This is the SLK's tenth Anniversary. The SLK was announced to the USA market on Sept. 7, 1997 as a 1998 model; it was available in Europe during 1997. SLK production during these 10 years has doubled the 280/300/350/380/420/450/500/560SL (107 Body) during its 19 years of production. The SLK's compact styling, retractable hardtop and optional 185/190 H.P. supercharged (Roots type) engine were a major departure from the large SLs of the previous quarter century.The SLK is a modern incarnation of the 1950s 190SL by returning to four cylinders and a 94-inch wheelbase. Massively successful even its first year, worldwide sales hit 55,000, over double the entire nine-year production of 190SLs! The SLK was named “North American Car of the Year” by CAR & DRIVER magazine for 1998. Only in the USA sale of the SL320 (6 cylinder) was ended when the SLK arrived to distance it from the senior SL.
Chronology of Features and Changes

1997/1998: First year features included a five-speed automatic transmission, ASR to control wheel spin, ABS brakes and front and side impact airbags. The five speed automatic defers to higher shifting points when it senses “spirited” driving. It also changes shifting points when climbing or descending.

Three engine variants were offered:

1. Normal
2. Supercharged (kompressor) 2.0 liter and
3. The C230 sedan's 2.3 liter engine with a supercharged — the later being the only engine for the USA and UK.

A supercharger was chosen over a turbo as peak torque begins sooner at 2,500 RPM, up to 4800. There is variable rate valve timing, electronically controlled oil pressure, antiknock (ping) control and an anti-theft engine disabler. The distributorless ignition features a dual firing coil for each cylinder. Rear axle ratio is 3.27:1.

In the summer of 1997 US production included cruise control, air conditioning, an adjustable steering column and brake-assist, which became standard for the UK also. A few early cars do not include these features. The rear window is glass w/defroster. 1998 also brought "BabySmart" to turn the passenger’s airbag off whenever light infants or a booster seat was belted in.

Larger tires are used at the rear of the supercharged model which increases neutral handling. 16” wheels were used from the beginning. Suspension design conformed to M-B proven wishbones in front and five-link at the rear. The exhaust system's center and rear mufflers are stainless steel. Headlights are halogen with variable focus reflectors. Remote key codes change every time the key is used however a transponder built into the key also exchanges a code in an electromagnetic coil that surrounds the ignition lock as an added antitheft control.

Fog lamps, power side mirrors and tinted glass are standard. Ditto power windows, cruise control, a telescoping aleather wrapped steering wheel plus climate control with dust/pollen filter and separate controls for driver and passenger. Initial weight of the 2.3 was just over 3,000 lbs. 0-60: 7.2 sec. Top speed: 140. EPA city/hwy: 22/30 In the USA there were only four options: heated seats, metallic paint, heated headlight washers and a choice of telephone/CD changer combinations. A four-year/50,000 mile warranty included tires and battery.

1999: The driver adaptive five-speed automatic transmission became a $900 option, and about 20% of the US customers were expected to select the five speed shift. M-B claimed identical performance for each. A new $3,990 AMG designed Sport Package included 17" wheels, and rakishly styled side sills plus front and rear fascias.

2000: Two unique "designo" paint and upholstery options were added. The "Copper Edition" came with copper metallic paint and an interior finished with copper and two-tone charcoal leather. Steering wheel, shift knob, floor mats, center console and rollover bars also receive a copper and charcoal. The 2nd designo SLK is "Electric Green," using charcoal leather and trim with light green. Other interior options are Oyster/Charcoal or Salsa/Charcoal combinations or a solid Charcoal version.
A stabilizer bar was added to the rear and they reinforced the front one. A 3.46:1 axle was added for the manual shift SLK. Gas tank grew from 12 to 14 gallons.

2001: A 3.2-liter V6 and a six-speed manual transmission arrived in 2000 as a 2001 model. Concurrently the unibody was reinforced and they thickened the sheet metal of the ellipsoid firewall. Impact absorbers were added to side members to support the wheels in an offset crash. Inner panels of the doors were reshaped and reinforced. A link between the rear side body and main structure was added to disperse rear impacts. Brakes were enlarged on the V6.

Tele Aid and EPS became standard for all Mercedes-Benz in the USA. Tele Air incorporates remote diagnosis, emergency door unlocking and theft alarm notification. Emergency and non-emergency buttons establish immediate voice contact with reception specialists who can dispatch local police or other services. GPS tracking pinpoints location automatically. This also tells authorities the location of stolen SLKs. The 3.46:1 axle was dropped in the USA.
<< CONTINUE READING >>