| Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class | |
|---|---|
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer |
|
| Production | 1996–2009 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | |
| Body style |
|
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Mercedes-Benz E-Class (C124/A124) |
| Successor | Mercedes-Benz E-Class (C207/A207) |
TheMercedes-Benz CLK-Class is a former series ofmid-size orentry-level luxurycoupés andconvertibles produced byMercedes-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 theMercedes-Benz SLK-Class andCL-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-doorBMW 3 and6 Series,[1] as well as theAudi A4 Cabriolet andAudi A5 Coupe/Cabriolet, as well as theMaserati Coupe and its convertible variant.
Prior to the CLK-Class, the MercedesE-Class included a Coupé alongside the saloon/wagon. In 2010, Mercedes changed the CLK-Class nameplate to theE-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 MercedesE-Class Coupé/Cabriolet shared the platform from the E-Class saloon/wagon. For the 2024 model year, Mercedes is releasing theCLE-Class which like the CLK-Class will share platforms and components with the C-Class and E-Class.
_Elegance_coupe_(2015-07-03)_01.jpg)
The first-generation C208/A208 CLK was introduced in 1997, and was based on theW202 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]
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 bothhardtop coupé (C209) and insoft-top convertible form (A209), with a choice ofpetrol anddiesel engines. At introduction, a 2.6-litreV6, a 3.2-litreV6, 5.0-litreV8, 5.4-litreV8 petrol engines, and a 2.1 4 cylinder diesel 2.7Linline-5 diesel and a 3.0v6diesel engine with a decent 6.5 sec 0-60 figure where all available. Fuel economy wise between the 2.7 and the 3.0 the v6 was the better option due to a much better performance figure and negligible fuel economy difference.[5] In 2010, the CLK lineup was discontinued and replaced by theC207 E-Class coupé andA207 E-Class convertible.[6]
The C207/A207 E-Class was introduced as part of the newfourth-generation E-Class lineup, and was first shown at the 2009Geneva Motor Show.[7] It is based on theW204 C-Class platform,[8] but shares 60% of its parts with the E-Class sedan and wagon.[9] In 2013, the C207/A207 received afacelift, featuring updated design changes and performance and fuel economy improvements.[10]
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 |
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)