Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG 2013

History and background

The Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG belongs to the third generation of the SLK series, referred to internally as R172, which entered the market in 2011. The SLK was introduced by Mercedes-Benz in 1996 as a compact roadster with steel vario-roof, a construction that distinguished the model from the outset from many traditional soft-top convertibles. Within the Mercedes range, the SLK thus occupied a position as a relatively compact, technically sophisticated open two-seater, intended as an accessible sporty car with everyday convenience.

The SLK 55 AMG constituted the top version in this generation. AMG delivered a version based on the SLK with an emphasis on higher performance and its own technical and visual identity. Throughout its model history, the SLK remained comparatively a modest model in terms of numbers, but the model had a distinct place within the Mercedes-Benz lineup due to its combination of coupe-like roof design, compact dimensions and a specific AMG variant. The 2013 SLK 55 AMG belongs to the period in which Mercedes-AMG continued to evolve from tuner and sports division to a full-fledged manufacturer of its own performance models.

Within the compact roadster market, the Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG distinguished itself by its positioning as an eight-cylinder version in a segment in which many competitors had to rely on six-cylinder or four-cylinder models. This gave the car its own place among conventional sporty roadsters and larger grand tourers. For the 2013 model year, the SLK 55 AMG falls into the phase in which Mercedes-Benz more emphatically modernized the SLK, focusing on safety, comfort and roof design, among other things, while AMG emphasized a more pronounced technical interpretation.

Characteristics and features

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG was registered in South Korea. In that country, people also drive on the right, so the headlight arrangement, directional lights and rear fog light are suitable for use on the European side of the road. That makes this version technically suitable for the European market. This is thus a detail that is particularly important within the vehicle design and lighting adjustment.

In the SLK 55 AMG, the AMG signature is characteristic of the model. In this generation, the car came as a roadster with a steel folding roof, distinguishing the model from classic open sports cars. Within the range, the SLK 55 AMG was known as the most powerful version and as the version in which the AMG tuning was most strongly expressed. In terms of model history, this is relevant because the SLK in AMG form fulfilled a distinct role as a compact, technically specific sports car within the Mercedes-Benz program.

Summary


The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG is an AMG version within the third-generation SLK, featuring the characteristic steel folding roof design and an origin that is consistent with use in a right-hand drive country. The lighting is tuned for European use. To get a good idea of the lot, we recommend coming to the viewing day.