Mercedes-Benz Worldwide

Menu
  • News
  • A-Class
  • B-Class
  • C-Class
  • E-Class
  • S-Class
  • G-Class
  • V-Class
  • X-Class
  • T-Class
  • CLA
  • CLS
  • CLK
  • GLA
  • GLB
  • GLC
  • GLE
  • GLS
  • SL
  • SLC
  • Citan
  • Sprinter
  • AMG GT
  • Maybach
  • EQ
  • Unimog
  • Trucks
  • F1
  • Concept Car

Mercedes-Benz CLK Is A Fantastic Grand-Touring Car

Mercedes-Benz | Mercedes-AMG 14/12/2021 4 Comments
Mercedes-Benz | Mercedes-AMG
Click to rate this post
[Total: 1 Average: 5]

It’s easy to forget the Mercedes-Benz CLK exists. Launched during the waning years of the coupe market, the E-Class outsold it by a four to one margin. People traded in cars for SUVs in record numbers, and if you wanted a convertible, both the SL and SLK offered hardtops.
 

The CLK also confuses people. Is it an E-Class coupe, or a C-Class? Did Mercedes-Benz make a luxury car for Florida retirees, or a high performance grand tourer? Why did AMG make a Black Series for a car that also comes in red, white or silver?
 
Mercedes-Benz produced the CLK from 1997 to 2010. It replaced the W-124 E-Class coupes and convertibles and shared a lot of its design with the E-Class sedan. However, the CLK was actually based on the C-Class’ W202 and W203 platforms. This platform provided a very solid foundation for both a coupe and convertible while being lighter than the E-Class. In 2011 Mercedes-Benz reverted back to the E-Class designation for the coupe and convertible, while keeping it on the C-Class platform.
 

The motoring press wrote positive reviews on the CLK, comparing it favorably to other coupes and convertibles of the time. New Car Test Drive called it “a treat for the eyes and a blast for the senses“. Car and Driver ranked it ahead of the Saab 9-3, and Volvo C70, and Lexus SC 430, praising its stiff platform and “Germanic sporting character“. The second generation CLK received similar praise, building on the car’s impressive credentials.
 
Never meant as an outright sports car, the Mercedes-Benz CLK offered impressive performance. Deciding the platform could handle more power, AMG dropped their hand-built, 5.4 liter V-8 into the the CLK. Offering mad levels of power, Car and Driver ranked it higher than the BMW 645i and Maserati Coupé Cambiocorsa. AMG upped the ante in 2006, launching the CLK 63 with the 6.2 liter, 475 hp V-8. And if that wasn’t enough, you could get a CLK AMG 63 Black Series for the ultimate level of performance.
 

AMG produced a total of 500 Black Series CLKs from 2007 to 2009. It wasn’t the first car to receive the Black Series designation, but the CLK put the label on the map. It is the Mjolnir of AMG Hammers. 500 horsepower and 4.2 second 0-60 times may seem commonplace today, but are rarely accompanied by the full throated song of one of the best naturally-aspirated V-8s. Costing $138,000 new, the CLK 63 AMG Black Series is a purist’s dream and stands apart as one of a handful of AMG’s ultimate, untamed cars.
 
Even with its C-Class origins and E-Class pretenses, the CLK is a fantastic grand touring car. One capable of covering long distances comfortably at high speed. It offers room for four people and a generous trunk. The engine lineup includes everything from docile V-6s to AMG’s most powerful, naturally aspirated V-8s. However, in spite of its capabilities, the CLK gets overlooked in the marketplace. People shopping for an older Mercedes tend to favor the SL and SLK convertibles, or the big CL coupes. This fact has kept CLK prices low. Even the Black Series CLK is overlooked and regularly sells on Bring A Trailer for less than is original price. This lack of attention will eventually change. But until it does, the CLK will remain a great car at a bargain price.

Share this ↓

Related posts :

  1. Mercedes-Benz CLK The Coupe Between Classes
  2. 2022 Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR A legend Reborn
  3. $995 Mercedes-Benz CLK 320 Is A Real Deal
  4. Mercedes-Benz CLK 430 Was Too Good To Pass Up
  5. Mercedes-Benz CLK 500 Top Speed Drive
  6. Mercedes CLK GTR No.19 By Mechantronik Leaves Us Stunned
  7. The New Mercedes-AMG CLK GTR Concept Rendering
  8. Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR May Fetch $10 Million At Auction
  9. 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM AMG Is Up For Auction
  10. Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM Cabrio On Display In A Cafe In Abu Dhabi
  11. Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM AMG Cabriolet Has Lived A Royal Life
  12. Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Black Series Wheels Were Stolen In London
Prev Article
Next Article

4 Comments

    « Older Comments
  1. Hochzeit Hotel Boltenmühle

    The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a twenty five foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is completely off topic but I had to share it with someone!

    01/04/2023
  2. « Older Comments

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Google Translate

Recent Posts

  • Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV To Be Revealed 17 April
  • 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC Expensive But Also Good
  • 2023 Mercedes-Benz C 200 Sedan Road Tested
  • Mercedes-AMG Hammer V8 Wide-Body Coupe Gathering Dust For 17 Years
  • Mercedes-AMG G 63 4×4 Snow-White Upgraded With A Brabus Front End
  • Mercedes-AMG SL 63 Roadster Lowered On Vossen Forged S17-04
  • Mercedes-AMG CLE 63 Coupe Can’t Hide Quad Exhaust
  • Mercedes-Benz CLA EV To Rival Tesla Model 3 With 350-kW Charging
  • Mercedes EQG Ditched The G-Class Signature Spare Tire Cover
  • Mercedes-Benz S 580 W223 Mariani A Murdered-Out Look
  • Mercedes G-Class Puch 230GE 4×4 By Cars & Bids
  • Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 4MATIC Road Tested
  • Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series With A Little Over 1,700 Examples Reportedly Made
  • Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S Outrageous Dark Sea Wrapped With The Topcar Design Kit
  • Mercedes-Benz ESF 22 Prototype Predicted The Future
  • 2023 Mercedes-Benz A 200 Review Test Drive
  • Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV Electric Luxo-Barge
  • 2023 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S VATH Power Boost To 490HP
  • Mercedes-Benz GLE Models Have Leaky A/C Hoses That May Cause Short Circuits
  • Mercedes EQG EV Breaks Down At The Nurburgring While Testing

Categories

  • A-Class
  • AMG GT
  • B-Class
  • C-Class
  • Citan
  • CLA
  • CLK
  • CLS
  • Concept Car
  • E-Class
  • EQ
  • F1
  • G-Class
  • GLA
  • GLB
  • GLC
  • GLE
  • GLS
  • Maybach
  • News
  • S-Class
  • SL
  • SLC
  • Sprinter
  • T-Class
  • Trucks
  • Unimog
  • V-Class
  • X-Class

Mercedes-Benz Worldwide

Copyright © 2023 Mercedes-Benz Worldwide