The new Mercedes-Benz SLK: Passion meets efficiency - Daimler

serious and down-to-earth car in terms of safety and quality. This meant thatthe roadster studies had already opened up a new market niche, making theSLK a trendsetter even before series production had begun.Page 53By 1996 everything was in place: the series production version of the newSLK, designated internally as the R 170, was launched at the Turin MotorShow. Especially high levels of interest were shown in the fully-lowering steelvario-roof, which substantively backed up the SLK claim to being a car for allweathers. Using an intelligent electro-hydraulic system, the entire roof foldeddown into the boot in just 25 seconds, leaving the owner free to roam under anopen sky.The SLK also fielded a convincing range of other qualities. Take safety forexample: two fixed roll-over bars behind the seats protected occupants frominjury if the car should overturn and, in conjunction with the exceptionallyrobust A-pillars, delivered a very high level of safety even when theseMercedes-Benz cars are driven with the top down.Engines from 136 to 354 hpThe sporting talent of the SLK was unleashed by two engine variants:a 2 litre four-cylinder engine with a power rating of 100 kW (136 hp)and a supercharged 2.3 litre engine, also a four-cylinder unit, delivering142 kW (193 hp). In early 2000, the two litre engine was also fitted with abelt-driven supercharger, boosting power to the rear axle to a new level of120 kW (163 hp). The choice of engines was broadened by the arrival oftwo six-cylinder models, the 160 kW (218 hp) unit for the SLK 320 and the260 kW (354 hp) powerplant in the SLK 32 AMG.The evolution of the SLK continuesIn February 2000, Mercedes-Benz substantially upgraded the level ofequipment for its roadster and incorporated innovations such as the ElectronicStability Program (ESP ® ) and a six-speed manual transmission into its standardequipment package. In visual terms, a new bumper and side skirts gave the caran even more dynamic appearance. All the attachments and door handles werepainted to match the vehicle body, to enable the whole car to present an imageof a unified whole in terms of both colour and form. New tail lights, stainlessDaimler Communications, 70546 Stuttgart/GermanyMercedes-Benz – A Daimler Brand