standard equipment package. In visual terms, a new design of bumper and side skirt gave the car an even more dynamic appearance. All the attachments and door handles were painted to match the vehicle body to enable the whole car to present an image of a unified whole in both colour and form. New tail lights, stainless steel trim on the exhaust tailpipe and a painted radiator grille gave the SLK design an even more commanding identity.
With its SLK-Class, Mercedes-Benz succeeded in developing a car which really exudes an air of freedom, independence and adventure. A car for the emotions. An attractive roadster with a strong character promising untrammelled joie de vivre to its owners. More than 40 international prizes and awards bear testament to the tremendous popularity of this compact roadster, a car recognised in its class as a real trendsetter and one whose technology, design and level of equipment satisfies the most demanding of aspirations:
- In 1996 Italian artists and art critics hailed the SLK as the “most beautiful car in the world”. The British “Car Magazine” praised the Mercedes roadster as the “Best technical concept” and “Bild am Sonntag” awarded it the “Golden Steering Wheel”.
- In 1997 alone, the SLK harvested no less than 20 international awards. These included the title “Best of What’s New” from the American magazine “Popular Science” and the title “Import Car of The Year” from the Japanese automotive press.
In 1998 the “American Marketing Association” declared the SLK to be the “Best New Product” and the readers of the German magazine “Auto, Motor und Sport” voted the Mercedes roadster the “Best Convertible”.
- In 1999, or almost three years since its market launch, the SLK was still winning highly prized titles: “Best Convertible”, “Best Gear 1999” and the German award of “Most Popular Convertible” to name but three.
Even the real optimists at Mercedes-Benz had not anticipated the incredibly high popularity rating of the SLK series. In the early days, the maximum annual production target was assumed to be in the region of 35,000 units, but even in 1997, almost 50,000 SLK models rolled off the assembly line. As a result, virtually one in three of all compact roadsters sold worldwide that year bore the letters SLK on the back. By the end of its time in production, more than 308,000 people had taken ownership of a new SLK Roadster.
The new SLK-Class aims to follow this successful lead, and production commences in early 2004. This new roadster will be even sportier, even more dynamic and will offer even greater levels of motoring pleasure. In doing so, it looks sure to satisfy the continually rising aspirations of drivers to own a car genuinely capable of inspiring the emotions.
The history of a model: Mercedes-Benz 190 SL
* In March 1956 wide chrome trim strips were fitted to the upper edges of the doors.
In June 1956 the 190 SL was fitted with the tail lights from models 220 a, 219 and 220 S.
* In July 1957 the rear licence plate lighting was relocated to the overriders on the bumper, therefore removing the last obstacle to fitting the innovative wider license plates. At this point rear bumper overriders, until then only fitted to the USA version, became standard equipment on all models. They remained as optional equipment for the front section.
* In October 1959 the Coupés were fitted with a new hardtop with an enlarged rear window, guaranteeing substantial improvements in visibility.
* In August 1960 the lock on the boot lid was modified; at the same time, a new shell-shaped boot handle was fitted, familiar from the 180 Db - 190 b models, to replace the bracket used until this point.
The history of a model: Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class
* In early 2000 the SLK-Class underwent an extensive model update featuring a new design of bumper. Other new features included the Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) as standard, sidebags in the doors, a six-speed manual transmission and the SPEEDTRONIC system. The new V6 flagship model, the SLK 320, was also fitted with an air conditioning system as standard equipment.
* At the Geneva Motor Show in March 2001, Mercedes-Benz exhibited the high-performance SLK 32 AMG. Its bonnet conceals a supercharged V6 engine delivering 260 kW/354 hp.
* In March 2003 the special “Final Edition” model was unveiled. This featured 16-inch light-alloy wheels, a nappa leather interior and chrome silver trim around the radiator grille.
2004: more power, more safety, more driving pleasure
The new SLK-Class which will make its market debut in spring 2004 aims to follow in this successful tradition. The new Roadster will be even sportier, even more dynamic and will offer even greater levels of motoring pleasure. In doing so, it looks sure to satisfy the continually rising aspirations of drivers who want to own a car that inspires the emotions.
The second generation of the SLK-Class has an even sportier edge in terms of both its design and engineering and, with its powerful engines, newly developed chassis, direct steering and precise six-speed manual transmission, delivers an even more agile driving experience. The body is 72 millimetres longer and 65 millimetres wider than the outgoing model, providing the SLK's passengers with more space and even greater comfort.
The SLK-Class offers a choice of three new engines, with outputs ranging from 120 kW/163 hp to 265 kW/360 hp. They include – for the first time in this class – an eight-cylinder Mercedes-AMG unit, while the SLK 350 is powered by a new 200 kW/272 hp V6 engine which combines driving pleasure with performance.
Once again the second-generation SLK is strong on charismatic design, which takes some cues from Formula 1 motor racing. And it more than lives up to its reputation as the trend-setter and technology leader among the sports cars in its class. Standard specification includes a new-generation vario-roof which transforms this Roadster into a coupé in 22 seconds flat, head-thorax sidebags, adaptive front air-bags and two-stage belt force limiters. The Mercedes engineers have also added even more sports refinement to the suspension, steering and manual transmission.
As a world first, Mercedes-Benz is offering the SLK with the AIRSCARF neck-level heating system, which at the touch of a button directs a flow of warm air to the neck from vents in the head restraints. This means the SLK's occupants can enjoy open-air motoring all the year round.
Styling themes from Formula 1
The styling of the new SLK-Class immediately advertises its sporty and more powerful character. Typical roadster features like the long bonnet, steeply raked front wind-screen, wide doors and short-cropped tail have been given even greater emphasis in the new models, which now feature a 30 millimetre longer wheelbase, a distinctly V-shaped front end and a wedge-shaped silhouette.
Handsome, racing-inspired features like the eye-catching nose, the radiator grille fins and the twin-pipe exhaust system are a reminder that the SLK is from a company whose great Roadster tradition stretches back exactly 50 years.
Model chronology: the compact Mercedes Roadsters
1955-1963 W 121 190 SL: four-in-line, 105 hp 25881 produced
1996-2004 R 170 SLK 200 (1996-2000 ): four-in-line, 136 hp
SLK 200 KOMPRESSOR (2000-2004): four-in-line, 163 hp
SLK 230 KOMPRESSOR (1996-2000): four-in-line, 193 hp
SLK 230 KOMPRESSOR (2000-2004): four-in-line, 197 hp
SLK 320 (2000-2004): V6, 218 hp
SL 32 AMG (2001-2004): V6, 354 hp
308000 produced
from 2004 R 171 SLK 200 KOMPRESSOR: four-in-line, 163 hp
SLK 350: V6, 272 hp
SLK 55 AMG: V8, 360 hp
Copyright © 2009, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
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OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Stuttgart, Germany, Dec 21, 2007
The Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Roadsters have long captured the hearts of sports car enthusiasts. Incorporating around 650 newly developed parts, the SLK models of 2008 are even more dynamic and now offer an even more emotionally charged driving experience. Key visual enhancements include new-look front and rear sections as well as a meticulously modified interior with a new instrument cluster and three-spoke sports steering wheel. A fast-running V6 sports engine developing 224 kW/305 hp and an optionally available direct-steer system truly bring the bold, dynamic character of the two-seater SLK 350 to the fore. Furthermore, all of the engines in the line-up are now far more economical on fuel and, therefore, emit even less CO2, despite a substantial increase in output in many cases. The new-generation SLK models will be available from April 2008, costing between € 36,503.25 and € 69,049.75 incl. VAT.
Since their first appearance in 1996, the compact SLK Roadsters have come to symbolise Mercedes-Benz' dynamic brand image. Already a familiar sight on our roads, the second-generation two-seater is to be further enhanced with the implementation of a raft of measures in 2008, the aim being to further emphasise the car's sporty character and continue the SLK-Class success story by introducing new, dynamic, powerful elements. Some 310,000 first-generation roadster models were sold between 1996 and 2004. And around 185,000 customers – some 60,000 of them in Germanyalone – have already purchased the second-generation model since its launch in March 2004 (figures at year-end 2007). This means that total unit sales of the SLK Roadster are now approaching the half-million mark.
The new-generation SLK displays new sporty highlights, further enhancing the appeal of the successful two-seater with the trendsetting vario-roof that transforms the car from a roadster into a weatherproof coupé in a matter of seconds.
Distinctive character: even more pronounced arrow shape at the front end and a diffuser-style rear end
The designers have given the already dynamic-looking two-seater cult model an even sportier appearance. Eye-catching features include the new-look front bumper with a modified air-dam arrangement and a more pronounced arrow shape. Plus the area around the Mercedes star has been restyled to render it even more succinct. In addition, the designers have modified the rear end by introducing a diffuser-style lower section that makes the Roadster appear more powerful when viewed from behind – an effect that is enhanced considerably by the trapezoidal exhaust tailpipes and the AMG-inspired darkened tail lights. The now larger exterior mirrors feature LED indicators with a pronounced arrow shape, while the range of light-alloy wheels is also almost entirely new.
High-quality cockpit and new three-spoke sports steering wheel
Many of the interior details have also been redesigned and upgraded following a careful process of material selection. Particular importance was attached to optimising the interior so as to make it even more driver-oriented. Centrepieces include a new three-spoke sports steering wheel with multifunction buttons and a new instrument cluster with captivating dial surrounds.
New "gullwing red" leather appointments will be available – reminiscent of the interior appointments in the legendary 300 SL gullwing model. Further new additions include nappa leather appointments in "natural beige", which complement the new "pale burr walnut" and "black ash grain" wood trims perfectly.
Enhanced audio and telematics systems
Mercedes-Benz is installing the new NTG 2.5 audio and telematics generation in the SLK for the first time. It is easier to operate and offers an even wider range of useful functions. Standard features integrated in every radio include a hands-free system with Bluetooth technology. Optional available is a new media interface in the glove compartment, allowing the full integration of mobile audio devices such as an iPod, which can then be operated via the audio system's user interface.
Together with the new telematics generation, Mercedes-Benz is also offering the LINGUATRONIC voice-operated control system as an optional extra in the SLK-Class for the first time.
Voluminous surround sound even when the roof is open
Passengers can enjoy a unique listening experience, regardless of whether the vario-roof is open or closed, thanks to the optionally available harman kardon® Logic7® sound system. Rich and voluminous surround sound makes for crystal-clear listening pleasure, the like of which has never before been associated with a roadster.
Fast-running sports engine: higher output and much lower fuel consumption
The sporty credentials of the 2008 SLK generation are further enhanced by three modified powerplants that consume less fuel and, therefore, emit less CO2. The four-cylinder powerplant in the SLK 200 Kompressor and the six-cylinder sports engine in the SLK 350 both offer substantially more power and torque. Only the SLK 55 AMG retains its familiar engine – an eight-cylinder unit that has lost none of its mesmerising performance capability and remains a unique selling point in the SLK segment.
The Mercedes-Benz engineers paid special attention to the fast-running V6 sports engine that makes its debut in the new-generation SLK, totally altering the six-cylinder unit's character by making sweeping changes to the mechanical setup. Although the displacement remains the same at 3498 cc, the engine now develops 224 kW/305 hp at 6500 rpm – some 24 kW (33 hp) more than its predecessor. The peak torque has also been boosted, by 10 Nm, and now stands at 360 Nm when the engine is running at 4900 rpm.
This result was achieved by raising the engine speed limit to 6800 rpm; it can even be increased to 7200 rpm for a brief period – oil temperature and other engine parameters permitting. Other changes introduced include a higher compression ratio, a new intake manifold and an extensively modified valve train.
Further aspects which add to the emotionally charged appeal of the new engine include deliberately powerful sports-engine acoustics with a strikingly emotive sound design when decelerating. In combination with the 7G‑TRONIC automatic transmission, the engine management system also blips the throttle automatically during downshifts. As well as producing an extremely sporty sound, this throttle-blipping function reduces load alteration effects.
Despite the higher output and high-calibre performance, the SLK 350 consumes considerably less fuel. With the six-speed manual transmission on board, combined fuel consumption is just 9.5 litres per 100 km, a remarkable reduction of 1.1 litres per 100 km; if the 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission is fitted, the sports powerplant returns a combined fuel consumption of just 9.2 litres per 100 km – an improvement of 0.9 litres compared to its predecessor. Lower fuel consumption means that CO2 emissions are also reduced – by 23 g/km to 219 g/km in the automatic version and by 28 g/km to 227 g/km in the manual version.
Three further engines to choose from
The engine line-up for the second generation of the successful SLK-Class is being augmented by three further variants:
- The output of the four-cylinder supercharged engine has been boosted by
15 kW/21 hp (to 135 kW/184 hp), while its torque has been increased from 240 to 250 Nm. Combined fuel consumption has been cut by 1.0 litres to 7.7 litres per 100 km whilst CO2 emissions have been reduced by 27 g/km to 182 g/km.
- The SLK 280 has also been further improved with respect to fuel economy and, therefore, CO2 emissions. Fuel consumption has been cut by 0.4 litres to 9.3 litres per 100 km (if an automatic transmission is fitted, the figure is
0.2 litres lower at 9.1 litres per 100 km), while CO2 emissions have been reduced by 11 g to 220 g/km (if an automatic transmission is fitted, the figure is 6 g lower at 216 g/km).
- The SLK 55 AMG is still equipped with the familiar 5.5-litre V8 powerplant developing 265 kW/360 hp and a peak torque of 510 Nm.
Standard equipment for the three new SLK models includes a precise six-speed manual gearshift, while the SLK 55 AMG still comes with the 7G‑TRONIC Sport seven-speed automatic transmission fitted as standard. Optional extras available include a five-speed automatic transmission for the SLK 200 and the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission or, alternatively, the 7G-TRONIC Sport with shift paddles on the steering wheel for the six-cylinder SLK 280 and SLK 350 models.
New direct-steer system for outstanding agility and tangible driving pleasure
A newly developed direct steering system with variable steering assistance, available as an optional extra (standard for the SLK 55 AMG), further highlights the qualities of the sporty chassis, combining agility and manoeuvrability when driving on twisting rural roads with steering comfort when parking and assured steering characteristics when travelling at high speed.
The direct- steer system is based on the previously installed speed-sensitive power steering system and operates by purely mechanical means, meaning that there is no need for elaborate actuators and complex sensors. At its heart is a new rack with slick gearing, which ensures that the steering gear ratio changes in tune with the steering angle. The ratio is indirect when the steering is in or around the central position so as to ensure excellent straight-line stability and, therefore, a high degree of assuredness when travelling at high speed. At a steering angle of just 5 degrees, the ratio starts to increase extremely rapidly and the steering feels much more direct. As a result, the number of steering wheel revolutions from lock to lock is reduced by around 25 percent if the new direct steering is fitted. This means that, even in city traffic, relatively little steering wheel movement is required to correct the car's path. Fast sequences of bends on rural roads can be negotiated almost intuitively with relatively small steering movements – with assurance, precision and a healthy dose of driving enjoyment.
Visually enhanced SLK 55 AMG
On a technical level, the SLK 55 AMG remains almost unchanged. The only differences are a few visual enhancements. The front end of the AMG model now features a new apron with a black-painted cross strut and side air outlets as well as darkened headlamps.
The trendsetting SLK
As trendsetters and technology leaders, the SLK-Class Roadsters have long enjoyed the image of a modern cult car. Even after the extensive modifications, the familiar outstanding qualities remain, for example, the vario-roof that transforms the roadster into a coupé in 22 seconds, not to mention the extensive standard-equipment package, including head/thorax sidebags, adaptive front airbags and two-stage belt-force limiters. Plus the roadster also comes with the option of the unique AIRSCARF neck-level heating system, which allows open-top driving pleasure all year round, even in winter.
Prices for the new-generation SLK:
SLK 200 KOMPRESSOR: € 36,503.25
SLK 280: € 41,858.25
SLK 350 with sports engine: € 46,975.25
SLK 55 AMG: € 69,049.75
(incl. VAT in each case)
Copyright © 2009, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
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OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Stuttgart, Germany, Sep 14, 2006
Ten years of the SLK-Class: Cult car celebrates birthday
* Model established a new high-growth market segment
* World's first sports car with vario-roof and AIRSCARF
* Unique combination of roadster driving pleasure and coupé comfort
* Market share of around 50 per cent in Germany and Western Europe
When the SLK-Class roadster appeared in Mercedes showrooms in autumn 1996, it represented nothing less than a revolution in the automotive world. Never before had the Stuttgart-based auto maker presented itself in such youthful, dy-namic and attractive form. The SLK's looks instantly announced the new brand image - and a few minutes at the wheel made it clear that the new style was un-derpinned by impressive dynamic qualities.
Few, if any, cars before it were able to capture people's hearts the way the SLK did. It showed that driving could also engage the emotions and create a sense of joie de vivre. For many people, it was a case of "love at first sight" that drove them to own this vehicle – a phenomenon which was reflected in the order books: the SLK sold out shortly after the market launch. Following a major increase in production capacity, over 48,000 SLK models rolled off the assembly line in the first full sales year -- some 50 per cent more than originally planned.
There was no looking back after this sensational start. In fact, the benefits which the compact roadster brought Mercedes-Benz were threefold: as well as being a fifth successful model series it became a symbol of the brand image with a powerful halo effect and - not least - it brought in new customers. Indeed, some 42 per cent of the drivers in Western Europe who chose the roadster were new Mercedes customers.
At the same time, the SLK-Class established a new market segment, whose volume has more than trebled over the last ten years and which now accounts for sales of some 161,000 vehicles worldwide. In 1996, only two other car brands (apart from Mercedes-Benz) offered open sports cars in the SLK mould. Today, there are already nine vendors in this vehicle class. There can be no doubt about it: the launch of the SLK-Class exactly ten years ago was the spark that triggered the explosive growth in the market for compact roadsters.
Concept cars: two design studies pave the way for the production version
Mercedes-Benz had prepared the market launch of the SLK – its fifth passenger-car model series – with great care. Two whole years before, in April 1994, the Stuttgart product planners had caused a stir at the Turin motor show with a roadster study which they had created to test out their ideas for a compact sports car and to gauge the response of the public. "We are showing a forward-looking study for a roadster offering a unique combination of driving pleasure in its purest form with characteristic Mercedes safety features", as the company's press release an-nounced at the time.
The expectations aroused by this show car were surpassed comprehensively in autumn 1994 by the second SLK study. This now featured the vario-roof and had an exclusive customised look and feel with a blue paint finish and harmonising blue-tone leather as well as comfort and convenience features which included automatic transmission, air conditioning, power windows and a stereo system. In this way, Mercedes-Benz was able to provide a convincing demonstration of the breadth of appeal and potential which can be offered by a compact roadster.
Mercedes-Benz had done the unexpected and had demonstrated to great effect that a compact roadster could offer a high degree of driving pleasure yet still be an absolutely serious and down-to-earth car in terms of safety and everyday practicality. This meant that the two roadster studies had already opened up a new market niche and the SLK had already assumed the status of a trendsetter even before it went into production. By 1996 everything was in place: the world premiere of the SLK-Class was held at the Turin motor show in the spring with the European market launch following on September 14, 1996.
Vario-roof: roadster and coupé in one
The Mercedes two-seater was the right car at the right moment. It met contempo-rary customers' needs for individuality and driving pleasure without compromise. Furthermore, it did so with the help of a whole raft of innovative technical solutions which also guaranteed characteristically high Mercedes standards of safety and comfort.
A notable example is the vario-roof: thanks to this newly developed feature, the roadster not only caused a stir, but also became a trendsetter and a model for a new generation of open-top cars. This is borne out by the fact that recent years have seen an increasing number of cabriolets and roadsters whose manufacturers have adopted this intelligent roof technology in order to offer their customers the same characteristics which set the SLK-Class apart back in 1996: open-top driving pleasure and the comfort of a coupé. Thanks to the vario-roof, both can be provided effortlessly at any time in response to the vagaries of the weather or simply on a whim of the driver.
The roof design developed by Mercedes-Benz consists of a folding steel hard top which is divided in half along an axis at right angles to the direction of travel. Both halves are linked by a kinematic mechanism which is locked securely when the roof is closed. At the touch of a button on the centre console, a hydraulic system with five cylinders controls the fully automatic folding process in which the boot lid is also integrated. It opens by tipping to the rear so that the two roof halves have sufficient freedom of movement to pivot backwards as the vario-roof opens; the roof sections then position themselves one on top of the other, and disappear into the boot. If the roof is to be closed, the same sequence of movements is performed in reverse order.
The hydraulic system stows the vario-roof in the upper section of the boot. A plastic roller blind separates it from the luggage space below, an area with a capacity of 145 litres in the first-generation SLK. With the vario-roof closed, the load volume increased to a substantial 348 litres.
Safety: at luxury-class level
The 1996 SLK-Class also impressed with other qualities, such as safety. Two fixed roll-over bars behind the seats worked with the particularly strong A-pillars to form an integrated system offering a high degree of roll-over protection. And with airbags, sidebags, belt tensioners, belt force limiters and automatic child-seat recognition, the compact roadster offered the same safety technology as the E-Class - and that was quite simply the best that was available at the time.
A look under the bonnet of the first SLK ten years ago would have revealed one or other of the proven four-cylinder engines from the C-Class. Customers could choose between a 2.3-litre supercharged engine with an output of 142 kW/193 hp and a mighty 280 Newton metres of torque or a 2-litre four-cylinder unit with 100 kW/136 hp and maximum torque of 190 Newton metres. With an NEDC com-bined fuel consumption figure of just 8.8 litres, the supercharged SLK 230 KOMPRESSOR had a maximum speed of 231 km/h and could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds. In the year 2000, as part of the model update measures, a supercharger was added to the 2.0-litre engine, too, thereby increasing its output to 120 kW/163 hp. Furthermore, the range was expanded with two six-cylinder power plants: the SLK 320 with 160 kW/218 hp and the 260-kW/354-hp SLK 32 AMG.
Model range: the first generation of the SLK-Class
1996-2000
SLK 200: 4-cyl., in-line, 100 kW/136 hp
SLK 230 KOMPRESSOR: 4-cyl., in-line, 142 kW/193 hp
2000-2004
SLK 200 KOMPRESSOR: 4-cyl., in-line, 120 kW/163 hp
SLK 230 KOMPRESSOR: 4-cyl., in-line, 145 kW/197 hp
SLK 320: V6, 160 kW/218 hp
2001-2004
SLK 32 AMG: V6, 260 kW/354 hp
"Sporty", "Light", "[K]compact" - the auto industry soon appreciated the significance of the model designation of the compact Mercedes roadster, a vehicle which has been regarded as synonymous with open-top driving enjoyment, superbly attractive styling, the highest standards of safety and technical perfection for ten years now.
It is thanks to these qualities that the SLK captured people's hearts and acquired the image of a contemporary cult car. Between 1996 and 2004, over 311,000 customers around the world chose the compelling Mercedes roadster.
The new-generation roadster: sporty design and more technological highlights
Eight years after the premiere of the first SLK, February 2004 saw the debut of the successor model which displays its sporting prowess even more distinctly than the first generation. Underpinned by more powerful engines and a sporty suspension set-up, the stronger sporting character of the new SLK-Class is also reflected by the design which picks up styling cues from contemporary racing cars and positions the two-seater even more decisively as a fully-fledged member of the Mercedes-Benz sports-car family.
The new sports roadster takes up its predecessor's role as a model and trendsetter for open-top cars with additional innovative features developed by Mercedes. Chief among these is the AIRSCARF neck-level heating system which cannot be found in any other open-top car on the market.
Available as an optional extra, the AIRSCARF system is integrated in the back-rests of the SLK's seats. A blower sucks in air from the interior of the sports car and passes it through an electric heating element rated at about 200 watts. A plastic duct then feeds the heated air to the head restraint where it is emitted by means of a special vent oriented towards the centre of the vehicle. Developed by Mercedes specialists, this system delivers warmth directly to the point of need and ensures that the driver and passenger can continue to enjoy a comfortable temperature at neck level even in winter when the cold airflow over the roadster has a significant chill factor.
Images taken with a thermographic camera show how effectively the patented AIRSCARF heating system operates when outside temperatures are low. The highly-sensitive camera makes it possible to see the different temperature zones on and around the driver, the seat backrest and parts of the interior of the SLK: the zones emitting the greatest heat radiation appear red, violet and white while the cooler ones are green or yellow. The lowest temperatures are to be found in the dark blue and black zones.
The thermogram shows clearly how effectively the heated air from the head re-straint wraps round the neck as well as the back of the head and how the warmth spreads out from these areas. Even after driving only a short distance, a pleasant temperature zone forms around the shoulders, neck and head - like a scarf of warm air. The heating element in the backrest is based on PTC (positive temperature coefficient) technology: an electric current is passed through ceramic particles which heat up in a matter of seconds and then continue to emit heat. AIRSCARF is activated at the touch of a button and adjusts itself automatically on the basis of the ambient temperature and road speed (up to 120 km/h) in order to achieve optimal distribution of the warm air in all situations. At higher speeds, the system operates at a constant setting. Three different heating settings can be set individually by means of a pushbutton control on the centre console.
Driving comfort: lowest interior noise level in a roadster thanks to vario-roof
The Mercedes engineers have also continued to develop and enhance the vario-roof for the second-generation SLK so that it now not only opens and closes even more quickly (22 seconds) but also occupies even less space in the boot of the sports car.
Measurements taken in accordance with the VDA method show that, with the roof open, the boot now has a luggage capacity of 208 litres - 63 litres more than the predecessor model. This improvement has been made possible by a new roof design in which the rear window pivots about its own axis. This allows the window to nestle next to the curved surface of the roof shell once the roof has been opened, thus restricting the capacity of the boot less than in the first-generation SLK.
As well as protecting the occupants of the SLK from the elements, the vario-roof offers significant benefits in terms of low noise levels and makes the sports car perfectly suited to long-distance motoring, too. This has been confirmed by tests carried out in the University of Stuttgart's aeroacoustics wind tunnel: the vario-roof's ability to absorb wind noise more effectively than a soft-top means that noise levels inside the SLK-Class are well below those of other roadsters.
A newly developed aeroacoustic measurement technique makes the wind noise visible on a computer display in the form of colours which vary depending on the volume (sound level) and frequency. It can be seen that the area at driver head height - a particularly critical zone as far as acoustics are concerned - appears in dark blue, indicating that it is especially quiet. The wind noise here at a road speed of 140 km/h is no more than 71 - 73 decibels (dB (A)). The sound level inside the car is just as low: 73.4 decibels was recorded at the driver's left ear and 71.2 decibels at the right ear.
There is a marked difference in the results for sports cars with a soft-top roof, with the concave-mirror measurement technique returning significantly higher wind noise readings of between 75 and 77 decibels in the aeroacoustics wind tunnel and interior noise levels of up to 79.6 dB (A) - a very noticeable increase of six decibels (compared with the SLK-Class) which effectively doubles the audible sound.
Technical highlights: a wider range of advanced features
Other technical innovations which are offered by the Mercedes roadster but are by no means universal in this vehicle class include ...
… powerful bi-xenon headlamps with cornering light function;
… LED tail lights;
… airbags which deploy in one or two stages, depending on the severity of the accident;
… large head/thorax side airbags in the seat backrests;
… paint finish with enhanced scratch resistance based on ceramic particles.
The range of engines is also unique in this market segment: in spring 2004, Mercedes-Benz became the first manufacturer to offer an eight-cylinder engine in the vehicle class. With an output of 265 kW/360 hp, the SLK 55 AMG accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds.
Customers also have a choice of two advanced six-cylinder power plants: the SLK 280 has an output of 170 kW/231 hp and offers a maximum torque of 300 Newton metres; the peak power output of the SLK 350 is 200 kW/272 hp with maximum torque of 350 Newton metres. Mercedes-Benz continues to offer the proven 120 kW/163 hp four-cylinder engine in the SLK 200 KOMPRESSOR.
7G-TRONIC, the world's only seven-speed automatic transmission is standard in the SLK 55 AMG and available as an option for the SLK 280 and SLK 350. It is also possible to specify a sportier version of the 7G-TRONIC transmission for the V6 models.
Model range: the current SLK-Class
Since 2004
SLK 200 KOMPRESSOR: 4-cyl., in-line, 120 kW/163 hp
SLK 350: V6, 200 kW/272 hp
SLK 55 AMG: V8, 265 kW/360 hp
Additionally, since 2005
SLK 280: V6, 170 kW/231 hp
Sports package: technology and design extras for even more driving pleasure
Available for the four and six-cylinder models since September 2006, the sports package which Mercedes-Benz has created for the SLK-Class is intended for drivers who wish to add even greater emphasis to the sporty and dynamic character of the compact roadster. The package includes sports suspension with 18-inch light-alloy wheels, 225/40 R 18 tyres at the front, 245/35 R 18 tyres at the rear and powerful 17-inch brakes with perforated front discs. In addition, the body of SLK models equipped with the sports package is lowered by ten millimetres.
Externally, the SLK with the sports package can be identified by headlamps with dark surrounds and an AMG airflow breakaway edge on the boot lid. Inside, red seat belts and red topstitching on the door panels, seats, leather steering wheel and the gaiter of the leather-trimmed shift/selector lever add a distinctly sporty touch. The floor mats are also edged in red and the instrument cluster features red needles. A striking contrast is provided by the black roof lining and the carbon-look trim strip above the glove compartment.
A figure that tells a success story: 460,000 SLK models in ten years
The second-generation SLK-Class is continuing the successful tradition established by its predecessor. With 60,500 vehicles built in 2005, it attained the highest annual production volume to date for this model series. Overall, Mercedes-Benz has already produced some 148,000 units of the sporty roadster since spring 2004.
With an average market share of 30 per cent, the SLK-Class is the world leader in this market segment. In Germany, the average market share of the SLK-Class is 52 per cent and the average market share of 50 per cent which it enjoys in other countries in Western Europe makes it the best-selling car in its class.
In total, some 459,000 SLK models have rolled off the Mercedes-Benz assembly lines since autumn 1996.
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