Mercedes-Benz R172

Mercedes-Benz R172^[1]

Manufacturer	Daimler AG
Production	2011–
Assembly	Bremen, Germany
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz R171
Class	Sports car, Roadster
Body style	2-door retractable hardtop

The R172 represents the third generation of Mercedes-Benz SLK, and was launched in January 2011 with international sales starting spring 2011. Replacing the R171, the R172 continues the small luxury roadster concept that was initiated by the first SLK launched in 1996. The design follows the themes of both the first and second generation, but shares a new front look that is similar to the Mercedes-Benz SLS.^[2]

The third generation continues with the two-piece metal folding roof known as a Vario Roof, and also comes with the option of "Magic Sky Control" which turns a glass panel in the roof from transparent to opaque.

Model range

The launch range includes two 1.8 L engines in two states of tune, the SLK 200 with 184 bhp (137 kW; 187 PS) and the SLK 250 with 204 bhp (152 kW; 207 PS). The SLK 350 features a new Mercedes 3.5 L V6 direct-injection engine producing 306 bhp (228 kW; 310 PS) with seven-speed automatic and a stop-start feature.^[3] An AMG version has been announced using a detuned, naturally aspirated version of the M157 called the M152.^[4] The engine produces 422hp (310kW) and can propel the SLK 55 AMG to 60mph in 4.6 seconds.^[5]

Performance^[6]

Model	Years	0-100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration (second)	Top speed
SLK 200	2011–	7.0	240 km/h (150 mph)
SLK 200 automatic	2011–	7.0	237 km/h (147 mph)
SLK 250 automatic	2011–	6.6	243 km/h (151 mph)
SLK 350 automatic	2011–	5.6	250 km/h (160 mph)
SLK 55 AMG automatic	2012-	4.6	250 km/h (160 mph)

References

1. ^ 21 May 2010 (2010-05-21). "Autocar 21 May 2010". Autocar.co.uk. http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/Mercedes-Benz-SLK/249851/. Retrieved 2011-06-02. 
2. ^ "Car and Driver January 2011". Caranddriver.com. http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car/11q1/2012_mercedes-benz_slk-class-official_photos_and_info. Retrieved 2011-06-02. 
3. ^ Tuesday, March 01, 2011 (2011-03-01). "Autocar 13 January 2011". Autocar.co.uk. http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/254855/. Retrieved 2011-06-02. 
4. ^ "Mercedes-Benz details new variable-displacement V8 for SLK55 AMG". Autoblog. 2011-7-21. http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/21/mercedes-benz-details-new-variable-displacement-v8-for-slk55-amg. Retrieved 2011-07-24. 
5. ^ "2012 Mercedes Benz SLK 55 AMG". AUSmotive.com. http://www.ausmotive.com/2011/08/22/2012-mercedes-benz-slk-55-amg.html. Retrieved 2011-08-22. 
6. ^ "Daimler Media 13 January 2011". Media.daimler.com. http://media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-921-1343398-1-1359611-1-0-0-0-0-1-11817-854934-0-1-0-0-0-0-0.html?TS=1295284150912. Retrieved 2011-06-02.