Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
Overview
Manufacturer
Production1996–2009
Body and chassis
Class
Body style
LayoutFront-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Chronology
PredecessorMercedes-Benz E-Class (C124/A124)
SuccessorMercedes-Benz E-Class (C207/A207)

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.

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)

Main article: Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class (C208)
A208 CLK-Class

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)

Main article: Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class (C209)
C209 CLK-Class

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, and 2.7L inline-5 diesel engine was available.[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)

Main article: Mercedes-Benz E-Class (C207)
C207 E-Class

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

The 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

Notes

  1. ^ "Tested: 2004 Luxury Sports Coupe Comparison". 17 March 2021.
  2. ^ "Mercedes Benz CLK Coupe production comes to an end". Motor Authority. Retrieved 2018-05-05.
  3. ^ "A Look Back – Mercedes-Benz CLK model series 208 Premiered in January 1997". emercedesbenz.com. 26 January 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  4. ^ "WORLD PREMIERE AT THE GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: THE NEW MERCEDES-BENZ CLK-CLASS CABRIOLET". Retrieved 2018-05-05.
  5. ^ "Mercedes-Benz CLK - News - Car and Driver". Car and Driver. Retrieved 2018-05-05.
  6. ^ "Mercedes-Benz replaces CLK with E-class coupe". Autoweek. Retrieved 2018-05-05.
  7. ^ "Geneva Motor Show debut for Mercedes Benz E-Class Coupe". Motor Authority. Retrieved 2018-05-05.
  8. ^ Shunk, Chris (2009-05-19). "2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe a C-Class underneath? — Autoblog". Autoblog.com. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
  9. ^ "2010 Correction- Mercedes E-Class Coupe Is More Than 60 Percent Based On E-Class". Leftlanenews.com. 2010-08-11. Retrieved 2010-10-01.
  10. ^ "Mercedes E-class Coupe & Cabriolet facelift (2013) first pictures". CAR Magazine. Retrieved 2018-05-05.
  11. ^ "Mercedes-Benz CLK European sales figures". carsalesbase.com. Retrieved 2018-06-11.
  12. ^ "Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class Sales Figures -". GCBC. 2013-05-30. Retrieved 2018-05-28.

Bibliography

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  • ———— (2015). Mercedes-Benz CLK. Hockley, Essex, UK: Unique Motor Books. ISBN 9781841555034.
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  • 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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