Mercedes-Benz SLK I (R170) photos

1996 — 2004 · convertible

photos

specifications

134–349

5.2 s

best 0–100

Photos

No photos yet.

About this generation

The first-generation compact SLK R170 roadster featuring the innovative Vario-Roof steel hardtop was produced from 1996 to 2004.

The first generation of the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class (R170) debuted in 1996, built on a modified C-Class W202 platform. The defining breakthrough of the R170 was its electro-hydraulic retractable steel hardtop, marketed as the Vario-Roof, which converted the car from a quiet coupe to a roadster in 25 seconds. This invention popularized folding hardtops across the global automotive industry.

Initial models were powered by four-cylinder gasoline engines, available as naturally aspirated 2.0L or supercharged 2.0L and 2.3L Kompressor units. A mid-life facelift in 2000 refreshed the styling, upgraded interior trim, made ESP electronic stability control standard, and added a 3.2-liter V6 engine (SLK 320). The high-performance flagship was the SLK 32 AMG powered by a supercharged 3.2-liter V6 delivering 354 hp. Total sales of the R170 reached over 311,000 units worldwide.

Specifications

3995 mm157.3 in

Length

1715 mm67.5 in

Width

1270 mm50.0 in

Height

2400 mm94.5 in

Wheelbase

145 l5.1 cu ft

Trunk

Petrol

200

134hp(100 kW)

2.0 l 5-speed manual RWD 0–100 9.3 s

1996–2000

Torque: 190 Nm (140 lb-ft)
Top speed: 208 km/h (129 mph)
Displacement: 1998 cc
Cylinders: 4
Engine: M111.946
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1270 kg (2800 lb)
Fuel tank: 53 l (14.0 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 9.1 l/100 km (26 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂: 217 g/km (NEDC)

200

134hp(100 kW)

2.0 l 5-speed automatic RWD 0–100 9.7 s

1996–2000

Torque: 190 Nm (140 lb-ft)
Top speed: 204 km/h (127 mph)
Displacement: 1998 cc
Cylinders: 4
Engine: M111.946
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1290 kg (2844 lb)
Fuel tank: 53 l (14.0 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 9.3 l/100 km (25 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂: 222 g/km (NEDC)

200 Kompressor

161hp(120 kW)

2.0 l 6-speed manual RWD 0–100 8.2 s

2000–2004

Torque: 230 Nm (170 lb-ft)
Top speed: 223 km/h (139 mph)
Displacement: 1998 cc
Cylinders: 4
Engine: M111.958
Aspiration: supercharged
Curb weight: 1365 kg (3009 lb)
Fuel tank: 60 l (15.9 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 9.6 l/100 km (25 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂: 230 g/km (NEDC)

200 Kompressor

161hp(120 kW)

2.0 l 5-speed automatic RWD 0–100 8.5 s

2000–2004

Torque: 230 Nm (170 lb-ft)
Top speed: 220 km/h (137 mph)
Displacement: 1998 cc
Cylinders: 4
Engine: M111.958
Aspiration: supercharged
Curb weight: 1385 kg (3053 lb)
Fuel tank: 60 l (15.9 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 9.2 l/100 km (26 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂: 222 g/km (NEDC)

200 Kompressor

189hp(141 kW)

2.0 l 5-speed manual RWD 0–100 7.7 s

1996–2000

Torque: 270 Nm (199 lb-ft)
Top speed: 236 km/h (147 mph)
Displacement: 1998 cc
Cylinders: 4
Engine: M111.943
Aspiration: supercharged
Curb weight: 1335 kg (2943 lb)
Fuel tank: 53 l (14.0 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 9.5 l/100 km (25 mpg US) NEDC

200 Kompressor

189hp(141 kW)

2.0 l 5-speed automatic RWD 0–100 7.8 s

1996–2000

Torque: 270 Nm (199 lb-ft)
Top speed: 232 km/h (144 mph)
Displacement: 1998 cc
Cylinders: 4
Engine: M111.943
Aspiration: supercharged
Curb weight: 1355 kg (2987 lb)
Fuel tank: 53 l (14.0 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 9.4 l/100 km (25 mpg US) NEDC

230 Kompressor

190hp(142 kW)

2.3 l 5-speed manual RWD 0–100 7.4 s

1996–2000

Torque: 280 Nm (207 lb-ft)
Top speed: 231 km/h (144 mph)
Displacement: 2295 cc
Cylinders: 4
Engine: M111.973
Aspiration: supercharged
Curb weight: 1325 kg (2921 lb)
Fuel tank: 53 l (14.0 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 9.3 l/100 km (25 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂: 220 g/km (NEDC)

230 Kompressor

190hp(142 kW)

2.3 l 5-speed automatic RWD 0–100 7.3 s

1996–2000

Torque: 280 Nm (207 lb-ft)
Top speed: 227 km/h (141 mph)
Displacement: 2295 cc
Cylinders: 4
Engine: M111.973
Aspiration: supercharged
Curb weight: 1345 kg (2965 lb)
Fuel tank: 53 l (14.0 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 9.2 l/100 km (26 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂: 220 g/km (NEDC)

230 Kompressor

194hp(145 kW)

2.3 l 6-speed manual RWD 0–100 7.2 s

2000–2004

Torque: 280 Nm (207 lb-ft)
Top speed: 240 km/h (149 mph)
Displacement: 2295 cc
Cylinders: 4
Engine: M111.983
Aspiration: supercharged
Curb weight: 1385 kg (3053 lb)
Fuel tank: 60 l (15.9 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 9.8 l/100 km (24 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂: 235 g/km (NEDC)

230 Kompressor

194hp(145 kW)

2.3 l 5-speed automatic RWD 0–100 7.3 s

2000–2004

Torque: 280 Nm (207 lb-ft)
Top speed: 236 km/h (147 mph)
Displacement: 2295 cc
Cylinders: 4
Engine: M111.983
Aspiration: supercharged
Curb weight: 1405 kg (3097 lb)
Fuel tank: 60 l (15.9 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 9.6 l/100 km (25 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂: 230 g/km (NEDC)

320

215hp(160 kW)

3.2 l 6-speed manual RWD 0–100 7.0 s

2000–2004

Torque: 310 Nm (229 lb-ft)
Top speed: 245 km/h (152 mph)
Displacement: 3199 cc
Cylinders: 6
Engine: M112.947
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1405 kg (3097 lb)
Fuel tank: 60 l (15.9 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 11.1 l/100 km (21 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂: 265 g/km (NEDC)

320

215hp(160 kW)

3.2 l 5-speed automatic RWD 0–100 6.9 s

2000–2004

Torque: 310 Nm (229 lb-ft)
Top speed: 242 km/h (150 mph)
Displacement: 3199 cc
Cylinders: 6
Engine: M112.947
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1425 kg (3142 lb)
Fuel tank: 60 l (15.9 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 10.6 l/100 km (22 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂: 254 g/km (NEDC)

32 AMG

349hp(260 kW)

3.2 l 5-speed automatic RWD 0–100 5.2 s

2001–2004

Torque: 450 Nm (332 lb-ft)
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement: 3199 cc
Cylinders: 6
Engine: M112.960
Aspiration: supercharged
Curb weight: 1495 kg (3296 lb)
Fuel tank: 60 l (15.9 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 11.2 l/100 km (21 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂: 269 g/km (NEDC)

Tap a card to see all specs

News

Mercedes-Benz news

All Mercedes-Benz news

2027 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Output Climbs to 577 HP With New Plug-in Hybrid System

Mercedes-AMG updated the 2027 GLE 53 with a 577-hp plug-in hybrid powertrain delivering 553 lb-ft of torque and 45 miles of electric range. The electrified setup cuts the 0-60 mph sprint to 4.1 seconds and supports 60-kW DC fast charging.

15.Oct.2026

Mercedes-Benz Updates 2027 GLS With Superscreen Display and Engines Up to 530 HP

Mercedes-Benz has introduced the refreshed 2027 GLS-Class, introducing the new MB.OS software architecture, a three-panel Superscreen dashboard, and refined powertrains. The full-size luxury SUV offers a 375-hp inline-six and a 530-hp twin-turbo V-8 alongside predictive cloud-connected air suspension.

11.Oct.2026

Mercedes-Benz Opens US Orders for 2027 G 580 Electric with Native NACS Port

Mercedes-Benz has opened US order books for the updated 2027 G 580 Electric, priced from $165,200 with destination included. The electric SUV features native NACS and J1772 charging ports for direct Supercharger access, a reduced 10-to-80-percent DC charging time of 29 minutes, and an increased EPA range of 249 miles.

30.Sep.2026

Mercedes-AMG electric GT SUV will debut on October 17, 2026

Mercedes-AMG is scheduled to unveil its first independently developed electric GT SUV on October 17, 2026, during The 140 Festival in Stuttgart. Built on the dedicated AMG.EA platform with YASA axial-flux electric motors, the high-performance model is slated to begin customer deliveries in early 2027.

17.Sep.2026