The Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class belongs in the compact executive class, representing a hybrid of E-Class design and styling and C-Class mechanicals, placing it between the C and CL-Class. Mercedes-Benz produced this front-engine rear-wheel-drive vehicle in 2-door coupé and 2-door convertible variants. It was in production from 1997 to 2010 and merged back into the E-Class and C-Class after its discontinuation.
First Generation (1997-2003)
The W208 and C208 (coupé) were built for a niche market, featuring luxurious E-Class components but based on the cheaper C-Class platform. Through production, CLK sold 209,382 cars in Europe and 66,431 in the US, for a total of 275,813.
Trim levels available were Elegance, Avantgarde, AMG and Sport.
- Elegance options feature ABS, alarm, alloy wheels, driver/passenger/side airbags, power mirrors, power windows, heated mirrors, height-adjustable driver's seat, PAS, remote locking, service indicator, steering wheel reach adjustment, traction control
- Avantgarde adds audio remote, body-coloured bumpers, CD, cruise control, power driver's and passenger's seat, front fog lights, steering wheel rake adjustment
- Sports adds air conditioning, cloth seat trim, leather seat trim, and metallic paint
- AMG adds an audio remote, CD, CD multi-changer, climate control, cruise control, power driver's and passenger's seat, front fog lights, full-size spare wheel, headlight washers, heated seats, leather seat trim, lumbar support, metallic paint, steering wheel rake adjustment
Powertrain options are limited to petrol engines only, ranging from 2.0L up to 5.4L in the AMG version. They were paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission exclusively. In Australia, the following options were available:
- CLK200 2.0L, 16V I4, petrol engine producing 100kW (134hp) and 190Nm of torque, 0-100km/h acceleration in 11.0 seconds, a 5-speed automatic transmission
- CLK230 Kompressor 2.3L, 16V I4, supercharged petrol engine producing 145kW (194hp) and 280Nm of torque, 0-100km/h acceleration in 8.1 seconds, a 5-speed automatic transmission
- CLK320 3.2L, 18V V6, petrol engine producing 165kW (221hp) and 315Nm of torque, 0-100km/h acceleration in 7.4 seconds, a 5-speed automatic transmission
- CLK430 4.3L, 24V V8, petrol engine producing 205kW (275hp) and 400Nm of torque, 0-100km/h acceleration in 6.0 seconds, a 5-speed automatic transmission
- CLK55 AMG 5.4L, 24V V8, petrol engine producing 255kW (342hp) and 510Nm of torque, 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.4 seconds, a 5-speed automatic transmission
Second Generation (2002-2010)
Based on the W203 C-Class platform, the new CLK debuted at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show. It uses rack-and-pinion steering rather than the recirculating ball used on the first generation. It also uses an aluminium real multi-link suspension and a three-link front suspension. The second generation sold 245,194 cars in EU and 127,627 in the US throughout production, for a total of 372,821.
In 2004 it received handling improvements, DVD-based COMAND-APS system, and centre console layout update.
In 2005 a facelift version was introduced, with changes to the front and rear bumpers, grille and taillights. New 7G-Tronic automatic transmission replaced the 5G-Tronic, while newer models replaced CLK240, CLK320, and CLK55 AMG
In 2006, Mercedes-Benz introduced CLK500 and CLK63 AMG, as well as Sports and AMG Sports trim levels.
Trim levels available were Elegance, Avantgarde, Sport and AMG Sport:
- Elegance equipment includes ABS, alarm, alloy wheels, audio remote, CD, climate control, cruise control, driver/passenger/side airbags, power mirrors, front fog lights, headlight washers, heated mirrors, remote locking, service indicator, space-saving spare wheel, steering wheel reach and rake adjustment, traction control
- Avantgarde adds more luxurious options, such as CD multi-changer, partial or full leather seat trim
- Sport and AMG Sport add sports seats on top of previous options
Powertrain options feature three diesel variants this time, none of which are available in Australia. Petrol engines receive updates and changes to a larger range, from 1.8L to 6.2L in the 63 AMG version. In Australia, the following options were available:
- CLK200 Kompressor 1.8L I4, supercharged petrol engine producing 120kW (161hp) at 5500rpm and 240Nm of torque at 3500rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 9.9 seconds, a 5-speed automatic transmission
- CLK200 Kompressor 1.8L I4, supercharged petrol engine producing 135kW (181hp) at 5500rpm and 240Nm of torque at 2800rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 9.1 seconds, a 5-speed automatic transmission
- CLK240 2.6L V6, petrol engine producing 125kW (168hp) at 4500rpm and 240Nm of torque at 4500rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 9.5 seconds, a 5-speed automatic transmission
- CLK320 3.2L V6, petrol engine producing 160kW (215hp) at 5700rpm and 300Nm of torque at 2500rpm, a 5-speed automatic transmission
- CLK350 3.5L V6, petrol engine producing 200kW (268hp) at 6000rpm and 350Nm of torque at 2400-5000rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 6.2 seconds, a 7-speed automatic transmission
- CLK500 5.0L V8, producing 225kW (302hp) at 5600rpm and 460Nm of torque at 2700-4250rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 6.0 seconds, a 7-speed automatic transmission
- CLK550 5.5L V8, producing 285kW (382hp) at 6000rpm and 530Nm of torque at 2800-4800rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.2 seconds, a 7-speed automatic transmission
- CLK55 AMG 5.4L V8, petrol engine producing 270kW (262hp) at 5750rpm and 510Nm of torque at 4000rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.2 seconds, a 5-speed automatic transmission
- CLK63 AMG 6.2L V8, producing 354kW (475hp) at 6800rpm and 630Nm of torque at 5000rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 4.6 seconds, a 7-speed automatic transmission
Author: Luka Kusic