| Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|
| Production | 1996–2009 |
| Assembly | Bremen, Germany Monterrey, Mexico |
| Predecessor | Mercedes-Benz E-Class (C124/A124) |
| Successor | Mercedes-Benz E-Class (C207/A207) |
| Class | Mid-size grand tourer |
| Body style | 2-door coupé 2-door convertible |
| Layout | FR layout |
The Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class is a mid-size rear-wheel drive coupé/convertible (Coupe Leicht Kurz or Coupe/Light/Short). While it was based on the W202 and W203 platforms of the C-Class, its styling cues, engine, and price range are closer to that of the E-Class, with Mercedes-Benz slotting the CLK as a coupé version of the W210 and W211 E-Class sedan/wagon. The CLK succeeded the W124 E-Class Coupe and it was in turn replaced by the C207 E-class Coupe. [1][2]
|
| Production | 1996–2002 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L 134 horsepower (100 kW)I4 2.0L Kompressor 189 horsepower (141 kW)I4 2.3L Kompressor 220 horsepower (160 kW)I4 3.2L 215 horsepower (160 kW) V6 4.3L 300 horsepower (220 kW) V8 5.4L 367 hp V8 |
| Transmission | 4 or 5-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 105.9 in (2,690 mm) |
| Length | 2000–02: 180.3 in (4,580 mm) 1998–99: 180.2 in (4,577 mm) |
| Width | 67.8 in (1,722 mm) |
| Height | 2000–02 convertible: 54.3 in (1,379 mm) 2000–02 coupe: 54.0 in (1,372 mm) 1998–99: 53.0 in (1,346 mm) |
| Related | Mercedes-Benz C-Class Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR |
The first-generation CLK was introduced in 1996, 3 years after the 1st generation (W202) C-Class model. The launch of the CLK also marked Mercedes' first foray into the mid-sized coupe market, as the W124 E-Class Coupe was considered a two-door sedan rather than a coupe.
Less expensive than the sporty SL-Class convertibles, the first generation CLK cabriolet was the most successful convertible Mercedes-Benz ever offered; 41,520 were sold in the United States from 1999 to 2003, and more than 115,000 were sold throughout the world.
Versions offered in the first generation were the CLK 200 (136 metric horsepower (100 kW; 134 bhp)), CLK 200 Kompressor (163 metric horsepower (120 kW; 161 bhp)), CLK 230 Kompressor (193 metric horsepower (142 kW; 190 bhp) and new motor with 197 metric horsepower (145 kW; 194 bhp)), CLK 320 (218 metric horsepower (160 kW; 215 bhp)), CLK 430 (279 metric horsepower (205 kW; 275 bhp)) and the CLK 55 AMG (372 metric horsepower (274 kW; 367 bhp)). All were available in both coupé and convertible form.
The CLK 320 Coupé was introduced in the 1997 model year, powered by a 3.2 L V6 engine. The CLK GTR racing coupé appeared in 1998, powered by a 6.9 L V12 engine, along with the production of 25 road-going CLK GTRs. The CLK 320 Cabriolet and the 4.3 L V8-powered CLK 430 appeared in 1999. The high-performance CLK 55 AMG, which was introduced first in Europe in 2000, was powered by the "M113" 5.4 L V8 engine. The CLK 55 AMG cabriolet became available in 2002, the last year of this body style.
In 1999 for the 2000 model year, a facelift was launched with side-view mirror-mounted turn signals and a new steering wheel.
| Production | 2002–2009 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.8L 184 horsepower (137 kW) I4 2.1L 150 horsepower (110 kW) CDI diesel I4 3.0L 224 horsepower (167 kW) CDI diesel V6 3.0L 231 horsepower (172 kW) V6 3.2L 218 horsepower (163 kW) V6 3.5L 268 horsepower (200 kW) V6 5.0L 302 horsepower (225 kW) V8 5.4L 362 horsepower (270 kW) V8 5.5L 382 horsepower (285 kW) V8 6.2L 475 horsepower (354 kW) V8 |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic 7-speed automatic 6-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 106.9 in (2,715 mm) |
| Length | 2006–present: 183.2 in (4,653 mm) 2003–05: 182.6 in (4,638 mm) |
| Width | 68.5 in (1,740 mm) |
| Height | Convertible: 54.4 in (1,382 mm) Coupe: 55.4 in (1,407 mm) AMG Coupe: 55.7 in (1,415 mm) |
| Related | Mercedes-Benz C-Class Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class |
The CLK coupé was redesigned for 2003, with the cabriolet following in 2004. The current generation of the CLK-Class is 61 mm (2.4 in) longer, 18 mm (0.7 in) wider and 28 mm (1.1 in) higher than its predecessor.
In Europe there was also the CLK 200 K (1.8 R4), CLK 220 CDI (2.1 I4 diesel), CLK 240 (2.6 V6), CLK 270 CDI (2.7 R5 diesel), CLK 280 (3.0 V6), CLK 320 CDI (3.0 V6 diesel); (all standard with 6-speed manual transmission, automatic transmission is optional)
Each model seats four and in the US this includes an all-leather interior with burl walnut trim. For Europe the models are available as "Elegance" or "Avantgarde" versions, basically Luxury or Sport specification where the Elegance uses Burr Walnut trim and polished alloy wheels the Avantgarde uses alloy trim and wider, sportier wheels. The price and specification for European models is otherwise the same. The 4 cyl. cars wear 16" wheels While the CLK320, CLK350 and CLK500 come with 17 inch (432 mm) alloy wheels, the CLK55 AMG sports 18 inch (457 mm) wheels. The cabriolets have a remote-operated automatic soft-top and sensor-controlled roll bars. Since 2000, all US cars come standard with a Tele Aid emergency assistance system, automatic dual-zone air conditioning, 10-way power front seats and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Seven-channel digital surround sound comes standard. A Keyless Go system, navigation system, Parktronic system, and bi-xenon HID headlamps are all available as options. All models come with four side airbags. European cars differ considerably and are usually down-specced depending on the buyer's needs.
A two-door E-Class Coupe was introduced as part of the new eighth-generation E-Class, at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, as Mercedes-Benz intended to leverage the better-known E-Class nameplate. However, like the two generations of the CLK-Class, the new E-Class Coupe is based on the contemporary C-Class platform. It will be produced in Bremen. [1] [1][2]
The Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR was a V12 mid-engine race car developed for the 1997 FIA GT championships. It shared only lights and other exterior similarities with the normal CLK. Production of the required 25 road cars began in late 1998.
A special version of the CLK is the CLK DTM AMG sports car, which looks similar to the full race car for the German Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters racing series which has to use a normally aspirated 4.0 L V8, limited to less than 500 hp. 100 Coupés and 80 Convertibles were released for sale in Europe, using AMG's supercharged 5.4 L V8, now producing 428 kW (582 hp) and 800 N·m (590 ft·lbf). The front and rear track are widened by 2.9 and 4.2 inches (74 and 110 mm) respectively, and special tires and suspension modifications allow the car to pull 1.35 g (13 m/s²) of lateral acceleration. 0–100 km/h acceleration is just 3.8 seconds, and top speed is limited to 322 km/h (200 mph). In Germany, the car cost 236,060 euro after taxes.
In addition to hard top CLK DTM AMG, 80 convertible versions of CLK DTM were made for 2006 model year, titled Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM AMG Cabriolet. Compared to the coupé version, a speed limiter further reduces its top speed to 300 km/h (likely due to the top not able to withstand higher wind forces safely).
Owners of the CLK DTM Cabriolet includes former McLaren Mercedes Formula One drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and Mika Häkkinen. Häkkinen competed in the DTM 2005–2007. Former McLaren Mercedes Formula One driver Kimi Räikkönen and current McLaren Mercedes Driver Jenson Button both own the hard top version of the CLK DTM.
The CLK is a mid-sized coupe which is based on a lengthened wheelbase of the compact/entry-level luxury C-Class, so it slots between the C-Class and E-Class in price and size, though Mercedes has positioned it closer to the latter.[3] The CLK's styling also drew very heavily on the front and rear styling cues of the mid-size executive (W210) E-Class model. The W210 E-Class itself was inspired by a 1993 concept car which the CLK eventually looked very similar to.
There was a reason for the similarities with the current E-Class. When Mercedes replaced the E-Class W124 with the W210 in 1995, the coupe version was not replaced. Initially, Mercedes planned to introduce a smaller C-Class based coupe to rival the BMW 3-Series coupe/cabriolet. In order to attract customers who previously went for the executive-class E-Class Coupe, Mercedes gave the CLK the latest (W210) E-Class' styling features with the 4 headlights and rectangular tail-lights which extended on to the bootlid. This gave the impression that the CLK was a direct successor to the (W124) E-Class Coupe, which was made cleverer in that the CLK was launched 12-months after the (W210) E-Class – the usual gestation time for a saloon spawned coupe by Mercedes. Even the engine range of the CLK was closer to the E-Class than the C-Class. For example, the AMG version used the 5.5 litre V8 from the E55 AMG rather than the 3.6 litre from the C36 AMG. Unlike the W124 E-Class coupe which was classified as 2-door sedan by the SAE, however, the CLK's passenger volume has been significantly reduced.
The C-Class has also spawned another coupe, the W203 C-Class Sportcoupe, which was spun off into its own line as the CLC-Class in 2008. These follow the W203 and W204 C-Classes in styling cues, and engines, though being more compact and priced lower than the C-Class sedan. The Sportcoupé/CLC was designed to counter the BMW 3-Series Compact liftback, and the succeeding 1 Series. Mercedes, however, has not created a direct competitor with the regular BMW 3 series coupe/cabriolet.
The CLK cabriolet is known in the UK as the Loafer because of its resemblance in profile to an Oxford Brogue.
Though they discontinued the W124 E-Class coupe in 1995, Mercedes eventually returned to the executive-sized coupe with the introduction of the CLS-Class, though it is a four-door coupe that is longer and priced higher than the E-Class. While the CLS is designed to compete with the BMW 6 Series, the compact/mid-sized CLK is slotted between the BMW 3 series coupe/cabriolet and the 6 series coupe/cabriolet.
Mercedes-Benz later reintroduced a two-door E-Class Coupe in 2009 at the Geneva Motor Show, as they intended to leverage the better-known E-Class nameplate. However, like the two generations of the CLK-Class, the new E-Class Coupe is based on the contemporary C-Class platform.[1][2]