REVIEW: Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series – A Purist’s Dream
It’s said the Germans often forgo passion in exchange for clinical perfection. After spending a day behind the wheel of the first-generation Black Series, I beg to differ.
It’s not everyday that someone throws you the keys to an automotive icon … especially when it’s getting ready to be sold. Anything that happens to it could equal thousands of dollars in damage. A scratch, a flat tire, an encounter with a medium-sized speed bump — anything.
Despite feeling an overwhelming sense of responsibility, I fired up the 6.2-liter hand-built V8, pulled the miniature carbon fiber shifter into reverse, said my prayers, and hit the open road.
A Different Approach
I began my driving test by performing tasks most 30-year-old dads do on Saturdays. After acquiring temporary ownership of a DTM-derived limited edition sports car, I drove to my local grocery store and picked up a few things, then met my wife for lunch, and eventually puddled around town without much fanfare. It was at that point I realized two things: one, that despite taking things relatively easy, I was going through fuel rather quickly, and two, that a Black Series isn’t a comfortable city car.
After a couple of hours behind the wheel, I decided to make a pit stop and rethink my evaluation approach. I had initially set out to discover what driving a CLK63 AMG Black Series was like on a daily basis, but I quickly realized that such a mundane test was unfair. It was unfair to the car’s pedigree, and unfair to its performance. After exchanging a couple of text messages with the owner, I decided it was necessary to hit the road, and hit it hard.
The Performance
Fully stock, the Black Series’ engine produces 500 horsepower at 6,800 rpm, which is more than plenty for a 3,900-pound Mercedes-Benz. Luckily for me, this speed demon boasted nearly $50,000 in performance upgrades, which upped the ponies, upped the torque, upped the noise, and of course — the stopping power.
A RENNtech ECU and a plethora of Evosport engine goodies took things from crazy to full-on mental. And speaking of crazy, that’s exactly how I looked once I floored the throttle for the first time, and let the needle climb near redline. The sound produced by the 3-inch race exhaust combined with the brutal acceleration sent me into a laughing, drooling, shouting and clapping frenzy. It was bonkers and intoxicating.
Once my pulse was back to normal, I began to understand the Black Series experience. I realized just how difficult the car was to drive fast, how detail-oriented the driver must be, but also how aware one must remain at all times. Smash the throttle in a lower gear, and this Benz will absolutely put you in a ditch. It lacks mercy, and just as the name suggests, its soul is black — and evil.
Full-throttle sprints were kept to a minimum for the sake of safety, especially on public roads. Oh, and did I mention I can’t afford this car? Even if I could, why would I want to buy it after I put it into a ditch?
The Unforgettable Experience
The gracious owner of this CLK63 AMG Black Series and I share a few things in common. For starters, we’ve both driven many performance vehicles, and besides that, we’re both suckers for analog driving experiences. When asked about his taste for vehicles, he said, “Cars have to be analog. By that I mean the cars have to involve the driver as an essential part of the process of extracting maximum performance from the car.”
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In all of its analog glory, though, the Black Series still falls short of being a one-size-fits-all experience, which explains why only 349 of them were produced. This car calls for someone who actually desires to be involved, and maybe even punished for their mistakes behind the wheel. But if you get it right, the reward will be enormous. It’s that same love for the driving experience that’s made the current owner realize it’s time to move on and let this car become a purveyor of happiness to someone new.
After returning the once-$138,000 Benz to the owner, our chat about cars carried on for a while. He was kind enough to show me his daily driver: a white 1994 Acura NSX with a license plate that paid homage to Ayrton Senna. He also reminisced about other analog cars he’s owned, including a Honda S2000. Funny enough, he actually met his wife (who currently drives a modified Audi S5 6-speed) through an S2000 forum. One thing led to another, and now they’re both partners in cars.
The Future
Who knows what the future holds for this car and its soon-to-be-former owner? Despite its being listed for sale, he’s quick to admit he loves the car dearly. I personally witnessed him smile while sitting in it. Then again, I did the same thing.
In a nutshell, this 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG is a thing of beauty. It’s a car that, as the owner says, “Is not for everyone — even in stock form.” But in retrospect, I believe everyone should drive a car like this at least once in their lifetime because this is what the driving experience should be. This is what driving is all about, period.
“It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.” – Ferris Bueller
Photos via: [napcarphotography]