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2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK Mid-Size Luxury Coupe

Base MSRP Range: CLK 320 coupe - $44,000, CLK 320 convertible - $50,000, CLK 430 convertible - $58,000, CLK 500 coupe - $52,000, CLK 55 coupe - $69,000

Base Invoice Range: CLK 320 coupe - $41,000, CLK 320 convertible - $46,500, CLK 430 convertible - $53,500, CLK 500 coupe - $48,500, CLK 55 AMG coupe - $64,000
Price Quote

MSRP As Tested: all of them

Versions: CLK 320 coupe, CLK 320 convertible, CLK 430 convertible, CLK 500 coupe, CLK 55 coupe

Vehicle Category: Mid-Size Luxury Coupe

Engine Location: Front Engine

Drive Wheels: Rear-Wheel Drive Rear-Wheel Drive

Engine As Tested: 3.2-liter, Single Overhead Cam, V-6 cylinder, 215-horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 229 lb-ft torque at 3,000 rpm. Optional engines include a 4.3-liter, Single Overhead Cam, V8 with 275-horsepower at 5,750 rpm and 295 lb.-ft. torque at 3,000 rpm, 5.0-liter, Single Overhead Cam, V8 with 302-horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 339 lb.-ft. torque at 2,700 rpm, 5.4-liter, Single Overhead Cam, V8 with 362-horsepower at 5,750 rpm and 376 lb.-ft. torque at 4,000 rpm,

Transmission As Tested: 5-Speed Automatic

Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 3.2-liter - 19/27. 4.3-liter - 18/24. 5.0-liter - 16/23. 5.4-liter - 16/22.

Standard Safety Features: Driver and front passenger, front and side airbags with child safety seat recognition system, rear-side airbags, power 4-wheel disc brakes, "> Antilock Braking System, antiskid system, In-Trunk Emergency Trunk Release, Daytime Running Lights, Brake Assist, Rear Obstacle Detection System, Remote Keyless Entry, automatic roll bar deployment in the convertibles.

Competition: Acura CL, Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, BMW M3, Chevrolet Corvette, Infiniti G35, Jaguar XK-Series.

MORRO BAY, California -- Winding back roads slicing through California's coastal mountains between Monterey up north and Morro Bay in the south serve as our laboratory to sample the spirit of new iterations for the slinky CLK coupes from Mercedes-Benz of Germany.

Actually, there are two sensuous two-door coupes of mid-size dimensions that ride on a new platform and appear in new designs for 2003: CLK320, which contains the Mercedes 3.2-liter V6 engine, and CLK500 packing a big 5.0-liter V8.

Promoting a dynamic pillar-less format and two sets of dual articulated headlamps in a face borrowed from the revamped E Class of mid-size sedans, these prime coupes seat four in comfortable luxury.

They also carry tightly tuned mechanical systems to kindle a lively personality skewed toward the sporty side of automotive behavior and provide the Mercedes retinue of sophisticated electronic gear for safety and convenience.

And the new package design looks absolutely stunning.

Every angle exaggerates the aerodynamic fluidity of motion: The front grille tilts back further than on E Class sedans, the hood slopes more seriously and the windshield cants rearward in the extreme to achieve a low line over the arching roof.

Curving patterns of light reflect off the window glass and melt into the fluid forms of sheetmetal sweeping from the exaggerated low prow and over the pillar-less roof to a curtly tapered tail.

The observer's eye acknowledges this new design as both sensuous and muscular, yet also elegant in artistic beauty.

Typically with coupe designs, less becomes more, particularly in price, as less passenger doors and less seating capacity add up to far more expensive window stickers due to the premium placed on daring styling and that exclusive cachet of a coupe concept.

Yet Mercedes adopts a different approach with new designs for a second generation of CLK coupes.

It's as if more becomes more because the new cars are larger in format than the original editions of 1998 and they contain more high-tech gear and stronger powertrains, yet price points signify a competitive line.

CLK320 at introduction shows the MSRP pegged at $43,900, while the V8-powered CLK500 runs to $52,200.

These figures do not include a standard freight and delivery fee of $665.

Convertible models in the CLK Class during 2003 extend previous editions with the CLK320 Cabriolet and CLK430 Cabriolet, although a drop-top treatment using the new coupe's platform and powertrains is currently in the works but not expected until 2004.

Also, a high-powered performance edition -- the CLK55 AMG -- fades away during 2003 but perhaps will emerge on the new platform at a later date.

Compared against the original CLK coupe, the new 2003 coupes measure larger in all physical dimensions.

Wheelbase stretches an inch longer and the length runs 2.4 inches greater, while the width grows by more than half an inch and the height rises by 1.4 inches.

These figures point to more usable space in the passenger compartment, but the slick new exterior design also reflects sleeker streamlining as verified by a 0.30 drag coefficient (versus 0.31 Cd for the previous car).

And the new platform -- adapted from the chassis underpinning Mercedes C Class cars -- measures stronger and stiffer, improving by 40 percent in torsional rigidity.

Independent suspension elements from the C Class were revamped and tuned for tighter control and sporty traits. Components include a three-link design up front with MacPherson struts, while at the rear there's a five-link arrangement, plus a stabilizer bar mounted fore and aft.

Also, the steering mechanism switches from a recirculating-ball assembly to the more direct and responsive rack and pinion system.

And there are devices aboard to stabilize forward movement and tire traction, smart brakes with anti-lock controls plus multiple air bags to cushion the human cargo.

Nomenclature for the CLK coupes conforms to the alphanumeric designations employed by Mercedes for all of its vehicles, with the class size defined by alphabetical letters and the engine volume expressed in liters and translated into three digits.

Thus, the CLK320 takes its name from the CLK Class of mid-size coupes and its 3.2-liter V6 engine turns into the numbers 320.

Likewise with the CLK500 and its 5.0-liter V8.

The Mercedes V6 -- which has a single overhead cam plus an electronic throttle called "adaptive accelerator" -- makes 215-hp at 5,700 rpm plus 229 lb-ft of torque peaking between 3,000 and 4,600 rpm.

That adaptive accelerator, linked to a computer, adjusts the throttle to fit a driver's individual style. Use a lead foot to stomp the pedal and it learns to throw the throttle wide open for quick performance work, but for more sedate pedal behavior the device programs the throttle to open more gently and produces higher fuel economy numbers.

The single-cam V8 reaches to 302-hp at 5,600 rpm with 339 lb-ft of torque available from 2,700 to 4,250 rpm.

Transmission for either plant is the impressive Mercedes 5-Speed Automatic, which brings clutch-less shifts through a TouchShift stick. To-and-fro movements of the lever allow a driver to step up or down the gear ladder one notch at a time with the control of a manual stick.

A new design for the four-seat cabin -- virtually identical for CLK320 and CLK500 -- draws on fine leathers and glossy polished hardwoods.

Individual seats feel firm and comfortable and the buckets in front adjust in multiple directions.

The new instrument panel with analog gauges ringed in chrome focuses on a large speedometer and tachometer, but there's a bold clock located on the left.

A central console groups controls for audio and climate systems plus buttons that operate the fold-down headrests, heat element embedded in front seats and a power-motivated sunshade over the large rear window.

High-tech Mercedes equipment may be added optionally, such as Keyless Go, Distronic adaptive cruise control, Parktronic distance sensors, bi-xenon headlamps and a DVD-based navigation system.

Pros: Wonderful performance. The vehicles all handle well. Acceleration is thrilling while still being quiet, comfortable and luxurious.

Cons: Expensive (but worth it.) Only very small people can fit in the 2nd row.

Ratings (1-10)

  • Style: 9
  • Performance: 9
  • Price: 7
  • Handling: 9
  • Ride: 8
  • Comfort: 9
  • Quality: 8
  • Overall: 8.4

MORE DATA

Where Built: Germany

Major Options: adaptive cruise control, heated seats, integrated cell phone,larger engines and tires, navigation system, obstacle detection system, power rear sunshade, power sunroof, upgraded stereo, xenon headlamps.

Seating: 4

Number of Rows: 2

Crash Test Ratings:

  • NHTSA Frontal Impact/Driver Crash Test Rating: Not Yet Tested
  • NHTSA Frontal Impact/Passenger Crash Test Rating: Not Yet Tested
  • NHTSA Side Impact/Front Seat Crash Test Rating: Not Yet Tested
  • NHTSA Side Impact/Rear Seat Crash Test Rating: Not Yet Tested
  • NHTSA Rollover Resistance Rating: Not Yet Tested

  • IIHS Frontal Offset Crash Test: Not Yet Tested

Length in Inches: 182.6

Warranties: 4 years/50,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, 4 years/50,000 miles corrosion, unlimited years/unlimited mileage free Roadside Assistance, 4 years/50,000 miles free scheduled maintenance.

Weight in Pounds: 3,650

Towing Capacity in Pounds: Not Applicable

Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 16.4

Destination Charge: $665