Feruary 2, 2000

• High-tech V6 engine plus a choice of two compressor powerplants
• ESP, six-speed transmission and sidebags as standard
• Attractive colors and high-quality materials for the interior

SLK - ever since the fall of 1996, these letters have been synonymous with open-top driving pleasure, premium design quality and technical perfection. The compact Mercedes roadster of the same name with its innovative vario folding hardtop shot to the top of the popularity stakes right from the start and went on to surpass all expectations. During the first full year of availability, more than 55,000 models rolled off the assembly line in the Bremen factory - 50 per cent more than had originally been planned.

Today, the SLK is in pole position in the compact roadster segment in countries such as Germany, Great Britain, Italy and the USA. Some 160,000 motorists worldwide have so far opted for this fascinating two-seater, which has already picked up more than 35 international prizes and awards - ranging from the "Golden Steering Wheel" (Germany 1996) to such accolades as "Most Beautiful Car in the World" (Italy 1996), "Car of the Year" (USA 1997), "World's Best Convertible" (Germany 1998) or "Most Popular Convertible" (Italy 1999).

From the spring of 2000, the SLK will be resuming its success story with an even more sporty attire combined with new technology. In addition, Mercedes-Benz will give a significant boost to the equipment of the roadster with standard features to include innovations such as the Electronic Stability Program (ESP), six-speed manual transmission and SPEEDTRONIC. The new SLK 320 V6 flagship also comes with air-conditioning as standard.

New bumpers and body side moldings for an even more dynamic look

The design modifications distinguish the roadster of the new model year at first glance: restyled front and rear bumpers with integrated spoiler edges as well as redesigned body side moldings highlight the roadster's sporty attributes and produce an even more powerful appearance. All moldings and the door handles are painted in the body color to ensure that the entire body appears as a unified whole in terms of both styling and color. New rear lamps, the stainless steel exhaust tailpipe and the painted radiator grille are further features of the new-look SLK. As on all other Mercedes models, the turn signal repeaters on the SLK are now incorporated into the exterior mirror housings.

Choice of aluminum or fine wood interior trim

The designers and engineers have upgraded the SLK's interior with loving attention to detail. The carbon look that previously adorned the center console and door openers has been replaced with trim panels of high-quality, structured aluminum. As an option, the interior can be trimmed with fine-grained brown eucalyptus wood, impressively named "Calyptus Linea", or with black bird's eye maple. The innovative color concept which enables SLK buyers to personalize the interior has been retained, although designers have brought color shades and intensity in line with the latest trends. Depending on the fabric or leather trim chosen, up to five interior colors are now available: anthracite, merlin blue, siam beige, magma red and lotus yellow.

Other details which upgrade the SLK interior both visually and functionally include the new leather or wood steering wheel and gear lever inlay, the reworked instrument cluster complete with larger ASSYST display (Active Service System) and the revised and ergonomically enhanced sports seats which are electrically adjustable as an option.

Even entry-level model to feature compressor supercharging in the future

Improved four-cylinder engines and, for the first time in the roadster, a powerful six-cylinder unit with 3.2 liters displacement will in future be setting the tone under the hood of the roadster. The entry-level SLK 200 KOMPRESSOR now also features a mechanical supercharger which provides an impressive 120 kW/163 hp. The deployment of the supercharger already pays dividends at low revs. From a mere 2500 rpm the engine provides its maximum torque of 230 Newton meters - a remarkable value which remains constant right up to 4800 rpm. Thanks to supercharging, the SLK 200 KOMPRESSOR accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 8.2 seconds and achieves a maximum speed of 223 km/h. In the European Driving Cycle, the roadster consumes 9.6 liters of premium gasoline per 100 kilometers (NEDC overall consumption).

The SLK 230 KOMPRESSOR now delivers 145 kW/197 hp - previously 142 kW/ 193 hp - and develops an exemplary peak torque of 280 Newton meters from 2500 rpm. The extra output translates into even better performance figures: the SLK 230 KOMPRESSOR accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.2 seconds and attains a top speed of 240 km/h. It has a fuel consumption of 9,8 liters per 100 kilometers (NEDC overall consumption).

Exemplary emission values ready for future EU-4 exhaust limits

Mercedes-Benz has thoroughly revised the two four-cylinder engines and prepared them for future European Union exhaust limits. As a result, both the SLK 200 KOMPRESSOR and the SLK 230 KOMPRESSOR meet the strict EU-4 exhaust limits to be introduced across Europe in 2005. In Germany, owners of these Mercedes roadsters will therefore receive a one-off tax bonus of 600 German Marks from the year 2000.

Technical changes to the four-cylinder engines include the modified cylinder head with flow-optimized intake and outlet ports for improved volumetric efficiency, high-performance single-spark ignition coils in the cylinder head, the new electronic engine management system, the noise and efficiency-optimized compressor and the exhaust system with air-gap insulated exhaust manifold.

New top-of-the-range model with high-torque V6 powerplant

The modern V6 powerplant, which Mercedes-Benz is now giving its premiere in the roadster, is just as low-pollutant as the two four-cylinder engines for the SLK. This engine has long since made a name for itself in Mercedes passenger cars of the E-, M- and S-class, as well as in the CLK models and in the SL roadster. Featuring three-valves-per-cylinder technology, dual ignition, low-friction cylinder liners and advanced lightweight materials, this six-cylinder unit ranks alongside the most innovative engines in its class. In the SLK 320, it provides 160 kW/218 hp. With a maximum torque of 310 Newton meters on tap from 3000 rpm, it combines flexibility with the kind of performance expected of a sports car. The new V6 roadster accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,9 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 245 km/h. Its fuel consumption of just 11.1 liters per 100 kilometers (NEDC overall consumption) also attests to the state-of-the-art design of this six-cylinder powerplant.

The engine and exhaust systems of all SLK models are continuously monitored by a so-called onboard diagnostic system. It meets the requirements of the EU-4 directive and uses a control lamp in the instrument cluster to warn the driver ("Check Engine") of a fault affecting a component relevant to pollutant emissions.

From spring 2000, all SLK models will feature the recently developed six-speed manual transmission as standard. In true sports car style, it is distinguished by short-throw gearshifts and low shifting effort. Unlike the sedans and wagons of other Mercedes ranges, the sixth gear of the SLK transmission is a genuine driving gear in which the roadster reaches its maximum speed. The modern five-speed automatic transmission continues to be optionally available for the SLK. A standard feature is the convenient one-touch gearshift which, in "D" position, also facilitates manual selection of driving ranges one to five.

To increase the two-seater's range, Mercedes-Benz will in future provide all SLK models with a 60-liter fuel tank (previously 53 liters).

Optimum driving safety thanks to standard ESP and new stabilizers

The standard provision of the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) is the main modification on the suspension side of the model year 2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK. In critical situations, ESP keeps the roadster safely on course - within the limitations imposed by the laws of physics - and can significantly reduce the risk of skidding. In addition, the torsion-bar stabilizer on the front axle has been reinforced and the rear axle fitted with an additional torsion-bar stabilizer, which also improves the driving characteristics. By using retuned shock absorbers, Mercedes engineers have reduced spring travel by five millimeters and thus also lowered the body in the interests of driving dynamics and the sporty appearance.

Safety in offset and side impact improved yet again

In order to ensure that, in the event of a serious offset frontal impact, crash safety reflects the latest findings of accident research, the side members have been reinforced and the material thickness of the inherently stable ellipsoid firewall increased yet again. In other words: the SLK provides the high standards of occupant protection one can expect of a Mercedes - even in a side impact, where passengers can rely on its high-strength body structure and standard sidebags in the doors.