This car actually shows better in Europe than it will in North America for that very reason, since there are precious few vehicles here that can match the CLK 500's launch ability. Against cars with 2-litre engines and five-speed manual shifters, a 1660-kg car sporting 306 hp and about 340 lb-ft of torque through an aggressive five-speed automatic will generally get its way.In Canada, a 0 to 100 km/h time of 6 seconds is very good, but it won't make you monarch of every mountain you climb.
Still, the 5-litre V8 (replacing a less-powerful 4.3-litre V8) will allow you to keep up with Canadian traffic, and getting up an on-ramp to a multi-lane or getting around a truck on some two-lane will not be a problem.
The CLK 500's power generates confidence, and the rest of the car supports that, as well it might, for an estimated price of more than $70,000. Exact prices will be announced closer to its fall arrival in dealerships.
We'll also get a V6-powered CLK 320, which will be two seconds slower 0 to 100 and about $10,000 less expensive than the CLK 500, and a V8-powered CLK 55 AMG, which will do 0 to 100 in about 5.2 seconds and cost about $25,000 more than the CLK 500. In essence, then, you'll pay about $35,000 more to spend about three seconds less getting up to legal speed.
There's more to this compact coupe than its performance, since the chassis is noticeably stiffer and the interior noticeably roomier.
The new CLK is one of the most accommodating cars on the road, since the big doors swing way back for easy entry, the doors don't press up against you, and you can dial the seat back so far even someone very tall (like me) can get as much legroom as he or she needs.
Still, the 5-litre V8 (replacing a less-powerful 4.3-litre V8) will allow you to keep up with Canadian traffic, and getting up an on-ramp to a multi-lane or getting around a truck on some two-lane will not be a problem.
The CLK 500's power generates confidence, and the rest of the car supports that, as well it might, for an estimated price of more than $70,000. Exact prices will be announced closer to its fall arrival in dealerships.
We'll also get a V6-powered CLK 320, which will be two seconds slower 0 to 100 and about $10,000 less expensive than the CLK 500, and a V8-powered CLK 55 AMG, which will do 0 to 100 in about 5.2 seconds and cost about $25,000 more than the CLK 500. In essence, then, you'll pay about $35,000 more to spend about three seconds less getting up to legal speed.
There's more to this compact coupe than its performance, since the chassis is noticeably stiffer and the interior noticeably roomier.
The new CLK is one of the most accommodating cars on the road, since the big doors swing way back for easy entry, the doors don't press up against you, and you can dial the seat back so far even someone very tall (like me) can get as much legroom as he or she needs.