The third generation of the compact premium Mercedes-Benz SLK-class roadster (with in-plant marking "R172") was born in January 2011, and its full-scale premiere took place in March of the same year at the stands of the International Geneva Motor Show.
After the next "reincarnation" the car became more brutal in appearance and more luxurious inside, "moved" to a completely new platform and received a wide range of equipment.
The two-door car continued its serial "career" until December 2015 - it was then that ... no - it did not change its generation, but was renamed "SLC-Class" during the internal rebranding of the German brand.
It is a premium compact hardtop roadster that measures 4134 mm long, 1301 mm high and 1810 mm wide. A 2430 mm gap fits between the pairs of wheels of the sports car, and under the bottom it has a 150 mm ground clearance.
In "combat" form, the "German" weighs from 1435 to 1590 kg, depending on the level of performance.
A wide range of power plants is offered for the second generation Mercedes-Benz SLK:
- The gasoline part consists of four-cylinder turbo engines with a working volume of 1.8-2.0 liters with in-line design and direct injection, developing 184-245 horsepower and 300-370 Nm of torque, and a 3.5-liter V6 engine with a direct "power" system, which generates 306 h.p. and 370 Nm of peak thrust.
- The diesel range includes a 2.1-liter inline-four with turbocharging, battery injection and 16-valve timing, generating 204 horsepower and 500 Nm of available potential.
The entire power reserve from the engines "falls" on the rear wheels by means of a 6-speed "mechanics" or a 7-band "automatic".
Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h takes 5.6-7.3 seconds for a two-door, and its maximum capabilities do not exceed 237-250 km / h.
In the combined mode, petrol versions of the car consume 6.1-7.1 liters of fuel for each "hundred", and diesel - 4.7-5 liters.
The third "release" of the Mercedes-Benz SLK-class is built on a rear-wheel drive platform with a longitudinally based engine and body, in the power structure of which high-strength steels are extensively involved.
The front of the roadster is supported by an independent McPherson suspension, while the rear is supported by a multi-link system. There are three variations of the chassis design for the machine:
- standard - with conventional springs;
- sports - with more stringent settings;
- adaptive - with self-adjusting rigidity.
The car is equipped with ventilated disc brakes "in a circle" with ABS and EBD, as well as rack and pinion steering with hydraulic booster.
In the secondary market of Russia, the third generation Mercedes-Benz SLK in 2017 is offered at a price of ~ 1 million rubles.
The positive qualities of the roadster are: beautiful appearance, luxurious interior, reliable design, powerful and economical engines, excellent driving performance, rich functionality, etc.
As for its shortcomings, they include: stiff suspension, expensive maintenance, low ground clearance and some other points.
