Mercedes CLK - specifications, design and equipment of the popular German car

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

For the first time, the Mercedes CLK was presented in 1997 in Detroit. And despite the fact that outwardly it was similar to the E-class, the compact C-class became the technical basis for this car. In general, this model has a lot of interesting features. And they should have been told about them.

About model

The first thing to note about the Mercedes CLK is that it was based on a concept car called the Coupe Studie. And it, in turn, was based on the eminent Mercedes in the back of the W124. True, serial production did not take place. However, the design became the basis for the development of new sedans of the so-called upper middle class.

Nevertheless, the CLK is not a "docked" E-class. Its wheelbase is 14 centimeters shorter. The track became narrower. This is the peculiarity of the C-class platform. In general, the debut of the Mercedes CLK took place two years later than the presentation of the E-class. But on the other hand, the cars were shown to the world with more characteristic 4-cylinderengines, the volume of which was 2.0 and 2.3 liters. Later, a little later, cars with 6-cylinder engines came out - 3.2 and 4.3-liter.

Exterior and Interior

Mercedes CLK is made in a hardtop body and has a characteristic “big-eyed” optics. The car is also distinguished by wide doors that do not have window frames, an arrow-shaped profile and compact triangular vents for rear row passengers. By the way, if you lower all the windows and open the sunroof, you will get the impression that this car is a convertible.

The inside of the car looks luxurious - in fact, like almost any "Mercedes". Everywhere - one skin, wood and various pleasant things like a remotely adjustable rear curtain or multi-contour seats with inflatable chambers. It is also worth noting that each control - starting with the automatic transmission handle, ending with the system with which the high beam is controlled, is located in the usual places. And they didn't even change the shape.

The ventilation system deflector was made, as on the SL roadster. And the dashboard was taken over from the E-class. But there is also a new, individual element - and it became a glove box.

Specifications

Talking about the Mercedes CLK, one cannot fail to mention its technical features. So, models with gasoline in-line engines equipped with an injection system were produced. It could be 4-, 6-, and also 8-cylinder engines. Their volume varied from 2.0 to 4.3 liters, and power - from 136 to 279 liters. With. Interestingly, on4-cylinder engines could install a so-called volumetric supercharger. And for individual orders, the specialists of the AMG subsidiary even produced a special model, which was called the CLK 55 AMG. It was equipped with a 5.5-liter unit producing 347 hp. With. Interestingly, on all other models (be it Mercedes CLK W208 or any other car), the limiter worked at around 250 km / h. Here - at 280 km/h.

The cars were equipped with 5-band “automatic” and “mechanics”. They boasted ABS, ESP and ASR, side airbags…these models even have an emergency braking system.

Post-2000s

What were Mercedes-Benz CLK cars like in the future? In 2000, for example, two new 4-cylinder engines appeared. Cars with V6 and V8 units were left unchanged. The novelties are 2.0 and 2.3-liter engines. They have become less noisy, unlike their predecessors. They worked in tandem with 6-speed transmissions.

In 2002, the new generation Mercedes CLK-class was released. It was a coupe with a swift, spectacular, even sporty two-door body. A serious novelty was the 1.8-liter engine with direct fuel injection. Interestingly, this is the first engine of this type from Mercedes. And it became 6% more economical than the rest!

In 2003, manufacturers released new cars - with individually adjustable suspension and steering. And any model could reach 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds! Then the worldprovided the CLK-RS model. Perhaps two cars from this series can be called truly spectacular - this is the CLK-RS and the powerful, sporty Mercedes CLK-GTR. These models have engines with more than one, two, or three hundred horsepower, and other characteristics are impressive.

Recent years

In 2005, cars came out with new gasoline engines under the hoods. These were a three-liter 231-horsepower unit, as well as a 3.5-liter engine (power was 272 hp). Both are 6-cylinder, V-shaped. There were also turbodiesel novelties for 150 and 224 hp. With. (for 2.1 and 3.0 liters respectively).

Equipment has grown richer over the years. The ABS, BAS, ESP systems remained in the configuration, a premium stereo system, power accessories, a steering wheel and seats equipped with memory, six airbags, remote-controlled central locking, 2-zone climate control and much more.

One of the most spectacular novelties of recent years has been the CLK DTM AMG convertible. Just a great version! 5.5-liter 582-horsepower engine, 5-speed automatic transmission, sports suspension … This car accelerated to hundreds in just four seconds. And the maximum, limited by electronics, was 300 km / h. In general, a true Mercedes is beautiful, spectacular, fast, dynamic, safe and comfortable. True, in 2009 all models were discontinued. But they will forever remain in the hearts of connoisseurs of quality German cars.