The Mercedes SLK R170 Reviewed
The SLK gets its most prominent name from Sporty, Light, and Short (or Kurz in German). The SLK 170 was at first a compact implementation of the popular SL sports car. The SLK R170 appeared first in 1996 to legions of fans. Sales out of the gate started at 50,000 units. However, time and competition aged this car. It was going head-to-head unfavorably against the Audi II. Also, it became a technological has-been.
The SLK’s hard top is its best feature; the underpowered and sluggish engine, its worst. The SLK’s steering came fro the C-class, which wasn’t the best choice either.
When compared to rivals, the TT Roadster, the BMW Z3, and the Alfa Romero Spider, the Mercedes SLK 170 still stands out with its sex appeal. While the engine was uninspiring, they say North American drivers wanted the better gas millage over the power.
The Mercedes SLK R170 was the first Mercedes with a retractable hardtop. Going top-down is still impracticable unless you have a Mercedes SLK R170 windscreen / windblocker / wind deflector. This innovative hard top follows in the footstep of the Mitsubishi 3000 GT Spyder, Peugeot 206cc, Lexus SC, Mercedes SL Class, and the Chrysler Sebring.
Being well aware of how the SLK was coming up short, the 2/3 liter Kompressor came out in 2000. This car was fitted with extra power, a change in body design, and is more nimble in handling. The engine fixed some of its initial roughness. Mercedes also improved the transmission, making it smooth shifting. There was new six-speed transmission, pieced together from the E-class. If you wanted an automatic, then you were stuck with only five gears. Going with the top down still invites all of the backlash, needing a Mercedes SLK R170 windscreen, windblocker, wind deflector. Next, a smoother and safer ride became possible with chassis improvement.
These changes are evolutionary, not revolutionary. The Mercedes SLK 170 is a car that still wows, handles well, and draws the eyes.
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This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 at 4:05 am and is filed under Auto Insurance News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.