Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class Roadster · 3rd generation SLK / SLC

R172

The roadster that traded its K for a C.

Production: 2011–2020
Built: 95,977
Renamed: SLK → SLC (2016)
Body: 2-door roadster
Top model: SLC 43

In 2016, Mercedes-Benz retired the SLK name it had used since 1996, rebadging the roadster SLC to align with the rest of the passenger-car range — the car underneath was barely changed.

Launched for 2012 as the third-generation SLK, the R172 carried over the Vario folding hardtop concept one final time, wrapped in sharper, more aggressive styling and offered with four-cylinder, six-cylinder and — in the SLK 55 AMG — naturally aspirated V8 power.

The 2016 facelift brought the SLC name, a fresh nose inspired by the AMG GT, new four-cylinder engines across the line, and the twin-turbocharged SLC 43 in place of the V8; the roadster stayed in production through 2020, the last of the folding-hardtop SLK/SLC line.

R172 interior — A sportier, more driver-focused cabin than the R171 it replaced.

Every model.

10 distinct series across 2012–2020 — from the four-cylinder SLK 200 to the twin-turbo SLC 43, each identified by its chassis, engine and transmission numbers.

Modello	Model year	Telaio	Motore	Cambio	Totale
SLC 250 d	2016–2020	172.404	651.980	725.018	incluso sopra
SLK 250 CDI	2012–2015	172.403	651.980	711.670 · 722.908 · 725.011 · 725.014	17,990
SLC 180	2016–2020	172.431	274.910	725.008	incluso sopra
SLC 200	2016–2020	172.434	274.920	725.008	incluso sopra
SLC 300	2016–2020	172.438	274.920	725.008	incluso sopra
SLK 200	2012–2015	172.448	271.861	711.655 · 722.997	54,671
SLK 250	2012–2015	172.447	271.861	711.653 · 722.997	23,316
SLC 43	2016–2020	172.466	276.822	725.018	incluso sopra
SLK 350	2012–2015	172.457	276.956	722.906	incluso sopra
SLK 55 AMG	2012–2015	172.475	152.980	722.909	incluso sopra

* Il dato di produzione pubblicato copre tutte le serie di quel modello; la fonte non lo scompone ulteriormente.

722.9x 7G-Tronic 7-speed automatic725x 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic711x 6-speed manual

Sharper, more aggressive styling marked the third-generation SLK/SLC.

Year by year.

From the 2011 launch to the 2020 Final Edition — the changes that matter when dating an SLK or SLC, including the 2016 rename.

2012
- Third-generation SLK launches (European sales from March 2011): SLK 200, SLK 250 and SLK 350 BlueEFFICIENCY, with the panoramic Vario-roof and MAGIC SKY CONTROL smart glass as options.
- SLK 250 CDI introduced — the first diesel in an SLK (orders from September 2011).
- SLK 55 AMG on sale from January 2012: naturally aspirated M152 V8 with AMG cylinder management and SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-Tronic.
2014
- AMG Sports package renamed AMG Line; minor revisions to standard equipment.
2016
- Mid-cycle refresh (presented December 2015, launched March 2016 for the SLK’s 20th anniversary): SLK renamed SLC, with an AMG GT-inspired nose.
- New four-cylinder line-up — SLC 180, SLC 200 and SLC 300; the diesel becomes the SLC 250 d; 9G-Tronic replaces 7G-Tronic.
- Twin-turbo SLC 43 replaces the V8 SLK 55 AMG as the range-topper.
2018
- SLC 43 output raised from 367 to 390 PS.
2020
- SLC 300 Final Edition closes out production — the last of the folding-hardtop SLK/SLC line, with no direct successor.

R172 rear three-quarter view — The 2016 facelift brought an AMG GT-inspired nose and the SLC name.

Four cylinders to a naturally aspirated V8.

Turbocharged fours, two very different V6s, the SLK 55 AMG’s naturally aspirated V8 — and the first diesel ever fitted to an SLK.

M271

I4 turbo

271.861 (SLK 200)1.8 L · 1,796 cc
184 PS
135 kW · 181 hp a 5,250 giri/min
250 N·m
184 lb·ft a 1,800 giri/min
271.861 (SLK 250)1.8 L · 1,796 cc
204 PS
150 kW · 201 hp a 5,500 giri/min
310 N·m
229 lb·ft a 2,000 giri/min

M274

I4 turbo

274.9101.6 L · 1,595 cc
156 PS
115 kW · 154 hp a 5,300 giri/min
250 N·m
184 lb·ft a 1,250 giri/min
274.920 (SLC 200)2.0 L · 1,991 cc
184 PS
135 kW · 181 hp a 5,250 giri/min
300 N·m
221 lb·ft a 1,200 giri/min
274.920 (SLC 300)2.0 L · 1,991 cc
245 PS
180 kW · 242 hp a 5,500 giri/min
370 N·m
273 lb·ft a 1,300 giri/min

M276

276.9563.5 L · 3,498 cc
306 PS
225 kW · 302 hp a 6,500 giri/min
370 N·m
273 lb·ft a 3,500 giri/min
276.822 (SLC 43 biturbo)3.0 L · 2,996 cc
367 PS
270 kW · 362 hp a 6,000 giri/min
520 N·m
384 lb·ft a 2,000 giri/min

M152

152.9805.5 L · 5,461 cc
422 PS
310 kW · 416 hp a 6,800 giri/min
540 N·m
398 lb·ft a 4,500 giri/min

OM651

I4 diesel

651.9802.1 L · 2,143 cc
204 PS
150 kW · 201 hp a 4,200 giri/min
500 N·m
369 lb·ft a 1,600 giri/min

Original brochures.

Factory sales literature for the SLK and SLC, exactly as it left the dealership — free to download as PDF.

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