Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class R171

The R171 is the second generation of the Mercedes-Benz SLK, a two-seater roadster with a retractable hardtop, a front engine and rear-wheel drive, made from 2004 until 2011. It was unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show and sold in North America for the 2004 to 2010 model years. Compared with the R170 it has a 30 millimetre longer wheelbase, 40 percent more high strength steel, a seven-speed automatic and a Vario roof that folds in 22 seconds instead of 25. A neck-level heating system built into the headrests, called Airscarf, was an option. The concept behind it, the Vision SLA, was shown in Detroit in January 2000, and the SLK 55 AMG carried a 5.4 litre V8.