Germancar1

Very true. I still can't believe a CLK is going to have 382hp in "base" form and the AMG model will have roughtly 100 more hp! These are insane numbers for the CLK IMO.

M

S2000

While I agree with your logic, I don't see HOW they can space them apart.

5.5 = 380ish = 4.5ish with ESP
6.3 = 480ish = 4.5ish with ESP and MASSIVE wheel spin

The 6.3 @ 480ish would be more than capable of 4 to 3.9 runs but NOT with ESP and no LSD. The problem will be wheel spin on the 6.3. If ESP turns off completely, HUGE tire, and the addition of LSD...then MAYBE...sub 4's.

From a roll there will be a HUGE difference difference in these cars. Think more in terms of 20-150. I don't see too much of a difference 0-60.

-jm2c

Stiggs

I agree with you.
I think the only thing we can go by right now is past history. Have they ever made two cars in the same class go 0-60 in exactly the same time?
I think Mercedes will "publish" numbers that make the CLK63 faster than the CLK550. Will these numbers be true? I guess we'll just have to sit and wait.
My prediction: (published times)

CLK63 0-60 = 4.7 sec
CLK550 0-60 = 5.1 sec or maybe 5.0 sec



I know I will catch ***** for these numbers but I'm just saying this is what Mercedes will probably "claim" what the cars can do...... Not what they will actually do! They've done it to us in the past.

hector

any idea when we can expect it in the U.S.? this fall? thanks.

RJC

First cars shouldl arrive in Aug

hector

thanks.

BrabusClK04

The new 550 V8 we all know will have outrageous and great HP gains, but all these talk about HP, does anyone know what the new 550's will be priced at??? Will be be comparable to the prior 500 engines or will the be more. If they are similar in price...gooshhh, imma have to sell my car soon!

RJC

I hear prices should be very close to current levels with a very modest increase of +/- 2%.

BrabusClK04

SWEET...i cant wait to pick up a CLS550 then. 383hp...dam i hope kleemann's or HPS will make a kit for the new engines...wow, i can just imagine, 500hp CLS550 s/ced.....

RaCorm

I already have my CLK550 on order and should have it by the end of July. I can't wait to test the 0-60 time.

Toog4me

I can't wait to get out of my current lease early!!!

Germancar1

Any idea on price/equipment yet? I assume they're going to bundle the options like on the 07 S,E,SL etc...?

M

RaCorm

The options are packaged like the S model. I ordered the P3: Premium III package which has active ventilated/heated seats, driver multi countour seat, sunroof, lighting package and the H.K. premium radio. I also added the keyless go. I still haven't received the pricing yet, but don't expect it to be much different than the 2006 pricing.

Germancar1

Oh I see. They're going to do that across the range of models I guess. Any timeframe on delivery?

M

AMG_55

a 500 w/ a kleeman s/c puts out 500hp

these should be closer to 600

RaCorm

According to my salesman, I should have it by late July.

dan212

I have almost 3000 miles on my CLK550. It really is amazing. The paddle shifters allow you to be very aggressive with engine handling going in and out of turns. The engine is so powerful that there are rare opportunities to really push it, but 3/4 throttle at 100 still snaps the head back. The braking is really solid and I have nothing that I would want to add. I've driven my car very hard and the only thing I have seen is fishtailing as the wheels spun on a greasy toll both of ramp and some sliding on curves when I was powering out. Golly gee, Big surprise. The power is so amazing that I rarely have a chance to use it. The paddle shifters allow me to easily get the revs where I need to let the engine fly without resorting to kick down. I have the sports suspension option which makes a HUGE difference. I probably SHOULD have gotten the 18 inch wheels. Tire pressure makes a difference. Too low and the handling is effected noticablly. I will probably change the sway bars at some point. I was really look at a CLK55/05 but the engine tranny and suspension combo are so compelling that I know I went the right path. Power is astonishing. Handling is excellent. The paddle shifters are really useful.. The 7 speed tranny really works well. Full throttle acceleration is smotth, load and head snapping. You have to watch the tach to see the tranny do its work - the shifts are so smooth that the tach jumping up and down is a better indicator than anything else.

The car cruises at low RPM's even at 90-100 MPH with 27n MPG. Power is always available. If you KNOW you are going to accelerate, down shifting to thet the RPM's over 2.2K is all that is required to get the engine in best torque range,. Really amaziing.

The sports suspension option is the difference between a mush-mobile and and a solid handler. Its the difference between a merc and a sports car.

I seem to be the only person who doesn't like the exhaust note. Too civilized. That is my only complaint. Silly me.

clkcadet

too civilized??? eisenmann will be your best friend then!

dan212

I may very well change the exhaust, but I figure I will let the car shake itself out for a year or so under warranty before I give anyone an excuse.

ItalianStallion

An eisenmann exhaust will not void any warranty unless you have a problem with the exhaust. If you get the eisenmann you will scare small children and even some grown men (not kidding, I do it all the time). If you want it to be a little louder/aggressive maybe try replacing the resonator with a straight pipe. Congrats on such a great car!

Keep in mind, my car is blacklisted by Mercedes so I may not be the best source for warranty info lol. But seriously you shouldn't have a problem with a muffler.

Chucky300

Definetly, I can testify to that! more like 5.1 - 5.3

SoCalCLK

Sitggs, you were right! The 2007 CLK550 does 0-60 in 5.1 seconds from the manufacturer, so that usually means 4.9 or 5.0 in independent tests.

What, you got a crystal ball or something!?

Stiggs

LOL
No crystal ball....I just know how Mercedes thinks. Its like a natural evolution for their 0-60 times.

Either that or I got lucky.

Toog4me

test drove a 550 cab over the weekend... that thing was quick and sounds nice when you hit it.

SoCalCLK

It's got that AMG exhaust, must have sounded real nice.

Let me get this straight:

CLK55 AMG = 362hp @ $80,000

CLK550 = 382hp @ $60,000

Clearly, this is a ploy by Benz to generate interest in an aging and soon to be replaced model. But I like it!