The SLK is a compact roadster manufactured by Mercedes-Benz in three generations; R170 launched in 1996, the R171 in 2004/5 and R172 in late 2011/12.
Mercedes Benz R170 SLK Class Cars
Years 1996 to 2003/4 : SLK 200, SLK 230, SLK 320, SLK32 AMG
(see post 12 for a useful video guide to the 170 range)
Mercedes Benz R171 SLK Class Cars
Years 2004/5 - 2011: SLK 200, SLK 280, SLK 300, SLK 350, SLK 55 AMG
Mercedes Benz R172 SLK/SLC Class Cars
Years late 2011/12 - 16; SLK 350, SLK 55 AMG, SLK 200, SLK 250
Years late 2016 - 2020; SLC 180, SLC 200, SLC 300, SLC 250d, SLC 43 AMG
Europe gets models earlier than USA
Head to Wikipedia for more info:
Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
As mike350 says:
Looking at the picture at the top of the page, you have the yellow R170 that was made first, this then changed into the black R171 shape, finally the white R172 was built. The R172 was first called an SLK but later had a facelift (often referred to here as FL) and became the SLC.
Each build had a facelift in the later years of the model run with a few nips and tucks, but basically the same overall shape.
Mercedes Benz R170 SLK Class Cars
Years 1996 to 2003/4 : SLK 200, SLK 230, SLK 320, SLK32 AMG
(see post 12 for a useful video guide to the 170 range)
Mercedes Benz R171 SLK Class Cars
Years 2004/5 - 2011: SLK 200, SLK 280, SLK 300, SLK 350, SLK 55 AMG
Mercedes Benz R172 SLK/SLC Class Cars
Years late 2011/12 - 16; SLK 350, SLK 55 AMG, SLK 200, SLK 250
Years late 2016 - 2020; SLC 180, SLC 200, SLC 300, SLC 250d, SLC 43 AMG
Europe gets models earlier than USA
Head to Wikipedia for more info:
Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Which Mercedes-Benz SLK or SLC holds its value best? - Buying a Car
Mercedes-Benz’s SLK model (later badged as an SLC) was around for 23 years, and today, some of these models make very good used buys. Here, we highlight which models hold their value best.
www.autotrader.co.za
As mike350 says:
Looking at the picture at the top of the page, you have the yellow R170 that was made first, this then changed into the black R171 shape, finally the white R172 was built. The R172 was first called an SLK but later had a facelift (often referred to here as FL) and became the SLC.
Each build had a facelift in the later years of the model run with a few nips and tucks, but basically the same overall shape.