Mercedes SLK celebrates its 25th birthday: Looking back at the Lorinser R171!

When the first Mercedes SLK was presented in 1996, the innovative metal folding roof roadster immediately emerged as a bestseller. Things got really sporty in the 2nd generation with the "F1 nose" at the latest. After a total of three editions and renaming to SLC, 2020 was over - because the demand for open cars is falling worldwide. There should still be enough fans, so why not grab a neat used car from the last model R 172 built or just keep it as the proud owner? The PowerModules from Sportervice Lorinser help against the ever rampant “performance inflation”.

Mercedes SLK celebrates its 25th birthday

It starts with the SLC 180, which was delivered with 156 hp / 115 kW and 250 Nm. Sportservice Lorinser turns this into 185 HP / 136 kW and 312 Nm. After all, the level of the next larger 200 is already reached. As standard, this has an output of 184 hp / 135 kW and 300 Nm. In order to preserve the model hierarchy, the corresponding PowerModule provides 209 PS / 154 kW and 360 Nm. The petrol engine with the legendary number 300 at the rear climbs into the ring with 245 HP / 180 kW and 350 Nm in its factory condition. A little "extra training" can still do no harm. Sportservice Lorinser achieves an impressive 276 HP / 203 kW and 427 Nm. Not enough power yet? According to the original brochure, the AMG SLC 43 has 367 hp / 270 kW and 520 Nm. The Lorinser catalog has other numbers ready: Power-modulated 442 HP / 325 kW and 599 Nm are written here.

"43" also with 452 HP / 332 kW and 612 Nm

In the course of its history, however, the "43" was also available with 390 hp / 287 kW and 520 Nm. Here, of course, Lorinser gets a little more out of it: 452 HP / 332 kW and 612 Nm are available after inserting the PowerModule. However, the SLC was also available as a 250 d with a lot of diesel punch: 204 HP / 150 kW meet an impressive 500 Nm in the production version. Lorinser of course sharpened a little and released 241 HP / 177 kW and 584 Nm. By the way: Anyone who still owns a "real SLK" from the R 172 series before the renaming can find matching Lorinser PowerModules for the 200 and 250 petrol and the 250 CDI at www.lorinser.com/Sportservice. The unit price for all previously mentioned performance enhancements is 1.499 euros plus installation.

second generation of the SLK - also popular

The second generation of the SLK also still has many fans. Sportservice Lorinser no longer offers components here, but how about an SLK 200 compressor built in 2004 as a complete vehicle for 18.800 euros? The example offered by Lorinser Classic's “oldtimer colleagues” only has 60.429 kilometers on the clock. In addition to the RS5 alloy wheels, an extensive aerodynamics package is installed: front and rear aprons, fenders with ventilation grille, side skirts, rear lip. There is also a sports exhaust and lowering kit. The interior shines with a custom-made blue-black leather interior with diamond quilting, which includes seats and door panels. With so much cool extravagance you can even forgive the 163 series horsepower (120 kW).

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Mercedes SLK celebrates its 25th birthday: A look back at the Lorinser R171 from 2004 - more power for the 3rd generation
Photo credit: Sports Service Lorinser GmbH

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