Base CLK 350 2dr Convertible
2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
The Mercedes-Benz CLK feels right in just about any role. It's good looking, stylish, sporty to drive and personal, yet roomy and comfortable for four adults. The CLK comes in coupe and convertible versions, with a V6 or V8 engine. Those who prefer understated, buttoned-down elegance will like the CLK Coupe. Extroverts and sun worshippers can choose the one-button convertible top on the CLK Cabriolet.
New for 2008 is the limited?edition CLK Black Series with a 500-horsepower engine. The V8 engines are still new yet now tested, having been introduced for the 2007 model year.
The CLK is one of the sportiest cars in the Mercedes lineup. The CLK has rear-wheel drive in a class increasingly populated by front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive cars, and it has a sporting flair many mid-size luxury cars lack.
We think most drivers will be quite happy with the CLK350 and its 268-horsepower V6. With its seven-speed automatic, the CLK350 delivers a fine balance of spirited acceleration, quiet cruising and decent fuel mileage. The CLK350 gets an EPA-rated 17/25 mpg City/Highway.
Drivers who demand more performance can choose the CLK550. Its V8 generates 382 hp and an even more impressive 391 pound-feet of torque. (Torque is that force that launches the car from intersections and propels it up hills.) Measured by acceleration and engine response, the CLK550 meets just about any standard of high performance. The CLK550 transmits a feeling of being more stuck to the road than the CLK350 does, with sharper handling and better high-speed stability.
Meanwhile, the limited-production CLK63 AMG performs magnitudes better, delivering racecar levels of performance. It will out-accelerate, out-brake and out-corner all but a handful of four-seat cars anywhere. Yet around town it's incredibly docile and belies its 475-hp AMG engine. The CLK63 AMG Black Series kicks it up just a notch, boasting 500 hp.
On the open road, the CLK, no matter the model, is satisfying, responsive and exceptionally stable at high speeds. It inspires confidence on twisty roads and bears up well in a spirited drive. It's also easy to live with. Its ride is firm, but not intrusive. Its relatively small size makes it easy to park and maneuver in crowded city centers, but its back seat is roomy enough for two adults.
In a word, the CLK is balanced. Its stylish design and elegant interior make it a pleasant place to spend time, and it delivers Mercedes cachet that works in almost any circumstance.
Full Review
Full Review
The CLK comes in coupe and convertible versions, with a V6 or V8 engine. Those who prefer understated, buttoned-down elegance will like the CLK Coupe. Extroverts and sun worshippers can choose the one-button convertible top on the CLK Cabriolet.
New for 2008 is the limited?edition CLK Black Series with a 500-horsepower engine. The V8 engines are still new yet now tested, having been introduced for the 2007 model year.
The CLK is one of the sportiest cars in the Mercedes lineup. The CLK has rear-wheel drive in a class increasingly populated by front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive cars, and it has a sporting flair many mid-size luxury cars lack.
We think most drivers will be quite happy with the CLK350 and its 268-horsepower V6. With its seven-speed automatic, the CLK350 delivers a fine balance of spirited acceleration, quiet cruising and decent fuel mileage. The CLK350 gets an EPA-rated 17/25 mpg City/Highway.
Drivers who demand more performance can choose the CLK550. Its V8 generates 382 hp and an even more impressive 391 pound-feet of torque. (Torque is that force that launches the car from intersections and propels it up hills.) Measured by acceleration and engine response, the CLK550 meets just about any standard of high performance. The CLK550 transmits a feeling of being more stuck to the road than the CLK350 does, with sharper handling and better high-speed stability.
Meanwhile, the limited-production CLK63 AMG performs magnitudes better, delivering racecar levels of performance. It will out-accelerate, out-brake and out-corner all but a handful of four-seat cars anywhere. Yet around town it's incredibly docile and belies its 475-hp AMG engine. The CLK63 AMG Black Series kicks it up just a notch, boasting 500 hp.
On the open road, the CLK, no matter the model, is satisfying, responsive and exceptionally stable at high speeds. It inspires confidence on twisty roads and bears up well in a spirited drive. It's also easy to live with. Its ride is firm, but not intrusive. Its relatively small size makes it easy to park and maneuver in crowded city centers, but its back seat is roomy enough for two adults.
In a word, the CLK is balanced. Its stylish design and elegant interior make it a pleasant place to spend time, and it delivers Mercedes cachet that works in almost any circumstance.
Hide Full Review
Retail Price
| Engine | 3.5L V-6 |
| MPG | 17 City / 25 Hwy |
| Seating | 4 Passengers |
| Transmission | 7-spd w/OD |
| Power | 268 @ 6000 rpm |
| Drivetrain | rear-wheel |
