Mercedes-Benz R172

Mercedes-Benz R172[1]
Overview
Manufacturer	Daimler AG
Production	2011–
Assembly	Bremen, Germany
Designer	Il-hun Yoon (2007, 2008)
Body and chassis
Class	Sports car, Roadster
Body style	2-door retractable hardtop
Chronology
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz R171

The third generation of Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class (series R172) was launched in Stuttgart in January 2011,^[2] with a subsequent public launch at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show,^[3] with international sales starting spring 2011. It is the successor of R171 series of roadsters which was originally launched in 1996.

Initial release

The design follows the themes of both the first and second generations, but incorporating headlamp design from the 190 SL roadster from the 1950s, and front end inspired by Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupé and Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Series 218.^[4]

"Edition 1" model includes special paint finish SHAPE in glacier grey, panoramic vario-roof, Dynamic Handling package, AMG bodystyling, two-tone designo nappa leather with contrasting topstitching, AIRSCARF, ambient lighting and more.

Orders began in from 17 January 2011, and arrived to dealer showrooms on 26 March 2011. Early models include SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY, SLK 250 BlueEFFICIENCY, SLK 350 BlueEFFICIENCY.^[5]

US models went on sale in summer 2011 as 2012 model year vehicles.

Roadster Pure (2011-)

It is a version of SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY with 7-speed automatic transmission, panoramic vario-roof, and the multimedia system COMAND Online. 18-inch light-alloy wheels in 5-twin-spoke design, lowered sports suspension by 10 mm, LED daytime running lights, metallic paint and leather heated seats.

SLK 250 CDI (2011-)

It is the first version of SLK-class vehicle with diesel engine. Ordering of SLK 250 CDI began in 13 September 2011. Early models include 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission, followed by six-speed manual transmission models in the second quarter of 2012. A BlueEFFICIENCY version of the SLK 250 CDI with 6-speed manual transmission was added to the range in the spring of 2012.^[6] SLK 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY with 7-speed automatic transmission is sold in Germany.

SLK 55 AMG (2012-)

It is a version of SLK-Class roadster with the M152 engine rated 421 PS (310 kW; 415 hp) @6800rpm and 540 N·m (398 lb·ft) @4500rpm, AMG Cylinder Management, Controlled Efficiency start/stop function, AMG sports exhaust system with integrated exhaust flaps, tandem catalytic converter housing on each side of the vehicle, AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission, AMG sports suspension with Torque Vectoring Brakes and AMG Direct-Steer system, 3-stage ESP, ventilated and perforated brake discs on all wheels with 360 x 36 mm front and 330 x 22 mm rear brake discs, optional AMG Handling package (AMG Performance suspension with stiffer tuning, AMG rear axle differential lock, composite front brake discs, 3-spoke AMG Performance steering wheel wrapped in nappa leather with Alcantara inserts in the grip areas), AMG-specific LED daytime driving lights, darkened clear-lens headlamps and darkened bicolour tail lamps, optional Intelligent Light System, AMG-specific distinctively styled side sill panels, black diffuser insert with three fins, two chrome-plated twin tailpipes of the AMG sports exhaust system, spoiler lip on the boot lid the vehicle body colour, four air vents in the style of jet engines, centre console in brushed aluminium, optional AMG-specific analogue watch featuring an IWC design, AMG Performance steering wheel with metal trim, aluminium shift paddles and grip areas finished in perforated leather, AMG sports seats with individual seat upholstery layout and optimised lateral support with ARTICO man-made leather and black fabric upholstery (optional nappa leather and Exclusive nappa leather), optional AIRSCARF neck-level heating system, standard vario-roof (optional panoramic vario-roof in tinted polycarbonate, panoramic vario-roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL) with frames in magnesium, optional AIRGUIDE pivoting draught-stop.

AMG Performance Studio options include:

• "Designo leather" and "Designo Exclusive leather" with eleven single-tone and ten two-tone upholstery variants
• "AMG carbon-fibre trim" and "Designo trim in black piano lacquer" for the centre console
• Designo Alcantara windscreen frame
• Seat belts in silver or red
• A choice of 5 body colours (including 2 matte finishes)
• AMG five spoke light-alloy wheels in titanium grey with a high-gloss finish, with 235/40 R 18 front and 255/35 R 18 rear tyres
• AMG multi-spoke light-alloy wheels in matte black with a high-gloss finish on the rim flange, with 235/40 R 18 front and 255/35 R 18 rear tyres
• AMG Handling package (AMG Performance suspension, AMG rear axle differential lock, composite brake discs on the front axle, AMG Performance steering wheel (with Alcantara inserts in the grip areas)
• AMG door sill panels, illuminated in white using LED technology

Edition 1 model includes a choice of 3 body colours (Designo magno cashmere white, diamond white BRIGHT metallic, obsidian black metallic), multi-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels in matte black with a high-gloss finish on the rim flange, two-tone "Designo Exclusive leather" in platinum white pearl interior colour, windscreen frame in Alcantara, AMG carbon-fibre trim, AMG Performance steering wheel with Dinamica inserts in the grip areas, white illuminated AMG door sill panels, platinum white contrasting stitching for the upper part of the dashboard, the door beltlines, the AMG Performance steering wheel and the shift lever gaiter.

Other options include:

• DISTRONIC PLUS
• Intelligent Light System
• Speed Limit Assist
• Anticipatory and reversible PRE-SAFE occupant protection system
• PRE-SAFE Brake

The SLK 55 AMG market launch began in January 2012.^[7][8]

The vehicle was unveiled in 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show,^[9] followed by 2011 Bologna Motor Show along with Ducati Streetfighter 848.^[10]

Equipment

The third generation continues with the two-piece metal folding roof known as a Vario Roof, which includes a choice of a roof painted in the vehicle colour, a panoramic vario-roof with dark-tinted windows, or the panoramic vario-roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL, which contains glass roof that can be switched to light or dark.

Engines

ECO start/stop is included for all engine models.^[11]

Transmissions

Performance

2014 model year update

SLK update, SLK "Roadster Pure" (2013-)

Changes include:

• Adaptive Highbeam Assist no longer part of the Intelligent Light System
• Special Edition 1 model no longer available
• designo Exclusive leather platinum white pearl (two-color) no longer available
• Calcite White and Galena silver metallic body colours replaced by Polar White non-metallic paint and Hyacinth red metallic (the latter available from Q4/13)
• SLK 350 and SLK 55 AMG with multifunction color screen
• AMG Sports package renamed to AMG Line
• New sport package (similar to AMG package but without spoiler package)
• 5-spoke design alloy wheels in Tremolite gray (optional)

Changes to Japan SLK 200 and 350 models include AMG sports package as standard, standard AMG styling package or 18-inch AMG 5-spoke aluminium wheels, exclusive design sport seats with red stitching (when using black or crystal gray interior), AMG sports steering wheel. Changes to Japan SLK 200 Sports include 18-inch 5-spoke aluminium wheels with new design. Changes to Japan AMG handling package include AMG sports suspension, limited slip differential for SLK 55 AMG, wheel colour for AMG carbon interior trim was changed to matt black.

SLK "Roadster Pure" (available for SLK 200 6-speed manual, SLK 250 CDI 6-speed manual) includes static halogen headlight, cloth upholstery, 2-speed wipers.^[13]

Japan models went on sale in 2013-08-07. Early models include SLK 200 MT, SLK 200 Trend, SLK 200 Sports, SLK 200, SLK 350, SLK 55 AMG.^[14]

Engines

Transmissions

References

External links

Press kit:

• The new Mercedes-Benz SLK: Passion meets efficiency
• The new SLK 55 AMG: Top marks in all disciplines