1998-2004 Mercedes-Benz SLK: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Mercedes-Benz had something different on tap for 1998: a 2-passenger sports car with a supercharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine. Instead of a soft top, however, the SLK230 had a metal roof that powered down into the trunk for stowage, at the touch of a button. The trunklid opened forward for cargo, and tilted from the rear to raise or lower the top--a task that took about 25 seconds. This was Mercedes's answer to the "retro roadster" craze that began with the Mazda Miata and was later picked up by the BMW Z3 and Porsche Boxster. In German, SLK stands for sporty, light, and compact. Surprisingly, design work on the SLK stemmed from the compact C-Class sedan. A "Kompressor" badge on the front fenders indicated the presence of the supercharged engine. Only a 5-speed automatic transmission was offered. Standard features included door-mounted side airbags, antilock brakes, and traction control. A "BabySmart" feature automatically deactivated the right-side airbags when a special Mercedes child seat was installed. Rivals included the BMW Z3, Chevrolet Corvette, and Porsche Boxster.