SLKman

Posts: 1,047

Country:

Thanks: 265

Thanked 73 Times in 35 Posts

ied from original poster on another web site. Here is the link to that total Thread with lots of good info.=.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r170...ht=slk+history





Nice History of the SLK R170 write up

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The SLK was announced to the USA market on Sept. 7, 1997 as a 1998 model; it was available in Europe during 1997. The SLK's compact styling, retractable hardtop and optional 185/190 H.P. supercharged (Roots type) engine were a major departure from the large SLs of the previous quarter century.
The SLK was a modern incarnation of the 1950s 190SL by returning to four cylinders and a 94-inch wheelbase. Massively successful even its first year, worldwide sales hit 55,000, over double the entire nine-year production of 190SLs! The SLK was named “North American Car of the Year” by CAR & DRIVER magazine for 1998. Only in the USA sale of the SL320 (6 cylinder) was ended when the SLK arrived to distance it from the senior SL.

Chronology of Features and Changes
1997/1998: First year features included a five-speed automatic transmission, ASR to control wheel spin, ABS brakes and front and side impact airbags. The five speed automatic defers to higher shifting points when it senses “spirited” driving. It also changes shifting points when climbing or descending.
Three engine variants were offered:
1. normal
2. supercharged (kompressor) 2.0 liter and
3. the C230 sedan's 2.3 liter engine with a supercharged -- the later being the only engine for the USA and UK.
A supercharger was chosen over a turbo as peak torque begins sooner at 2,500 RPM, up to 4800. There is variable rate valve timing, electronically controlled oil pressure, antiknock (ping) control and an anti-theft engine disabler. The distributorless ignition features a dual firing coil for each cylinder. Rear axle ratio is 3.27:1.
In the summer of 1997 US production included cruise control, air conditioning, an adjustable steering column and brake-assist, which became standard for the UK also. A few early cars do not include these features. The rear window is glass w/defroster. 1998 also brought "Smart" to turn the passenger’s airbag off whenever light infants or a booster seat was belted in.
Larger tires are used at the rear of the supercharged model which increases neutral handling. 16” wheels were used from the beginning. Suspension design conformed to M-B proven wishbones in front and five-link at the rear. The exhaust system's center and rear mufflers are stainless steel. Headlights are halogen with variable focus reflectors. Remote key codes change every time the key is used however a transponder built into the key also exchanges a code in an electromagnetic coil that surrounds the ignition lock as an added antitheft control.
Fog lamps, power side mirrors and tinted glass are standard. Ditto power windows, cruise control, a telescoping aleather wrapped steering wheel plus climate control with dust/pollen filter and separate controls for driver and passenger. Initial weight of the 2.3 was just over 3,000 lbs. 0-60: 7.2 sec. Top speed: 140. EPA city/hwy: 22/30 In the USA there were only four options: heated seats, metallic paint, heated headlight washers and a choice of telephone/CD changer combinations. A four-year/50,000 mile warranty included tires and battery.

1999: The driver adaptive five-speed automatic transmission became a $900 option, and about 20% of the US customers were expected to select the five speed shift. M-B claimed identical performance for each. A new $3,990 AMG designed Sport Package included 17" wheels, and rakishly styled side sills plus front and rear fascias.

2000: Two unique "designo" paint and upholstery options were added. The "per Edition" came with copper metallic paint and an interior finished with copper and two-tone charcoal leather. Steering wheel, shift knob, floor mats, center console and rollover bars also receive a copper and charcoal. The 2nd designo SLK is "Electric Green," using charcoal leather and trim with light green. Other interior options are Oyster/Charcoal or Salsa/Charcoal combinations or a solid Charcoal version.
A stabilizer bar was added to the rear and they reinforced the front one. A 3.46:1 axle was added for the manual shift SLK. Gas tank grew from 12 to 14 gallons.

2001: A 3.2-liter V6 and a six-speed manual transmission arrived in 2000 as a 2001 model. Concurrently the unibody was reinforced and they thickened the sheet metal of the ellipsoid firewall. Impact absorbers were added to side members to support the wheels in an offset crash. Inner panels of the doors were reshaped and reinforced. A link between the rear side body and main structure was added to disperse rear impacts. Brakes were enlarged on the V6.
Tele Aid and EPS became standard for all Mercedes-Benz in the USA. Tele Air incorporates remote diagnosis, emergency door unlocking and theft alarm notification. Emergency and non-emergency buttons establish immediate voice contact with reception specialists who can dispatch local police or other services. GPS tracking pinpoints location automatically. This also tells authorities the location of stolen SLKs. The 3.46:1 axle was dropped in the USA.

2002: Enter the SLK32 AMG with a whopping 349 HP. (0-60 in 4.8 seconds) Three engine choices: 1) 192 HP four valve, supercharged 4 cylinder, 2) 215 HP V6 and 3) the AMG V6. The SLK32 AMG's engine has twin spark plugs per cylinder for maximum combustion. A newly engineered five-gear "SpeedShift" boasts 35% quicker automatic shifts. The SLK32 AMG uses lower (numeric) transmission gears and a 3.07:1 rear axle for an electronically limited top-speed of 155 mph. The standard four and six cyl. engines retain supercharging. Tell Aid services were expanded.
The AMG supecharger is the Lysholm-type (screw type) which provides boost virtually from idle speed. The AMG variant has reinforced suspension and newly designed wheels for better brake cooling. Brakes became 13.15" diameter vs. 11.8" standard. Revised air dams/spoilers minimize and balance aerodynamic lift front-to-rear and top speed. A small lip spoiler at the trailing edge of the trunk lid reduces rear airlift by more than 50%. AMG interiors introduce more bolstered seats, unique two-tone leather and dark birds-eye maple wood. AMG instruments are finished in silver. The warranty included free adjustments and regularly scheduled maintenance for the full four years or 50,000 miles.

2003: No major changes or new features.

2004: Beginning in July 2004 a Special Edition was available with highly polished, win spoke 17" wheels and high performance tires, newly designed sport seats and roll bars covered with Nappa leather.

2005: New Body R171 Replaced the R170.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
2000 SLK230 copper Designo Sport
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

alroumi

Posts: 6,214

Country:

Thanks: 290

Thanked 223 Times in 134 Posts

Merci beaucoup Keep up the great work

__________________
06 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG
06 Porsche Cayenne S
07 Jaguar XKR Coupe'

I use the Torque and keep the HP for my Steak Sauce!

-1-

Posts: 2,207

Country:

Thanks: 50

Thanked 55 Times in 39 Posts

I remember the SLK introduction well. I loved the look and that retractable hardtop....

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

----------------1-----------------
--------SLK 55 ///AMG---------
THE MON55TER ON THE BLOCK

alroumi

Posts: 6,214

Country:

Thanks: 290

Thanked 223 Times in 134 Posts

Me too, I wanted one badly back in the day but 10 years later of the R170's introduction Im in an SLK55 which is .

I like the Silver over Black/red SLK230K when they first came out and whilst picking up my 1999 ML320 when it first arrived I remember seeing a beautiful Red over Black/red SLK230K on May 24th 1999.

__________________
06 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG
06 Porsche Cayenne S
07 Jaguar XKR Coupe'

I use the Torque and keep the HP for my Steak Sauce!

Woolly

Posts: 970

Country:

Thanks: 35

Thanked 26 Times in 16 Posts

July 2004 in the UK

__________________


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



2005 BMW LT - 16 countries, 2 CONTINENTS & counting
2004 MB SLK 350 Andradite Green (6 speed manual]
1999 Ducati ST2
2003 Vauxhaul Vectra
1974 Triumph Bonneville 750 T140V
1937 Norton 500 single
(all still current)

alroumi

Posts: 6,214

Country:

Thanks: 290

Thanked 223 Times in 134 Posts

Same here, I was totaly amazed by the changes the R171 has when compared to the less technological 90's R170.

__________________
06 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG
06 Porsche Cayenne S
07 Jaguar XKR Coupe'

I use the Torque and keep the HP for my Steak Sauce!