Which Mercedes SLK-Class AMG to buy: four generations of Roadster, five catalogue versions, and the numbers that separate them.
The Mercedes SLK-Class AMG in this catalogue is a Roadster with 4 generation records from 2001-01-01 to 2016-12-31. The buy decision is not “AMG or not”: every version here is AMG, Automatic, RWD, gasoline, and front-longitudinal. The split is 3.2 AT (354 hp, 6 cylinders) versus three 5.4 AT V8 compressor cars versus one naturally aspirated 5.5 AT (421 hp).
Which Mercedes SLK-Class AMG to buy: four generations of Roadster, five catalogue versions, and the numbers that separate them.
The Mercedes SLK-Class AMG in this catalogue is a Roadster with 4 generation records from 2001-01-01 to 2016-12-31. The buy decision is not “AMG or not”: every version here is AMG, Automatic, RWD, gasoline, and front-longitudinal. The split is 3.2 AT (354 hp, 6 cylinders) versus three 5.4 AT V8 compressor cars versus one naturally aspirated 5.5 AT (421 hp). The fastest 0–100 is 4.5 s on second-generation 5.4 AT (400 hp); the lowest mixed fuel use is 8.4 on third-generation 5.5 AT; the lightest kerb weight is 1425 on first-generation 3.2 AT. People searching “mercedes slk 350 amg specs”, “mercedes slk 45 amg”, or “mercedes slk 350 amg 0 60” are looking at this family; the version names in the data are only 3.2 AT, 5.4 AT, and 5.5 AT.
Generations: what each production block actually offered
1 generation (2001-01-01–2004-12-31) is one Roadster: 3.2 AT. It is the only 6-cylinder, the only 5-speed Automatic, the only 60-litre tank, and the only 17-inch wheel pair (225/45 R17, 245/40 R17). Compressor, 354 hp, 450 Nm, 5.2 s to 100, top speed 250. If the brief is “smallest engine, lightest car,” this is the only generation that matches.
2 generation (2004-01-01–2011-12-31) is a Roadster with a restyling inside the same generation, not a third generation. Pre-restyling (2004-01-01–2008-12-31) lists 2 versions, both named 5.4 AT: 400 hp and 360 hp. Restyling (2008-01-01–2011-12-31) lists 1 version: 5.4 AT at 360 hp again, with 4 valves per cylinder instead of 3, 98 fuel instead of 95, and kerb weight 1575 instead of 1470. Across the whole second generation the engine family is 5439 cm³, 8 cylinders, V-shaped, Compressor, Distributed injection (multi-point), 7-speed Automatic, RWD, 70-litre tank. The 400 hp car is unique to the pre-restyling window; after 2008-01-01 the catalogue no longer offers it.
3 generation (2012-01-01–2016-12-31) is one Roadster: 5.5 AT. This is the only version with boost No, Direct injection (direct), Euro 5, and a measured CO2 figure (195). Power rises to 421 hp; mixed use falls to 8.4. Kerb weight is the highest here at 1610.
Mercedes SLK-Class AMG engine and specs
| Version | Years | hp (kW @ rpm) | Nm @ rpm | cm³ | Fuel | Cyl. / layout | Valves | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2 AT | 2001–2004 | 354 (260 @ 6800 is not this car: 260 kW @ 6100) | 450 @ 4400 | 3199 | Gasoline, 95 | 6, V-shaped | 3 | Compressor | Automatic, 5 | RWD |
| 5.4 AT (400 hp) | 2004–2008 | 400 (294 @ 5750) | 520 @ 3750 | 5439 | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped | 3 | Compressor | Automatic, 7 | RWD |
| 5.4 AT (360 hp, 2 generation) | 2004–2008 | 360 (265 @ 5750) | 510 @ 4000 | 5439 | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped | 3 | Compressor | Automatic, 7 | RWD |
| 5.4 AT (360 hp, 2 generation restyling) | 2008–2011 | 360 (265 @ 5750) | 510 @ 4000 | 5439 | Gasoline, 98 | 8, V-shaped | 4 | Compressor | Automatic, 7 | RWD |
| 5.5 AT | 2012–2016 | 421 (310 @ 6800) | 540 @ 4500 | 5461 | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped | 4 | No | Automatic, 7 | RWD |
Compression: 3.2 AT 9; both pre-restyling 5.4 AT and restyling 5.4 AT 11; 5.5 AT 12.6. Bore × stroke: 3.2 AT 89.9 × 84; all 5.4 AT 97 × 92; 5.5 AT 98 × 90.5.
Specific output from these figures: 3.2 AT 354 / 3.199 ≈ 110.7 hp per litre — highest in the table, because the compressor is on the smallest displacement. 5.4 AT (400 hp) ≈ 73.5 hp/L; 5.4 AT (360 hp) ≈ 66.2 hp/L; 5.5 AT 421 / 5.461 ≈ 77.1 hp/L. The naturally aspirated 5.5 AT therefore out-specifics the 360 hp compressor V8 and slightly out-specifics the 400 hp compressor V8, while still sitting well below the 3.2-litre compressor six.
Torque density: 3.2 AT 450 / 3.199 ≈ 140.7 Nm/L; 5.4 AT (400) ≈ 95.6 Nm/L; 5.4 AT (360) ≈ 93.8 Nm/L; 5.5 AT ≈ 98.9 Nm/L. Peak torque arrives earliest on 5.4 AT (400 hp) at 3750 rpm, then 5.4 AT (360 hp) at 4000, 3.2 AT at 4400, 5.5 AT at 4500. The 400 hp car is the one that makes its 520 Nm lowest in the rev range.
Performance, 0–100, top speed, and mpg
| Version | 0–100 | Top speed | City | Highway | Mixed | CO2 | Eco |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2 AT | 5.2 | 250 | 15.5 | 7.9 | 10.7 | not measured | not measured |
| 5.4 AT (400 hp) | 4.5 | 280 | 18 | 9 | 12.4 | not measured | not measured |
| 5.4 AT (360 hp, 2004–2008) | 4.9 | 250 | 17.7 | 8.8 | 12 | not measured | not measured |
| 5.4 AT (360 hp, 2008–2011) | 4.9 | 250 | 17.7 | 8.8 | 12 | not measured | not measured |
| 5.5 AT | 4.6 | 250 | 12 | 6.2 | 8.4 | 195 | Euro 5 |
The 400 hp 5.4 AT is 0.4 s quicker to 100 than the 360 hp 5.4 AT (4.9 − 4.5) and 0.7 s quicker than 3.2 AT (5.2 − 4.5). It is also the only version with a 280 top speed — 30 above the 250 cap on every other row.
5.5 AT is 0.1 s slower to 100 than the 400 hp 5.4 AT despite 21 extra horsepower (421 − 400) and 20 extra newton-metres (540 − 520). The trade is weight: kerb 1610 versus 1495, +115. Power-to-weight: 5.4 AT (400 hp) 1495 / 400 = 3.74 kg per hp (best); 5.5 AT 1610 / 421 ≈ 3.82 kg/hp; 3.2 AT 1425 / 354 ≈ 4.03 kg/hp; 5.4 AT (360 hp, 2004–2008) 1470 / 360 ≈ 4.08 kg/hp; restyling 5.4 AT (360 hp) 1575 / 360 ≈ 4.38 kg/hp (worst). The restyle did not change the 360 hp / 510 Nm / 4.9 s / 250 sheet; it added 105 kg (1575 − 1470).
Fuel: mixed 5.5 AT 8.4 versus 5.4 AT (400 hp) 12.4 is 4.0 less per 100; versus 5.4 AT (360 hp) 12.0 is 3.6 less; versus 3.2 AT 10.7 is 2.3 less. City gap versus the 400 hp V8 is 6.0 (18 − 12); highway 2.8 (9 − 6.2). The two 360 hp 5.4 AT rows share identical 17.7 / 8.8 / 12. The first-generation six is thirstier than 5.5 AT and more economical than every compressor V8.
Approximate mixed range from tank ÷ mixed × 100: 3.2 AT 60 / 10.7 × 100 ≈ 561; 5.4 AT (400) 70 / 12.4 × 100 ≈ 565; 5.4 AT (360) 70 / 12 × 100 ≈ 583; 5.5 AT 70 / 8.4 × 100 ≈ 833. The third generation is the only one where the 70-litre tank buys a clearly longer mixed distance.
CO2 and eco class are not measured on 3.2 AT and every 5.4 AT. Only 5.5 AT lists 195 and Euro 5. That is a catalogue gap, not a claim that the earlier cars emit nothing.
Dimensions, weight, tank, wheels
Ground clearance is 150 on every version — no generation changed ride height in this data.
Kerb / gross / payload (gross − kerb):
- 3.2 AT: 1425 / 1775 / 350
- 5.4 AT (400 hp): 1495 / 1831 / 336
- 5.4 AT (360 hp, 2004–2008): 1470 / 1850 / 380 (largest payload)
- 5.4 AT (360 hp, restyling): 1575 / 1850 / 275 (smallest payload; same 1850 gross as the lighter 360 hp car)
- 5.5 AT: 1610 / 1910 / 300
Kerb from first to third generation: 1610 − 1425 = +185. Restyling 5.4 AT (360 hp) is already 150 heavier than first-generation 3.2 AT (1575 − 1425) before the 2012 car adds another 35 (1610 − 1575).
Tank: 60 on 3.2 AT, 70 on all later versions (+10).
Wheels:
- 3.2 AT: 225/45 R17, 245/40 R17
- 5.4 AT (360 hp, both 2004–2008 and restyling): 225/40 R18, 245/35 R18
- 5.4 AT (400 hp): 235/35 R19, 265/30 R19 — only 19-inch pair
- 5.5 AT: 235/40 R18, 255/35 R18
Brakes (English labels as given): all have Ventilated disc front. Rear is Disc on 3.2 AT and 5.5 AT; Disc ventilated on both 360 hp 5.4 AT rows; Ceramic ventilated only on 5.4 AT (400 hp). Suspension is Independent, spring front and rear on every version — not a differentiator.
Mercedes AMG dimensions in the sense of clearance do not move. Mass and wheel diameter do.
Reliability, maintenance, miles — what this data does not measure
Searches such as “are mercedes slk reliable”, “are mercedes slk expensive to maintain”, “how many miles can a mercedes slk last”, and “are mercedes amg engines reliable” have no corresponding figures in the launch data: no service cost, no failure rate, no mileage life. Those are not measured. Do not read silence as “no such issue exists.”
What is measured and relevant to running cost: fuel grade 98 only on restyling 5.4 AT (360 hp); 95 on 3.2 AT, both pre-restyling 5.4 AT, and 5.5 AT. Mixed litres as above. Eco class only on 5.5 AT. There is no price field; “mercedes slk 350 amg for sale” and “price in india” cannot be answered from this catalogue.
Which version to choose
Choose first-generation 3.2 AT (2001–2004) if the priority is mass and engine size. It is the lightest (1425), the only 6-cylinder, the only 5-speed, the only 17-inch wheels, and the highest specific output (≈110.7 hp/L). It is also the slowest 0–100 (5.2), 46 hp below the 400 hp 5.4 AT (400 − 354) and 67 hp below 5.5 AT (421 − 354). Mixed 10.7 beats every compressor V8 and loses to 5.5 AT by 2.3. Tank 60 keeps mixed range close to the thirstier 70-litre V8s (≈561 vs ≈565–583), not to 5.5 AT.
Choose second-generation 5.4 AT (400 hp, 2004–2008) if the priority is the stopwatch and the unique hardware. Best 0–100 (4.5), unique top speed (280), unique Ceramic ventilated rear brakes, unique 19-inch tyres, best kg/hp (3.74), earliest peak torque (3750). Versus the 360 hp 5.4 AT in the same years you gain 40 hp, 10 Nm, 0.4 s, 30 km/h, and you pay +25 kg kerb (1495 − 1470) plus mixed +0.4 (12.4 − 12.0) and city +0.3 (18 − 17.7). Versus later 5.5 AT you are 0.1 s quicker and 115 kg lighter, with 21 hp and 20 Nm less, mixed +4.0, and no Euro 5 / CO2 row. This version is not in the restyling block.
Choose second-generation 5.4 AT (360 hp, 2004–2008) if you want the V8 compressor and 7-speed Automatic without the 400 hp car’s 19-inch / ceramic / 280 package. Same 5439 cm³, 3 valves, 95 fuel as the 400 hp sibling. Best payload in the whole model (380). 0–100 4.9, top 250, mixed 12. Versus restyling 5.4 AT (360 hp) the performance and mpg lines are identical; the pre-restyle car is 105 kg lighter, still 3 valves, still 95 fuel, payload 105 higher (380 − 275).
Choose restyling 5.4 AT (360 hp, 2008–2011) if the 4-valve cylinder head and 98 fuel are the point, and you accept 1575 kerb and 4.38 kg/hp. Power, torque, 0–100, top speed, and the three consumption figures do not change versus the 2004–2008 360 hp 5.4 AT. Gross stays 1850; payload shrinks because the kerb rose. This is the last compressor V8 in the table.
Choose third-generation 5.5 AT (2012–2016) if the brief is peak power, lowest measured fuel use, and the only eco numbers. 421 hp, 540 Nm, boost No, Direct injection (direct), mixed 8.4, city 12, highway 6.2, CO2 195, Euro 5, tank 70. You give up the 4.5 s / 280 / ceramic / 19-inch combination of 5.4 AT (400 hp). You take the highest kerb (1610) and a 0–100 of 4.6 — 0.1 behind that 400 hp car, 0.3 ahead of both 360 hp 5.4 AT rows, 0.6 ahead of 3.2 AT. Versus restyling 5.4 AT (360 hp) you gain 61 hp (421 − 360) and 30 Nm (540 − 510), lose 0.3 s, add 35 kg, and cut mixed use by 3.6.
Arithmetic summary of “what the higher-output row buys” (no prices in the data, so the extra is only in measured kit and figures): 400 hp versus 360 hp 5.4 AT in 2004–2008 buys 40 hp, 10 Nm, 0.4 s, 30 km/h, 19-inch wheels, Ceramic ventilated rears, and 3.74 instead of 4.08 kg/hp, at +25 kg and +0.4 mixed. 5.5 AT versus that 400 hp car buys 21 hp, 20 Nm, 4.0 mixed litres less, Euro 5, and a CO2 number, at +115 kg, −0.1 s, −30 top speed, and a return to Disc rears and 18-inch wheels. 5.5 AT versus 3.2 AT buys 67 hp, 90 Nm (540 − 450), 2 extra gears, 10 extra tank litres, 0.6 s, and 2.3 mixed litres less, at +185 kg and two extra cylinders.
If the search was “mercedes slk 350 amg 2012”, the 2012–2016 catalogue row here is 5.5 AT, not a 350 badge. If the search was “mercedes slk 350 amg 2005” / “2006” / “2009”, the matching years are 5.4 AT — two power levels before the restyling, one 360 hp level after.