jgl1 wrote:

The "K" in SLK and CLK is NOT derived from nor stands for
"Kompact" or "Kompressor"; it comes from the German word "Kurz, meaning "short". Daimler-Benz employed this designation to differentiate short wheel base vehicles from their standard wheel base siblings (i.e., SL vs. SLK; CL vs. CLK).
The SLK, initially offered Stateside with only the "Kompressor" engine, has always been available in Europe with a choice of normally aspirated or "Kompressor" engines. Again, the "K" referred to the wheel base, not the engine.

jgl1 is so right

The K designation was the work of Dr. Porsche who, in 1926, reduced the wheelbase of an existing car (someone fill me in here on which one it was) to 140 inches. Perhaps the confusion lies in the fact that it had a turbocharged engine. This car was then further modified for the racetrack and the designation S was added making it the SK. This car was capable of 250hp!

Kuan