The SLK is a compact roadster manufactured by Mercedes-Benz in three generations; R170 launched in 1996, the R171 in 2004 and R172 in 2011.As one of the first modern retractable hardtop convertibles, the SLK followed the 1995 Mitsubishi 3000GT Spyder and preceded other retractable hardtops such as the Peugeot 206cc, Lexus SC, Pontiac G6 and the Chrysler Sebring. The SLK Vario-roof was first shown on the SLK II concept car at the 1994 Paris Motor Show. The car went on sale two years later in Europe, and in 1997 in the US. The SLK is built in Bremen, Germany.
The designation SLK derives from the company's design mission to create a roadster that was at once sporty, light and short — in German: Sportlich, Leicht und Kurz.
The SLK-Class was launched in 1996 on the new R170-platform, The SLK 230 Kompressor launch model was designed to compete with the Porsche Boxster and BMW Z3. Based on the 1994 concept SLK I shown at the Turin Motor Show and the SLK II from the Paris Motor Show, it featured an unusual folding hardtop. It was powered by a 193 hp 2.3 L supercharged I4 engine and a choice of automatic transmission or 5-speed manual transmission. The SLK was a modern incarnation of the 1950s Mercedes-Benz 190SL by returning to four cylinders and a 94-inch (2,400 mm) wheelbase. Massively successful in its first year, worldwide sales hit 55,000, over double the entire nine-year production of 190SLs, and between 1996 and 2004, over 311,000 SLKs were sold. The very first R170 Mercedes SLK was completed on January 29, 1997 and last on April 7, 2004.
