A pretty Mercedes-Benz SLK 230 roadster, seen in 2014 in Beijing, capital of China. The coolest thing first: the 京E·60000 license plate. I can’t remember ever seeing another car in China with four zero’s behind the first number. truly unique plate on a relatively rare car.
The first generation Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class (R170) was made from 1996 until 2004 with a facelift in 2000. Our yellow car is an original pre-facelift example. The SLK 230 Kompressor model was powered by a supercharged 2.3 liter four-cylinder petrol engine, good for an output of 190 hp and 280 Nm. The engine was mated to a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic.
The first generation Mercedes-Benz SLK was a roadster with hardtop convertible roof, called the ‘vario-roof’ by Mercedes. At the time the SLK was launched, this was quite an exotic mechanism, and Mercedes has stick with it until today.
The first-gen SLK was not officially sold in China, so they are pretty rare down here. Some arrived via the gray market, others via diplomatic channels. Official sales of the started in 2004 with the second generation SLK.
The 京E·60000 was in a fantastic shape, looking almost as new. The paint had faded a little bit here and there, but really not too much for a car of this age. It was fully original too, with the owner resisting to make any ugly modifications. Even the alloy wheels are period, and perhaps the tires too…
The first generation Mercedes-Benz SLK was a roadster as a roadster should be; compact, not too heavy, a powerful engine up front, with all horses going to the back. Hopefully this car is still alive somewhere!