nycphotography

I mean, I have a CLK63 and I love it, so I'm not knocking the car... I'm just trying to understand the role it filled in the MB lineup.

They had the C and the E, and they had the SL and the SLK.

What role was the CLK trying to fill? Was it smaller? Lighter? Cheaper? Sportier?

jrcart

MB never offered a C coupe back when the CLK was around. It filled the 2 door coupe spot and went up against the BMW 3 series and M3 coupe. A CLK is really just a 2 door C class.

nycphotography

lol doh! Now I get it. Thanks.

So when I read that they might be bringing the CLK back w/ the 2015 C class platform, I'm left wondering why? Will it be the C coupe and the C is then sedan only again? So AMG can make a CLK AMG thats RWD while the C AMG is AWD for the sedan?

Weird. This will be fun to watch play out.

Maverick1975

I wonder why they used the CLK nomenclature for it. Why the CL reference? Was it supposed to he a smaller lighter sportier CL

iyeoh

It's in the German.

Coupe Leicht or Coupe Light (lol) = CL

Coupe Leicht Kurz or Coupe Light Short = CLK

Sport Leicht or Sport Light (rofl) = SL

Sport Leicht Kurz or Sport Light Short = SLK

nycphotography

And then there's the CLS. lol

oldsinner111

does the CLK have all the problems a C Class has with interior gadgets?I've been buying S Class cars,but like to have a CLK55

vsix

Its the same platform only difference is the four to two doors, so yes!

Yidney

To me the CLK filled a very important niche. I always drive convertibles, but I want one that can hold four adults when nessesary without removing their legs. Not many cars fit that bill, and the CLK was the only MB at the time that did - now it's the E.

nycphotography

Yeah I wonder why they didn't make a C coupe cabriolet?

iyeoh

Why would they even want to make a new CLK cabriolet? Just force everyone to go upstream to a E-cabriolet. Higher value added and larger profit margins.

nycphotography

because there's something special about a pony car convertible (mustang, camaro, cuda, c class, bmw 3) that a midsize will just never ever neverever capture ;-)

vsix

There is some truth in it, eventhough AMG starts to pretend to be an muscle car. Its pretty obvious AMG tries to jump on the design train of americans legendary heritage. I had the 4-door sedan that didnt felt incredibly refined compared to my 2013 Mustang GT Im owning now.
As for the clk its a great, little handling monster wich fits the sport coupe bill very well.
I loved my CLK, it just started looking outdated...such a bummer!

Redcab

The CLK fits the bill for those who require open air driving but need space for passengers or luggage. I considered an SL when shopping for my most recent purchase. It was fast and beautiful but lacked the space for the kind of 3 day getaways I like to plan. If you want a cab and room for some gear, CLK is the best answer.

vsix

Exactly my thoughts! Thats the reason I went with the CLK, there was enough room for my golf bag and the car was still a blast to drive!

betrezra

Clk dtm ==== do you need more reason?!!!

DiceCedes

I read here once that the CLK was half C and half E. C Class parts and E Class price. Made me laugh but I did have to wait for the CLK to depreciate in half before I could afford it. I bought a C new and waited a few years to make the switch. I still like my CLK even as it starts to age. I would love to fall into a CLK63 Cab or BS one day.

Justin9212

The CLK is much closer to an E class than a C class. They do not really share the problems of a C class as someone else stated incorrectly.

betrezra

Clk is larger wider than the c of same vintage. I had both.

Closer to e.

OverDrive

Agreeing with the above post!, From my understanding when someone asked me one time. The front-end is C class, The backend is E-Class.

Justin9212

Not really. Pretty much all E class. Front end, back end, and interior. The side is the only thing really different.

MouTine

Is realy Kurz? I have always thought it is Kleine.