SLK 280

STORY

Launched in 1996, the SLK made open-top Mercedes motoring more affordable and spread one of the best convertible ideas of its era: the folding metal roof. Its "Vario-roof" tucked a solid steel top into the boot at the touch of a button. In around 25 seconds the little two-seater changed from the security and refinement of a coupé to the freedom of a roadster.

The name spelled out its brief: Sportlich, Leicht, Kurz (sporty, light, short). The compact first-generation R170, with a supercharged four-cylinder engine, was aimed squarely at rivals like the BMW Z3 and Porsche Boxster. Later generations grew more powerful and more polished, ending with very powerful AMG versions.

It was eventually renamed SLC to align it with the C-Class, with which it shared parts. The model made the retractable hardtop a mainstream feature and gave Mercedes an affordable, stylish roadster for two decades.