Body style: Coupé (two-door)
Segment: Premium Coupe
Production years: 1997, 1998, 1999
Mercedes-Benz introduced the first CLK in 1997 as a replacement for the C124 lineup, mixing the E-Class with the C-classes.
While its traditional competitor BMW offered a coupe version for the 3-Series but didn't have a two-door model for the 5-Series, on the other hand, Mercedes-Benz had a Coupe for the E-Class but not for the C-Class. Then, the company's management had the idea to mix a platform from the C-Class (W202) with the shapes from the E-Class (W210). Thus, it resulted in the first generation of the CLK built as a coupe and a convertible as well.
With a good platform underneath, the customers didn't complain about the car's handling or comfort. They were more concerned about the vehicle's look. For that, Mercedes hired Michael Fink, who installed an E-Class-inspired front fascia with similar dual-headlamp headlights and a tilted, four-slats chromed grille between them. The bumper sported a smiling-shaped lower grille and a pair of fog lights. From its sides, the CLK featured an ascending beltline that resembled the one from the E-Class. In the back, the CLK even sported the same taillights as the Mercedes' mid-size sedan.
Since the CLK featured a shorter wheelbase than the E-Class, there was less interior room. Still, it was more than in a regular C-Class and enough to host two passengers on the rear seats, despite its sloped rear windscreen. Its dashboard was different though than its four-door sibling, sporting a rounded instrument cluster, vents, and center stack. It was clearly more sports-oriented than the E-Class but still elegant enough to be considered a personal luxury vehicle.
Under the hood, Mercedes-Benz installed a choice of four gasoline engines and paired them with either a five-speed manual or a newly developed five-speed automatic, which was introduced in 1996.
ENGINE SPECS - 200 5AT RWD (136 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1998 cm3 |
Power: | 100 KW @ 5500 RPM 136 HP @ 5500 RPM 134 BHP @ 5500 RPM |
Torque: | 140 lb-ft @ 3700 RPM 190 Nm @ 3700 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 127 mph (204 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 11.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 205/55HR16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 179.9 in (4569 mm) |
Width: | 67.7 in (1720 mm) |
Height: | 53.9 in (1369 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 59.1/57.9 in (1,501/1,471 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 105.9 in (2690 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.9 in (150 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 14.8 cuFT (419 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.31 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2811 lbs (1275 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3968 lbs (1800 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 17.4 mpg US (13.5 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 32.7 mpg US (7.2 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 24.8 mpg US (9.5 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 225 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 200 5MT RWD (136 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1998 cm3 |
Power: | 100 KW @ 5500 RPM 136 HP @ 5500 RPM 134 BHP @ 5500 RPM |
Torque: | 140 lb-ft @ 3700 RPM 190 Nm @ 3700 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 16.4 gallons (62.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 130 mph (209 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 11 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 205/55 HR16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 179.9 in (4569 mm) |
Width: | 67.7 in (1720 mm) |
Height: | 53.9 in (1369 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 59.1/57.9 in (1,501/1,471 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 105.9 in (2690 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.9 in (150 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 14.8 cuFT (419 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.31 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 2810 lbs (1275 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3968 lbs (1800 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 17.5 mpg US (13.4 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 33.1 mpg US (7.1 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 25 mpg US (9.4 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 222 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 230 Kompressor 5AT RWD (193 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 2295 cm3 |
Power: | 142 KW @ 5300 RPM 193 HP @ 5300 RPM 190 BHP @ 5300 RPM |
Torque: | 207 lb-ft @ 2500 RPM 280 Nm @ 2500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Supercharged Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 16.4 gallons (62.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 143 mph (230 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 8.4 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 205/55 VR16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 179.9 in (4569 mm) |
Width: | 67.7 in (1720 mm) |
Height: | 53.9 in (1369 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 59.1/57.9 in (1,501/1,471 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 105.9 in (2690 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.9 in (150 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 14.8 cuFT (419 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.31 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 2976 lbs (1350 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4079 lbs (1850 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 16.6 mpg US (14.2 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 31.8 mpg US (7.4 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 23.8 mpg US (9.9 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 237 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 230 Kompressor 5MT RWD (193 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 2295 cm3 |
Power: | 142 KW @ 5300 RPM 193 HP @ 5300 RPM 190 BHP @ 5300 RPM |
Torque: | 207 lb-ft @ 2500 RPM 280 Nm @ 2500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Supercharged Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 16.4 gallons (62.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
---|---|
Top Speed: | 145 mph (233 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 8.4 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 205/55 VR16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 179.9 in (4569 mm) |
Width: | 67.7 in (1720 mm) |
Height: | 53.9 in (1369 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 59.1/57.9 in (1,501/1,471 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 105.9 in (2690 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.9 in (150 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 14.8 cuFT (419 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.31 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 2976 lbs (1350 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4078 lbs (1850 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 16.7 mpg US (14.1 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 32.2 mpg US (7.3 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 24 mpg US (9.8 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 233 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 320 5AT RWD (224 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 3199 cm3 |
Power: | 165 KW @ 5600 RPM 224 HP @ 5600 RPM 221 BHP @ 5600 RPM |
Torque: | 232 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM 315 Nm @ 3000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 16.4 gallons (62.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 149 mph (240 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 7.4 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 205/55 WR16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 179.9 in (4569 mm) |
Width: | 67.7 in (1720 mm) |
Height: | 53.9 in (1369 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 59.1/57.9 in (1,501/1,471 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 105.9 in (2690 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.9 in (150 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 14.8 cuFT (419 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.31 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3075 lbs (1395 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4232.3 lbs (1920 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 15.7 mpg US (15 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 32.7 mpg US (7.2 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 23.3 mpg US (10.1 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 242 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 430 5AT RWD (279 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V8 |
Displacement: | 4266 cm3 |
Power: | 205 KW @ 5750 RPM 279 HP @ 5750 RPM 275 BHP @ 5750 RPM |
Torque: | 295 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM 400 Nm @ 3000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 16.4 gallons (62.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 155.3 mph (250 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 6.3 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 225/50 WR16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 179.9 in (4569 mm) |
Width: | 67.7 in (1720 mm) |
Height: | 54.3 in (1379 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 59.1/57.9 in (1,501/1,471 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 105.9 in (2690 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.9 in (150 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 14.8 cuFT (419 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.31 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 3207 lbs (1455 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4321 lbs (1960 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 14.2 mpg US (16.6 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 29.4 mpg US (8 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 21 mpg US (11.2 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 263 g/km |