lee2375

http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/index...ews/news_e.htm

BigBadDad

Thanks for the heads up!!

-John

rp430

I am glad I bought when I did! The only nice look is from the front of the W209.

vadim

Speechless... a complete turn-off

Hugeness

How can you say it is such a turn-off? The C230K has one of the most unattractive rearends in pictures, yet it looks perfectly acceptable in person. However, you throw stones at this new design when you have only seen pictures!!

I think the new CLK has some close design ties to the CL, which is nice company. I admit that at this point I still prefer the existing CLK design (I used to stare at my '99 CLK320 all the time!). However, I am willing to give the new design a chance to win me over. Also, familiarity can also increase one's appreciation.

Give peace a chance... and the new CLK also. ha, ha.

vadim

I do like the present CLK, and I was going to get one, but decided to wait until the W209 is out and has been debugged (i.e., I didn't want to buy the first model year car). Now this one I don't like at all, based on the pic... IMO, it lacks the charisma of the W208... I find the design of the W208's rear half absolutely marvelous. Too bad they decided to dump it...

cjileong

Though I will wait to see the car in person, I do have to admit that the new CLK falls short of expectations. For one thing, the decision to make the CLK a mini CL creates some odd distortions. Kind of like the SLK and SL scenario...both have the vario-roof technology, but the SLK always looks squashed, to me. Now that the CL and the CLK both are being built pillarless, it just appears to me that the CLK is an effort to produce a cheap CL, a car reserved for the mightiest of the mighty.

Plus...Mercedes is once again approaching a point that my friend likes to call brand homogenization, that is, all the models look the same! The S/CL --> C --> new SL --> new E --> new CLK. I know you guys have all noticed it, but they really are starting to look the same. Much like the early 90s...when the S, SL, E, C, and 190 all looked the SAME. It's not always bad...for example, I liked the new E when it debuted, but in that case they kept the traditional E cues and mixed it with S styling. As for the new CLK...its all new, front, back...even top! And the result is a design with little pizzazz. And worst of all...everybody commented that the spyshots revealed a Benz that looked like an Acura CL. Now that the pictures are out, I have to agree that it does actually look like the Acura 3.2CL, especially from the rear window back.

But that's enough from me...

Hugeness

I agree with what you posted, but really hope it looks better 3D. As for the SLK, do you really think that the SLK looks too small? I just think that the SLK looks really sharp and it is a hoot to drive (got one as a loaner a couple times when my ML320 was in for service).

By the way, the CL is the most incredible car I have ever been in. I had the chance to drive it a little at a MB event and I didn't want to ever get out of it!!! Now, if I could just come up with that $100k I would be all set. LOL

jco-amg

The new CLK is really taking it's proportions from the new E class and more design ques from the new SL than the CL.

Personally...as someone who loves the W208 as a classic...to compare the two cars is apples and oranges...give the car a chance...it is a very innovative design...totally new from the ground up.

I like the pillarless design....I like the proportions....the front end is what everyone wanted in the W208....the new taillights are awesome.

All the improvements to the chassis are very welcome...
rack and pinnion steering....the strenghtening of the chassis was sorely needed....the 208 was a nice car...but the chassis was weak and over powered...My 55 creaked and groaned under hard cornering like and old lumber schooner....

this chassis...clearly designed for the V8 form the ground up...much better aerodynamics....all new suspension geometry....if all these improvements are optomized including the improvements in quality control demonstrated by the new SL...
This car should be a very fine machine.

It is not necessary to knock the W209 to appreciate the W208...
the W208 had lots of faults, most of which appear to have been addressed in the W209. My prediction is that the 209 55 will drive circles around the 208 55...especially through the twisties.

robertl

From Realdrive.com posted on 2/19/2002. Enjoy !

"Mercedes-Benz is continuing its long coupe tradition with the launch at this year's Geneva Motor Show (March 7 to 17, 2002) of it’s new CLK coupe.

Stylistically, the car has a more classical look than it’s direct predecessor. It also receives a longstanding Mercedes coupe trademark, frameless side windows, which had disappeared from the first generation of CLK coupes.

The car is based on the C-class platform. Mercedes engineers have improved the torsional rigidity of the body by 40 percent while almost doubling the proportion of high-strength steel alloys, which ensure maximum strength with low weight. The Cd value of the new CLK-Class Coupé is just 0.28. As usual with Mercedes, the new coupe is equipped with up-to-date occupant protection systems as standard: adaptive airbags for the driver and front passenger, sidebags, windowbags, as well as belt tensioners and belt force limiters on all the seats. For the first time the weight of the seat occupant is also taken into consideration when activating the two-stage front passenger airbag according to impact severity.

The new CLK-Class coupe is 71 mm longer, 18 mm wider and 42 mm higher than its predecessor. The wheelbase has been increased by 25 mm to 2715 mm. The occupants should benefit from these larger dimensions.

Customers will have a choice between seven engines, three transmission variants, two design and equipment lines and numerous colour combinations. Six of the seven engines are new or have been further developed, and generate up to 20 kW/27 hp more output and up to 15 percent more torque than previously. At the same time the fuel consumption of the CLK-Class models has been reduced by an average of six percent versus the preceding series.

The CLK-Class range is headed by two V8s: the CLK 500 (306 hp) and the CLK 55 AMG (367 hp). With these engines the new coupe accelerates to 62 mph from rest in only 6.0 (CLK 500) or 5.2 (the CLK 55 AMG) seconds.

Interestingly, 3 of the engines are within 7 hp of each other. The 200 Kompressor (163 hp), the new direct injection engine (170 hp) and the 2.6 litre V6 (170 hp) will all be competing against each other.

The two last engine options are the 3.2 litre V6 (218 hp) and the 270 CDI 5-cylinder diesel."

CLK 320

Like most, I reserve judgment until such time as I acutally see the car. However, if I were to sum up the design of the W208 in a word I would use classic, for the W209 I would use modern, or perhaps contemporary.

Rasper

Bilfo.dk are showing the freshly released CLK pictures i hi-resolution..

Bilfo Carmagazine

Rasper

JamE55

Ok here's my take on this.

The front looks headlights look like the new SL R230, the grille looks like a CL and the rear almost looks like a cross between the Volvo 2-door coupe and a new honda civic si??

robertl

I will reserve judgment until I see it in person, but my preliminary reaction is this:

1. Hate the front lights. If the car was supposed to be a "baby" CL (two separate lights) then why did they make it SL or C like?

2. Lack of character. Current W208 has it's own unmistakable lines and stands on it's own against other MB models. This car looks like a cross between CL, SL and C. I am not even going to speculate on the resemblance to other non-MB cars.

3. Damn, the front lights just kill it for me ;(

Wildbill

The fronthead lights do not the SL. SL headlights are more circular, whereas the new CLK headlights look more oval and slightly warped laterally. The SL headlights look better.

The car does look like the Acura CL as someone mentioned earlier.

Has anyone read the specs of the engines from above? These new CLKs are slow. The acceleration of the CLK500, which has bigger engine with more horsies, is just comparable to the current CLK430! The new CLK55 is definitely slower than the current CLK55.

I see absolutely no reason to switch to the new CLK.

myclk430

wEll at least I know that I will not be trading for that car. The lines remind me of a Toyota Solara. No personality, i hope it looks better in person.

nabzy

when comparing the times given for the new CLK as opposed to the current model.....you have to compare apples to apples so to speak....the times for the CLK 500 is 6.0 and the new CLK 55 is 5.2 but those are 0-100km/h times....mercedes quotes the current clk 430 at 6.3 and the current CLK 55 at 5.4 for their respective 0-100km/h....so in fact both new cars will be a couple of tenths or so quicker.....usually mbusa will take anything from 2-5 tenths of those times for its offical 0-60m/h times so look at the CLK 500 to be about a 5.7 car and the new CLK 55 to be about a 4.8 car

A.Emgee

A different release... same information...

Stuttgart, Germany - Mercedes-Benz will display the redesigned CLK-Class cars at this year's Geneva Motor Show, March 7th to 17th.

The restyled CLK coupe is 71 millimetres longer, 18 millimetres wider and 42 millimetres higher than its predecessor. The wheelbase has been increased by 25 mm to 2715 millimetres. As a result, interior headroom, kneeroom, elbow room and shoulder room have all increased.

The new CLK offers seven engines with outputs ranging from 163 horsepower to 367 horsepower, three transmission options, a newly developed suspension, and sophisticated optional equipment.

The CLK-Class range is headed by two V8 models: the CLK 500 (306 hp) and the CLK 55 AMG, whose improved engine now develops an impressive 367 hp. The new CLK 500 accelerates to 100 km/h in only 6.0 seconds, while the CLK 55 AMG takes just 5.2 seconds.

A new generation of four-cylinder engines with a unique TWINPULSE system sets new standards in terms of output and torque characteristics, and fuel consumption. Two four-cylinder models are available: the CLK 200 KOMPRESSOR (163 hp) with conventional fuel injection and the CLK 200 CGI (170 hp) with direct petrol injection. The TWINPULSE system features balancer shafts, supercharger, intercooler, variably adjustable camshafts and four-valve technology.

In the new CGI engine Mercedes-Benz combines the TWINPULSE system with a direct petrol injection system reduces fuel consumption to just 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres (NEDC overall consumption). This is a reduction of approximately 16 percent versus the preceding model. The new CLK 200 KOMPRESSOR has a fuel consumption of 8.6 litres per 100 kilometres (NEDC overall consumption) and is approximately 8.5 percent more economical than before.

A 2.6 litre V6 engine generating 170 horsepower is a new addition to the CLK engine lineup. The 3.2 litre V6 (218 hp) remains unchanged.

Mercedes engineers improved the torsional rigidity of the body by 40 percent while almost doubling the proportion of high-strength steel alloys, which ensure maximum strength with low weight. The coefficient of drag (Cd) of the new CLK-Class Coupé is just 0.28, a new benchmark in this vehicle class.

CLK coupes are equipped with the most up-to-date occupant protection systems as standard: adaptive airbags for the driver and front passenger, sidebags, windowbags, as well as belt tensioners and belt force limiters on all the seats. For the first time the weight of the seat occupant is also taken into consideration when activating the two-stage front passenger airbag according to impact severity.

err0neous

IMO, the new CLK does not seem to supersede the current one. I mean, it's pretty clear that the new SL supersedes the old SL... It's like they are adding a new model, that doesnt really replace the old one...it doesn't really seem to build upon what they already had, just kind of sidesteps it.

sorlo

It's a bit disappointing when I see the pictures. This car is like a combination of CL, SL, Honda civic, and a Volvo. Well, I hope it looks nicer in real life.

err0neous

Also, how am I supposed to aim the car without the MB crosshairs?

rvhoof

From the pictures the new CLK looks disappointing. The MB designers should have maybe looked a bit better at some of the pictures created by some creative magazines making guesses at what the new CLK will look like. Some of those pictures make the CLK look much better than what they came up with now. It resembles way too much an Acura CL. Here's a picture of it. Imagine an MB nose on the Acura and you have a new CLK. I'll keep my CLK.

<IMG SRC="http://www.4acura.com/sales/cl/images/cl_2001_black_right_1024x768.jpg">

Ron

http://www.4acura.com/sales/cl/image...t_1024x768.jpg

E55 KEV

What?!!! No blower on the CLK55 like SL55, W211 E55, C32 and all the rest of the upcoming AMG models! What gives? I was expecting 400 plus HP on the W209 CLK55.

nabzy

Accord

The front of the car is great, but the rear is just disgusting.