The Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class is a former series of mid-size or entry-level luxury coupés and convertibles produced by Mercedes-Benz between 1996 and 2010. Although its design and styling was derived from the E-Class, the mechanical underpinnings were based on the smaller C-Class, and was positioned between the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class and CL-Class. The name CLK is either derived from the German words "Coupé", "Luxus" (luxury) and "Kurz" (short) or "Coupé", "Leicht" (light) and "Kurz" (short), as the clear definition was never published. It primarily competes with the two-door BMW 3 and 6 Series,[1] as well as the Audi A4 Cabriolet and Audi A5 Coupe/Cabriolet, as well as the Maserati Coupe and its convertible variant.
| Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer |
|
| Production | 1996–2009 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | |
| Body style |
|
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Mercedes-Benz E-Class (C124/A124) |
| Successor | Mercedes-Benz E-Class (C207/A207) |
Prior to the CLK-Class, the Mercedes E-Class included a Coupé alongside the saloon/wagon. In 2010, Mercedes changed the CLK-Class nameplate to the E-Class Coupe/Cabriolet; nonetheless this E-Class Coupe/Cabriolet is still based upon the C-Class platform while borrowing the brand and styling/design from the E-Class saloon/wagon.[2] Then for the 2017-2023 model years, the Mercedes E-Class Coupé/Cabriolet shared the platform from the E-Class saloon/wagon. For the 2024 model year, Mercedes is releasing the CLE-Class which like the CLK-Class will share platforms and components with the C-Class and E-Class.
First generation (C208/A208; 1996–2003)
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The first-generation C208/A208 CLK was introduced in 1997, and was based on the W202 Mercedes-Benz C-Class launched three years earlier. The C208 coupé was replaced by the C209 CLK-Class in 2002 (for the 2003 model year), although the convertible remained in production until March 2003 when replaced by the A209 CLK. In total 233,367 units of the first generation CLK were manufactured in its coupé form and additional 115,161 cabriolets.[3]
Second generation (C209/A209; 2001–2009)
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The Mercedes-Benz C209/A209 is the second generation CLK-Class, and was launched in 2002 with production starting in June.[4] The car was available in both hardtop coupé (C209) and in soft-top convertible form (A209), with a choice of petrol and diesel engines. At introduction, a 2.6-litre V6, a 3.2-litre V6, 5.0-litre V8, 5.4-litre V8 petrol engines, and a 2.1 4 cylinder diesel 2.7L inline-5 diesel and a 3.0 v6 diesel engine with a decent 6.5 sec 0-60 figure where all available. Fuel economy wise between the 2.7 and the 3.0 the v6 was the better option due to a much better performance figure and negligible fuel economy difference.[5] In 2010, the CLK lineup was discontinued and replaced by the C207 E-Class coupé and A207 E-Class convertible.[6]
Successor (C207/A207; 2008–2017)
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The C207/A207 E-Class was introduced as part of the new fourth-generation E-Class lineup, and was first shown at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.[7] It is based on the W204 C-Class platform,[8] but shares 60% of its parts with the E-Class sedan and wagon.[9] In 2013, the C207/A207 received a facelift, featuring updated design changes and performance and fuel economy improvements.[10]
Sales figures
editThe following are the sales figures in Europe and in the United States:[11][12]
| Year | EU total | US total |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 16,708 | 1,236 |
| 1998 | 41,941 | 11,622 |
| 1999 | 57,880 | 16,714 |
| 2000 | 54,476 | 17,796 |
| 2001 | 37,377 | 19,423 |
| 2002 | 35,777 | 17,251 |
| 2003 | 54,305 | 19,230 |
| 2004 | 47,690 | 22,556 |
| 2005 | 34,601 | 18,227 |
| 2006 | 27,547 | 16,415 |
| 2007 | 22,117 | 15,009 |
| 2008 | 14,520 | 10,844 |
| 2009 | 8,416 | 7,150 |
| 2010 | 221 | 585 |
| Total: | 453,576 | 194,058 |
References
editNotes
edit- ^ "Tested: 2004 Luxury Sports Coupe Comparison". 17 March 2021.
- ^ "Mercedes Benz CLK Coupe production comes to an end". Motor Authority. Retrieved 2018-05-05.
- ^ "A Look Back – Mercedes-Benz CLK model series 208 Premiered in January 1997". emercedesbenz.com. 26 January 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
- ^ "WORLD PREMIERE AT THE GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: THE NEW MERCEDES-BENZ CLK-CLASS CABRIOLET". Retrieved 2018-05-05.
- ^ "Mercedes-Benz CLK - News - Car and Driver". Car and Driver. Retrieved 2018-05-05.
- ^ "Mercedes-Benz replaces CLK with E-class coupe". Autoweek. Retrieved 2018-05-05.
- ^ "Geneva Motor Show debut for Mercedes Benz E-Class Coupe". Motor Authority. Retrieved 2018-05-05.
- ^ Shunk, Chris (2009-05-19). "2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe a C-Class underneath? — Autoblog". Autoblog.com. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
- ^ "2010 Correction- Mercedes E-Class Coupe Is More Than 60 Percent Based On E-Class". Leftlanenews.com. 2010-08-11. Retrieved 2010-10-01.
- ^ "Mercedes E-class Coupe & Cabriolet facelift (2013) first pictures". CAR Magazine. Retrieved 2018-05-05.
- ^ "Mercedes-Benz CLK European sales figures". carsalesbase.com. Retrieved 2018-06-11.
- ^ "Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class Sales Figures -". GCBC. 2013-05-30. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
Bibliography
edit- Bols, Udo (2007). Mercedes-Benz Personenwagen: Eine Chronik [Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars: A Chronicle] (in German). Brilon, Germany: Podszun Verlag. ISBN 9783861334125.
- Clarke, R.M., ed. (2001). Mercedes CLK & SLK. 'Road Test' Limited Edition series. Cobham, Surrey, UK: Brooklands Books. ISBN 1855205564.
- ——————, ed. (2007). Mercedes AMG Gold Portfolio 1983-1999. Road Test Portfolio Series. Cobham, Surrey, UK: Brooklands Books. ISBN 978-1-85520-745-5.
- ——————, ed. (2007). Mercedes AMG Ultimate Portfolio 2000-2006. Road Test Portfolio Series. Cobham, Surrey, UK: Brooklands Books. ISBN 978-1-85520-748-6.
- Engelen, Günter (2003). Mercedes-Benz Personenwagen [Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars] (in German). Vol. Band 4: Seit 1996 [Volume 4: Since 1996]. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3613023482.
- Hofner, Heribert; Schrader, Halwart (2005). Mercedes-Benz Automobile [Mercedes-Benz Automobiles] (in German). Vol. Band 2: von 1964 bis heute [Volume 2: from 1964 to today]. Königswinter, Germany: Heel Verlag. ISBN 3898804194.
- Kittler, Eberhard (2001). Deutsche Autos [German Cars] (in German). Vol. Band [Volume] 6: seit [since] 1990 – Mercedes, Ford, Opel und Porsche. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3613020521.
- ——————— (2002). Mercedes-Benz. Typenkompass series (in German). Vol. Band 2. Personenwagen seit 1976 [Volume 2. Passenger Cars since 1976]. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3-613-02209-5.
- Niemann, Harry (2006). Personenwagen von Mercedes-Benz: Automobillegenden und Geschichten seit 1886 [Passenger Cars from Mercedes-Benz: Automobile Legends and Stories since 1886] (in German). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3613025965.
- Pitt, Colin, ed. (2003). Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Hockley, Essex, UK: Unique Motor Books. ISBN 1841551406(includes W208/C208 CLK).
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link) - ———— (2015). Mercedes-Benz CLK. Hockley, Essex, UK: Unique Motor Books. ISBN 9781841555034.
- Schlegelmilch, Rainer W. [in German]; Lehbrink, Hartmut; von Osterroth, Jochen (2013). Mercedes (revised ed.). Königswinter, Germany: Ullmann Publishing. ISBN 978-3-8480-0267-2.
- Taylor, James (2009). Mercedes-Benz: Cars of the 1990s. Crowood AutoClassic Series. Ramsbury, Marlborough, UK: The Crowood Press. ISBN 978-1-84797-096-1.
- Vieweg, Christof (2000). Alles über den Mercedes-Benz CLK: Coupé und Cabriolet [Everything about the Mercedes-Benz CLK: Coupé and Cabriolet]. Technik transparent series (in German) (3rd ed.). Stuttgart: DaimlerChrysler. ISBN 3932786130.
- Mercedes C-Klasse: Technik, Fahrtberichte, Tests, Vergleichstests (Limousine, Kombi, Sportcoupé, Cabrio, Coupé: alle Modelle seit 2000) [Mercedes C-Class: Technology, Drive Reports, Tests, Comparison Tests (Sedan, Wagon, Sport Coupé, Cabriolet, Coupé: all models since 2000).]. Auto, Motor und Sport spezial series (in German). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. 2003. ISBN 3613023032.
External links
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