Mercedes-Benz SLK: history, nicknames and how to spot one

At a glance

134–415 hpPower

203–282 km/hTop speed

190–540 N·mTorque

1,270–1,630 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.^6,7,13

Layout: Front engine, rear-wheel drive³
Gearbox: 5- or 6-speed manual; 5-, 7- or 9-speed automatic, by version^6,10,14
Built at: Bremen plant, Germany; R170 also assembled in East London, South Africa^3,6
Units built: R170: 311,222 built⁶

The story

Launched in 1996 to draw younger buyers to Mercedes, the SLK combined coupe shelter with open-air driving. Its name stands for sportlich, leicht and kurz: sporty, light and short.^3,4,5

GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones^1,3,6,10

Show the numbers

Year	What happened
1955–1963	Mercedes-Benz 190 SL
1996–2004	Mercedes-Benz SLK (first generation) (R170)
2004–2011	Mercedes-Benz SLK (second generation) (R171)
2011–2020	Mercedes-Benz SLK / SLC (third generation) (R172)
1994	Two concepts: Turin, then Paris
1996	Production SLK premieres in Turin
2001	SLK32 AMG: 13.0-second quarter-mile
2004	R171: 22-second roof and Airscarf
2006	120 Black Series, fixed carbon roof
2011	R172 brings Magic Sky Control
2012	Diesel debut, 415-hp M152 V8
2016	SLK becomes SLC
2020	R172 production ends in June

1994
Two concepts: Turin, then Paris
The SLK I concept appeared in Turin; the SLK II followed in Paris with an electro-hydraulic folding metal roof.⁶
1996
Production SLK premieres in Turin
The production SLK premiered in Turin on April 22; the SLK 200 paired a 2.0 L M111 four with double-wishbone front and multilink rear suspension.^6,7
2001
SLK32 AMG: 13.0-second quarter-mile
The supercharged 3.2 L V6 SLK32 AMG covered the quarter-mile in 13.0 seconds, beating the BMW M Roadster, Corvette and Boxster S.^8,9
2004
R171: 22-second roof and Airscarf
The R171 debuted in Geneva with a 22-second roof cycle; rotating rear glass added 63 L of roof-down trunk space. Airscarf warmed occupants' necks.^3,10
2006
120 Black Series, fixed carbon roof
The SLK 55 AMG Black Series traded its folding roof for a fixed carbon-fiber hardtop and trimmed 45 kg from the standard AMG. Just 120 were built.^10,11
2011
R172 brings Magic Sky Control
The third-generation R172 introduced Magic Sky Control: its roof panel switched between clear and tinted at a button press.^2,3
2012
Diesel debut, 415-hp M152 V8
The 250 CDI was the first diesel SLK. The SLK55 AMG's unique 5.5 L M152 V8 delivered 415 hp and a tested 4.1-second run to 60 mph.^12,13
2016
SLK becomes SLC
The facelifted R172 became the SLC; the AMG SLC 43 brought a 3.0 L V6 and standard nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic.^3,12,14
2020
R172 production ends in June
R172 SLC production ended in June 2020, after pandemic factory closures delayed the planned March/April finish; a Final Edition marked the farewell.¹⁴

Every generation

Mercedes-Benz 190 SL1955–1963
R1701996–2004
R1712004–2011
R1722011–2020

Power over the years

From 134 hp to 415 hp in 16 years.

^{6,10,12,13,14,15}

Show the numbers

Year	Horsepower	Model
1996	134	SLK 200 (2.0 L M111)
1996	190	SLK 230 Kompressor
2000	215	SLK 320 (3.2 L V6)
2001	349	SLK 32 AMG
2004	268	SLK 350 (3.5 L V6)
2004	355	SLK 55 AMG (M113 V8)
2006	395	SLK 55 AMG Black Series
2008	302	SLK 350 facelift
2009	228	SLK 300 (formerly SLK 280)
2012	415	SLK55 AMG (M152 V8)
2015	242	SLK 300, 9G-Tronic automatic
2016	362	AMG SLC 43

Versions

12 versions worth knowing, with their power.

Standard

SLK 200 / 200 Kompressor / 230 Kompressor / 320 (R170)

1996–2004
Standard

SLK 200 Kompressor / 280 / 300 / 350 (R171)

2004–2011
Standard

SLK 200 / 250 / 300 / 350 / 250 CDI (R172)

2011–2016
Standard

SLC 180 / 200 / 300 / 250 d / AMG SLC 43 (R172)

2016–2020
Performance

SLK 32 AMG (R170)

2001–2004

349 hp

4,333 built
Performance

SLK 55 AMG (R171)

2004–2011

355 hp
Performance

SLK 55 AMG (R172)

2012–2016

415 hp
Special

SLK Special Edition / Final Edition

2002 / 2003
Special

SLK Edition 10 / 2LOOK Edition / Grand Edition

2007 / 2009 / 2010
Special

Edition 1 / Roadster pur / CarbonLOOK Edition (R172)

2011 / 2014
Special

SLC RedArt / Final Edition (R172)

2017 / 2019–2020
Limited

SLK 55 AMG Black Series (R171)

2006–2008

395 hp

120 built

How to spot one

Look for

R170: wedge-shaped profile, short overhangs and raised hood domes.^5,6,16
R171: a tapered nose with Formula One-inspired styling.¹⁰
R171: an AMG body kit can be optional styling; the SLK 55 AMG adds four tailpipes.^8,10

Year by year

2000 (R170)
Mirror indicators, body-color skirts and door handles, revised bumpers and a silver grille identify facelifted cars.⁶
2004 (R171)
The second generation introduces a tapered, Formula One-style nose.¹⁰
2008 (R171): exterior
A more pointed bumper, diffuser-style rear valance and larger mirrors with arrow-shaped LED indicators mark the facelift.¹⁰
2008 (R171): cabin
An updated instrument cluster and a three-spoke sports steering wheel distinguish the revised cabin.^1,10
2011 (R172)
A star-bearing single-bar grille, hood vents and almost horizontal headlights replace the pointed Formula One-style face.¹⁴
March 2016 (SLC)
The SLK becomes SLC; a diamond-pattern grille and revised front end identify the facelift.¹⁴

Don’t confuse it with

SLK
Mercedes-Benz SL
Mercedes-Benz SL
The original SLK resembles the contemporary SL but is much shorter; its retracting roof is metal rather than canvas.¹⁶
SLK
Mercedes SLR
Mercedes SLR
The R171 uses a compressed take on the SLR's elongated nose.^8,10
SLK
Audi TT Roadster
Audi TT Roadster
The TT Roadster uses a soft top; the SLK and SLC have a folding hardtop.^12,15

Against its rivals

SLK vs BMW M Roadster

Quarter-mile lower is better

SLK13 s

BMW M Roadster13.1 s
⁹
SLK vs Porsche Boxster S

Power

SLK349 hp

Porsche Boxster S250 hp
⁹
SLK vs BMW Z4 sDrive35is

Skidpad grip

SLK0.9 g

BMW Z4 sDrive35is0.9 g
¹³

Prices

Value today $9.3K–$41.0K^28,29

Price when newAuction saleValue today

^{2,8,13,16,27,28,29,32,33,34,35,36,37,38}

Show the numbers

Year	Price	Amount	Detail
1998	Launch price	$40,000	US base estimate, 1998 model year
1998	Price when new	$40,000	US base estimate, SLK230
2006	Price when new	$62,520	US SLK55 AMG base incl. guzzler tax
2006	Price when new	$63,550	US as tested, SLK55 AMG
2009	Price when new	$51,500	US estimate, SLK350
2012	Price when new	$55,675	US base, SLK350
2012	Price when new	$65,265	US as tested, SLK350
2012	Price when new	$68,375	US base, SLK55 AMG
2012	Price when new	$78,795	US as tested, SLK55 AMG
2014	Price when new	$76,420	US optioned sticker, SLK55 AMG
2025	Auction sale	$19,100	2006 SLK55 AMG, 26k miles, BaT
2025	Auction sale	$23,000	2007 SLK350 Sport 6-speed, 36k miles, BaT
2025	Auction sale	$8,450	1998 SLK230 Kompressor, 17k miles, BaT
2025	Auction sale	$38,000	2006 SLK55 AMG P30, 8k miles, BaT
2026	Auction sale	$9,277	2003 SLK32 AMG, 77k miles, Bring a Trailer
2026	Auction sale	$41,000	2014 SLK55 AMG, 8,500 miles, Bring a Trailer
2026	Auction sale	$14,000	2003 SLK32 AMG, 33k miles, BaT
2026	Auction sale	$13,333	2015 SLK250, 46k miles, BaT
2026	Auction sale	$16,500	2007 SLK350 Sport 6-speed, BaT
2026	Value today	$9,277–$41,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

Versions
- Why each of the 12 versions matters
Legend
- 13 stories from its legend
- “Buzet's closed-car record fell in 2026”
- “F1 duty cost the SLK its folding roof”
Generations
- The story of each of the 4 generations
Market
- 6 things to check before buying one
- Where prices are heading, and why

Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 38 sources

MBSLK - SLK & SLC Community - Die SLK Modellgeschichte bis 01/2011 mbslk.de
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 Road Test - Reviews - Car and Driver caranddriver.com
Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
Mercedes-Benz SLK - Reinterpretation of the roadster - Auto&Design autodesignmagazine.com
Buying Advice Mercedes SLK R170 mercedesblog.com
Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class (R170) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
SLK 200 mercedes-benz-publicarchive.com
Tested: 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG caranddriver.com
2001 Sport Convertible Comparison: Can Chevy Keep Up? caranddriver.com
Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class (R171) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
2006 - 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG Black Series - Images, Specifications and Information ultimatecarpage.com
Used Mercedes SLC review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG Instrumented Test – Review – Car and Driver caranddriver.com
Mercedes-Benz R 172 – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
Used Mercedes SLK review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
'98 Mercedes-Benz SLK 230 - German Car - Motor Trend Magazine motortrend.com
MBSLK - SLK & SLC Community - SLK Special Edition mbslk.de
SLK-Sondermodell "Final Edition" - AUTO BILD autobild.de
MBSLK - SLK & SLC Community - SLK Grand Edition mbslk.de
MBSLK - SLK & SLC Community - SLK Edition 10 mbslk.de
Geneva 2009: Mercedes Benz releases the SLK 2LOOK Edition - paultan.org paultan.org
MBSLK - SLK & SLC Community - SLK 55 AMG Safety-Car mbslk.de
Gran Turismo 5 - List of featured cars gran-turismo.com
Forza Horizon 2 Car List Reveal Begins - XBOX Wire news.xbox.com
Extreme Mercedes hillclimber shown off in Geneva - Racecar Engineering racecar-engineering.com
Noch ein Sieg für Meisel Motorsport Schweiz | Auto Sport Schweiz motorsport.ch
Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class For Sale - BaT Auctions bringatrailer.com
No Reserve: 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK32 AMG for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $9,277 on September 9, 2026 (Lot #262,378) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
8,500-Mile 2014 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $41,000 on October 15, 2026 (Lot #268,725) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
1997 MERCEDES SLK 230 KOMPRESSOR AUTO 16,675 MILES | Sat 14th & Sun 15th June | Anglia Car Auctions angliacarauctions.co.uk
1997 MERCEDES SLK 230 KOMPRESSOR AUTO | Sat 1st & Sun 2nd November | Anglia Car Auctions angliacarauctions.co.uk
2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK - First Drive - European Car Magazine motortrend.com
No Reserve: 33k-Mile 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK32 AMG for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $14,000 on September 24, 2026 (Lot #264,851) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
46k-Mile 2015 Mercedes-Benz SLK250 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $13,333 on April 24, 2026 (Lot #239,372) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
36k-Mile 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 Sport 6-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $23,000 on August 24, 2025 (Lot #206,689) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
26k-Mile 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $19,100 on September 29, 2025 (Lot #212,375) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
No Reserve: 17k-Mile 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 Kompressor for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $8,450 on August 13, 2025 (Lot #204,909) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
8k-Mile 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG P30 Performance Package for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $38,000 on May 28, 2025 (Lot #193,708) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com

mbslk.de
caranddriver.com
en.wikipedia.org
autodesignmagazine.com
mercedesblog.com
mercedes-benz-publicarchive.com
ultimatecarpage.com
autoexpress.co.uk
de.wikipedia.org
motortrend.com
autobild.de
paultan.org
gran-turismo.com
news.xbox.com

At a glance

The story

Two concepts: Turin, then Paris

Production SLK premieres in Turin

SLK32 AMG: 13.0-second quarter-mile

R171: 22-second roof and Airscarf

120 Black Series, fixed carbon roof

R172 brings Magic Sky Control

Diesel debut, 415-hp M152 V8

SLK becomes SLC

R172 production ends in June

Every generation

Power over the years

Versions

SLK 200 / 200 Kompressor / 230 Kompressor / 320 (R170)

SLK 200 Kompressor / 280 / 300 / 350 (R171)

SLK 200 / 250 / 300 / 350 / 250 CDI (R172)

SLC 180 / 200 / 300 / 250 d / AMG SLC 43 (R172)

SLK 32 AMG (R170)

SLK 55 AMG (R171)

SLK 55 AMG (R172)

SLK Special Edition / Final Edition

SLK Edition 10 / 2LOOK Edition / Grand Edition

Edition 1 / Roadster pur / CarbonLOOK Edition (R172)

SLC RedArt / Final Edition (R172)

SLK 55 AMG Black Series (R171)

How to spot one

Look for

Year by year

Don’t confuse it with

Mercedes-Benz SL

Mercedes SLR

Audi TT Roadster

Against its rivals

Prices

The rest of the story is in the app

Versions

Legend

Generations

Market

Sources

Photo credits

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