Mercedes-Benz SLK / SLC History
Catalog record
This is a brief catalog introduction with limited source documentation. A licensed, identity-checked lead photograph has not yet been added for this page. Detailed year, configuration and ownership coverage must be identified separately; this page is not a complete vehicle catalog.
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The SLK (R170, 1996) popularized the retractable folding metal hardtop on an affordable compact roadster, below the SL.
Three generations (R170, R171, R172) ran before the car was renamed SLC for 2016 to align with the new nomenclature; it was discontinued after 2020.
Generations
First generation · R170
Popularized the folding metal hardtop on a compact roadster.
1997 Photo: “1997 Mercedes-Benz R170 SLK 230 Kompressor, front right, 07-28-2024” by Ethan Llamas / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1998 Photo: “1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK 230 Kompressor, front left (Cruisin' the River Lowellville Car Cruise, July 17, 2023)” by MercurySable99 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
2000 Photo: “2000 Mercedes SLK 320 Automatic” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
2001 Photo: “2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK 230 Kompressor in Brilliant Silver Metallic, Front Left, 07-13-2023” by Elise240SX / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
2004 Photo: “2004-2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 Kompressor (R 171) roadster (2010-10-02)” by OSX / Wikimedia Commons — Public domain. Cropped to 16:9.
Second generation · R171
Sharper styling; the SLK55 AMG added a V8.
2005 Photo: “2005 Mercedes SLK 55 AMG Auto” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
2006 Photo: “2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK 280 Automatic 3.0 Front” by Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
2007 Photo: “2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK 280, front right, 09-09-2023” by MercurySable99 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
2008 Photo: “2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK 280, front right, 05-26-2024” by MercurySable99 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
2009 Photo: “2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK 350 with Sport package, front left, 06-16-2024” by MercurySable99 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Third generation · R172
Renamed SLC for 2016; final generation.
2012 Photo: “2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK 250 (R 172) BlueEFFICIENCY roadster (2012-10-26) 01” by OSX / Wikimedia Commons — Public domain. Cropped to 16:9.
2013 Photo: “2013 Mercedes-Benz R172 SLK 200, Motul Trans Sport Show 2024, 05-25-2024” by Ethan Llamas / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
2014 Photo: “2014 Mercedes-Benz SLK 250 (43362926841)” by Hugh Llewelyn from Keynsham, UK / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
2015 Photo: “2015 Mercedes SLK (46873075465)” by Hugh Llewelyn / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
2020 Photo: “2020 Mercedes-Benz SLC 200 Final Edition 2.0 Front” by Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Body styles
- Roadster (retractable hardtop)
Notable special editions & performance variants
SLK55 / SLK32 AMG
AMG versions — a supercharged V6 (SLK32, 2001–2004) and later a naturally aspirated V8 (SLK55 — R171 2005–2011, R172 2012–2016).
Related models
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