In the ongoing roundelay of Mercedes-Benz upgrading its products, the German luxury brand will upgrade the CLK coupe and convertible models this August and add an active head restraint system.
On top of that, there'll be a CLK350 version in both body styles for Canada that succeeds the CLK320, to go with the CLK500.
According to Mercedes, the styling changes to the car that debuted in May, 2002, are supposed to ''express the increased power of the extensively upgraded coupe and convertible.''
As a result, the redesigned front bumpers have a ''striking wedge shape and larger air intakes to create a more dominant look,'' aided by the modified radiator grille with three instead of the previously four louvers.
There are changes to the cars' interiors, as well, but specific details on that for Canada have not been revealed.
The new CLK 350 produces 272 hp through the 3.5-litre V-6 and sends it to the rear wheels through the seven-speed automatic transmission. This setup in the coupe is said to be good for a 0-to-100 kmh time of 6.4 seconds, with the heavier convertible taking a tad longer.
The big safety advance is the addition of the ''NECK-PRO'' head restraint, which Mercedes describes as ''crash-active.''
These head restraints are supposed to ''improve safety for the driver and the front passenger in the event of a rear-end collision.''
Once the CLK's sensors have determined that such a collision has occurred and that the impact has exceeded a defined level, the pre-stressed springs in the headrest are released. As a result, the headrest is shifted some 44 mm forward and about 30 mm upward within a split second. ''The heads of the front occupants are properly supported as a result,'' Mercedes claims, thereby ''reducing the risk of whiplash injuries.''
After NECK-PRO has been activated, the head restraints can be unlocked and pushed back to their original positions by hand, using the tool provided.
Other standard CLK safety features will include the automatic tire pressure loss warning system, and bi-xenon headlamps with an active cornering function.
Mercedes-Benz is also ''fulfilling the request of many drivers for even more sporty vehicles by introducing two new equipment packages. These packages include 18-inch alloy wheels, wide 225/40 R 18 tyres (front) and 255/35 R 18 tyres (rear), perforated brake disks and a sports suspension that enables the body to be lowered by 15 mm.
More details and prices will be available closer to the cars' on-sale date late this summer.
photo:Mercedes-Benz Canada
 |
| Mercedes-Benz CLK350 (photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
According to Mercedes, the styling changes to the car that debuted in May, 2002, are supposed to ''express the increased power of the extensively upgraded coupe and convertible.''
As a result, the redesigned front bumpers have a ''striking wedge shape and larger air intakes to create a more dominant look,'' aided by the modified radiator grille with three instead of the previously four louvers.
There are changes to the cars' interiors, as well, but specific details on that for Canada have not been revealed.
The new CLK 350 produces 272 hp through the 3.5-litre V-6 and sends it to the rear wheels through the seven-speed automatic transmission. This setup in the coupe is said to be good for a 0-to-100 kmh time of 6.4 seconds, with the heavier convertible taking a tad longer.
The big safety advance is the addition of the ''NECK-PRO'' head restraint, which Mercedes describes as ''crash-active.''
These head restraints are supposed to ''improve safety for the driver and the front passenger in the event of a rear-end collision.''
 |
| Mercedes-Benz CLK350 (photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
After NECK-PRO has been activated, the head restraints can be unlocked and pushed back to their original positions by hand, using the tool provided.
Other standard CLK safety features will include the automatic tire pressure loss warning system, and bi-xenon headlamps with an active cornering function.
Mercedes-Benz is also ''fulfilling the request of many drivers for even more sporty vehicles by introducing two new equipment packages. These packages include 18-inch alloy wheels, wide 225/40 R 18 tyres (front) and 255/35 R 18 tyres (rear), perforated brake disks and a sports suspension that enables the body to be lowered by 15 mm.
More details and prices will be available closer to the cars' on-sale date late this summer.
photo:Mercedes-Benz Canada
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