what does the k in"SLK" stand for?

[mlc]

I hope someone can help,

I have a 350SL, which I think stands for "sports lightweight". Assuming that to be correct does anyone know what SLK stands for, as in 230SLK.

Thanks in advance.

Mark
1972 350SL
1997 230SLK

 

[panason1c]

Kompressor??

 

[bazza]

SL translates to Sports Light and the K stands for Kurzschluß or short/small.
i.e. SLK is a smaller SL, CLK is a smaller CL


Bazza

 

[guydewdney]

then why is there a clk soft top, and no CL soft top..

clk = e class coupe imho (my mum had one - i hated it...)

 

[mlc]

thanks for the quick response. Not sure that it helps. We have always refered to the SL as "the mercedes" now we have the SLK as well I am not sure if Mrs C. will want it to be known as "the short SL", or "the little Mercedes", maybe we will have to call them the white car and the silver car!

Thanks again
Mark

 

[bazza]

W208 CLK is based on the previous generation C-Class, just a clever ploy to make it look like the more expensive E-Class.

The CL and CLK are primarily coupe's, plus the CL would take sales from the SL

Bazza

 

[nodger]

SL translates to Sports Light and the K stands for Kurzschluß or short/small.
i.e. SLK is a smaller SL, CLK is a smaller CL


Bazza

The 'kurz' refers to the shorter wheelbase.

 

[television]

From a internatial reading point it means

S = sportlich for sport
L = leicht for light
k = kompakt for compact

Malcolm

 

[Chazchuzzlewitt]

From the way I often see them being driven, I thought the 'K' maybe stood for something else...

 

[television]

If we take the L (leicht) in SL then wieghing in at 1930 kg (With glass roof) all known words go out of the window.

Malcolm