MERCEDES BENZ SLK AMG Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

The German carmaker introduced the most powerful version of the third-generation SLK in 2012, fitted with a mighty 5.5-liter V8 under the hood, but that wasn't all!

The SLK began as a sporty-looking roadster with a retractable hard-top that could completely disappear in a mere 20 seconds behind the cabin, but it was powered by low-powered engines. Meanwhile, the smallest roadster in Mercedes-Benz's lineup evolved. Apart from other AMG-treated versions, the 2012 version shined at its best when it appeared on the market.

Mercedes-Benz managed to hide the humble appearance of the SLK's first generation. Instead, with the AMG-tuned version, the 2012 version came very boldly. Its front fascia sported a reversed trapezoidal grille crossed by a chromed horizontal slat. Underneath, in the lower bumper, the A-shaped grille was flanked on the sides by two scoops that cooled the front brakes and hosted the LED daytime running lights as well. From its profile, the multi-spoke AMG alloy wheels and the functional exhaust vent on the front fenders confirmed the car's sports-oriented character. At the back, a quad exhaust system flanked the rear diffuser placed under the bumper.

The cabin was fit for two occupants hosted in high-bolstered seats separated by a tall center console. In front of them, the dashboard featured four round vents, an infotainment screen above the center stack, and two individual clusters for the dials.

Under the hood, Mercedes-Benz installed a 5.5-liter, naturally aspirated V8 provided by AMG. It was paired as standard with a seven-speed automatic transmission that sent the power to the rear wheels.

After a few years and a big impact on the sport-compact premium segment, the SLK 55 AMG received a facelifted version in 2008.

The improvements were needed, the engine had to be reworked since there were new emission regulations that started in 2008. As a result, Mercedes-Benz decided to change more elements, not only to improve the V8 unit under the hood.

From the outside, the 2008 model was introduced with a new apron in the front, with a pronounced trapezoidal-shaped, middle grille. A new set of light-alloy wheels were installed, with improved design and better cooling capability. The taillights were changed, with a clear middle line for the reversing lights. The non-facelifted version featured smoked lenses.

The interior was slightly updated, with a new steering wheel and a new center console. Behind it, two aluminum shift-paddles were installed for manually change the gears. For the center display, between the tachometer and speedometer, there was a new function. In “M” mode, the AMG main menu was able to display the selected gear, including an upshift indicator, as well as the engine oil temperature, the battery voltage, or the RACETIMER feature, which kept records of the lap-times.

Under the hood, there was a revised version of the 5.4-liter unit to comply with the new, 2008, emission regulations from Europe. The AMG announced that the new software for the 7-Speed gearbox was 10% faster than before.

Forget the SLK 55 AMG when you are looking at an SLK 55 AMG Black Series. Apart from some regular parts, the Black Series was a completely different car, from top to bottom.

The Mercedes-Benz decided to take off its gloves when it designed the Black Series. Gone were the comfort features and other things that made the SLK a comfortable ride over a bumpy road. The SLK 55 AMG was something not to mess around with and it was used as a safety car on some races around the world, and that meant it had to be fast. Very fast!

The bodywork was similar to the SLK 55 AMG, but with a different front bumper and featured new air-intakes in it to cool the brakes. There was a new design for the wheels as well. And, on top of that, the carbon-fiber roof from the non-removable hard-top completely changed the car. That's right: unlike the rest of the SLKs lineup, the Black Series was no longer a convertible. By ditching the folding mechanism and other items related to it, the car was lighter and the center of gravity was lower.

Inside, the carbon fiber was installed on the dashboard and it was used as trims on the doors, and handbrake. The fixed-back carbon fiber sport-bucket seats offered very good support while hard cornering. The fully adjustable suspension made that possible, giving the car a higher level of grip.

Under the hood, there was the same 5.4-liter unit from the SLK 55 AMG, a naturally aspirated V8. It offered 400 hp and it was mated to a standard 7-speed automatic (double-clutch) gearbox. There was an option for a limited-slip differential in the back, especially for those who were daring enough to take the car on the track, where it belonged.

After the introduction of the successful 5.5-liter AMG engine on other models from Mercedes-Benz, the German car-maker squeezed the big V8 unit inside the engine bay of the SLK model.

The second generation of the SLK was introduced in 2004 at the Geneva Motor Show. Unlike other models, it was announced right from the start to be offered in an AMG version. But the car-maker didn't go for a small, and somehow predictable, V6 unit. It went all the way to a big V8 engine.

From the outside, the SLK 55 AMG showed its muscles on the wider fenders and with a special front bumper and aerodynamically profiled apron, which was not just for show. It featured special air intakes on the center and on the sides to cool the engine and the brakes. But it didn't feature any bulges on the hood to express its power. In the back, a lip-spoiler in body-color was installed on top of the trunk. Underneath the rear bumper, the car featured four chromed exhausts.

Inside, it was the same SLK vehicle, but with sport-bucket seats that featured ample bolstering. The new, four-buttons, steering wheel from the C-Class Sport-Coupe was installed on the car, but with a pair of paddle-shifters behind it. The instrument cluster featured the AMG V8 writing on the tachometer.

The SLK 55 AMG featured the naturally aspirated 5.4-liter engine mated to a 7G-Tronic automatic gearbox. Unlike the other 55 AMG models from the Mercedes-Benz stable, the SLK was not supercharged.

In the 2000, Mercedes-Benz decided to do a facelift for its small coupe-cabriolet SLK. In the same time, it throw on the market the SLK 32 AMG version, which was a different kind of roadster. Compared to it other siblings, it looked just like a trim level. It had 17” light-alloy wheels fitted as standard, oval pipes in the rear and bigger front and rear bumper. On top of that, it added a small lip on top of the trunk lid. But the differences were higher than that.

Inside the cabin there were two bucket seats and a new instrument cluster. Some interior decorations could have suggest that is just a trim level.

The rear changes were underneath the vehicle. In front, there was a 3.2-liter V6 engine supercharged by a Japanese IHI helical unit, unlike his other siblings that had a Root type. The new unit only operated when the driver hit the gas. It is barely noticeable when it pumped in or not. The broad engine torque which was between 2200 rpm and 6100 rpm means that it could pull hard and long.

The 5-GTronic gearbox was recalibrated and tuned for the SLK 32 AMG and it was the only gearbox available. It also had a manual changing program, but enhanced by the AMG. A different final drive ratio was available from special AMG option list, tuned for high speed. The standard model was better for daily use, on speeds up to 250 kph (155 mph).