New CLK-Class unveiling in Geneva

Mercedes-Benz has released the first pictures of the re-styled and technically sophisticated new CLK-Class, ahead of the coupe’s world premiere at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. The new model series, designated C209, will go on sale in Australia later this year.

A continuation of Mercedes-Benz’ long coupe tradition, this two-door car represents an autonomous model series within the Mercedes-Benz product range, and emphasises this role with a new design right down to the last detail, making for an appearance which is both calmy elegant and sportingly dynamic.

Pronounced stylistic features such as the uninterrupted line of frameless, fully retractable side windows, the louvred radiator grille typical of the brand with its central Mercedes star, the reinterpreted twin-headlamp face and the sweeping lines of the coupé roof underline the self-confident character of the new CLK-Class.

Under the bonnet, prospective buyers have some seven engine configurations to choose from, depending on your deep your pocket are.

Mercedes customers in Europe have a choice between seven engines, three transmission variants, two design and equipment lines and numerous attractive colour combinations. Six of the seven engines are new or have been further developed, and generate up to 20kW more output and up to 15 per cent more torque than previously.

At the same time the fuel consumption of the CLK-Class models has been reduced by an average of six percent versus the preceding series. Quite an impressive feat for a big German coupé.

The CLK-Class range is headed by two V8 models whose performance figures match those of top-flight sports cars: the CLK 500 with 225kW and the CLK 55 AMG, whose further enhanced power unit now develops an impressive maximum output of 270kW.

With these powerful engines the new CLK-500 Coupé accelerates to 100 km/h from rest in only 6 seconds, while its AMG-tuned brother shows three figures in a heart-stopping 5.2 seconds.

In addition to the eight cylinder engines, a new generation of four-cylinder mills are celebrating their premiere whose unique TwinPulse system sets new standards in this displacement class in terms of output, torque characteristics and fuel consumption.

Two four-cylinder models are available: the CLK 200 KOMPRESSOR (120kW) with conventional fuel injection and the CLK 200 CGI (125kW) with direct petrol injection. The TwinPulse system features a combination of different technologies which ensure a high level of driving pleasure together with a low fuel consumption and the smoothness of a six-cylinder engine: balancer shafts, supercharger, intercooler, variably adjustable camshafts and four-valve technology.

In the new CGI engine Mercedes-Benz combines the TwinPulse system with a pathfinding direct petrol injection system which reduces fuel consumption to just 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres (NEDC overall consumption). This is a reduction of approx. 16 percent versus the preceding model. It would appear that upcoming emmissions standards are a becoming a key concern, not just for Asian car makers. Perhaps the day of the big-block eight is slowly coming to an end?

Mercedes-Benz has extended the range of six-cylinder models in the new CLK-Class with the proven-but-lacking 2.6-litre engine generating 125kW. The potent 3.2-litre V6 power unit (160 kW) remains unchanged. A new entry in this coupé class is the powerful diesel model CLK 270 CDI, whose bonnet conceals an ultra-modern five-cylinder diesel engine with common-rail fuel injection. This has an output of 125 kW and is one of the most economical engines in its class with a fuel consumption of only 6.7 litres per 100 kilo-metres (NEDC overall consumption). This last powerplant is unlikely to make the journey to Australia, simply because diesel isn't as attractive to drivers here, evidenced by the fact that we only have one or two bio-diesel bowsers.

The new Mercedes Coupé is equipped with the most up-to-date occupant protection systems as standard: adaptive airbags for the driver and front passenger, sidebags, windowbags, as well as belt tensioners and belt force limiters on all the seats.

For the first time the weight of the seat occupant is also taken into consideration when activating the two-stage front passenger airbag according to impact severity, a sign that technology is slowly, but surely, becoming a part of the modern motor car. Accordingly, the CLK-Class completely reflects the practice-oriented Mercedes safety concept while passing the most stringent crash tests.

The new CLK-Class Coupé is 71 millimetres longer, 18 millimetres wider and 42 millimetres higher than its predecessor, but manages to maintain the lowest drag co-efficient in its class at 0.28Cd. The wheelbase has been increased by 25 mm to 2715 millimetres, which improves road-holding and ride.

The occupants benefit from these larger dimensions with even greater spatial comfort - in terms of the distance between the seats, headroom, kneeroom, elbow room and shoulder width, the interior of the new CLK-Class has expanded significantly.

Soft contours, high-quality materials, attractive colours and great attention to design detail create an immediate atmosphere of well-being in the interior of the Coupé. The instrument panel, centre console, door panels and seats are new developments ensuring that the interior, too, accentuates the autonomous character of the CLK-Class. Truly, the new CLK-Class Coupé embodies everything that makes a prestige car just that.

All the controls are located within easy reach, the classic dial instruments in the cockpit provide clear and instant information about the roadspeed, the engine speed and the time. Decorative touches such as the chrome instrument surrounds or the large areas of exotic wood or structured aluminium trim in the centre console emphasise the feeling of luxury in the interior. Automatic control systems relieve the driver of effort while providing the greatest possible operating convenience.

The standard appointments in the new CLK-Class are even more extensive than in the preceding series and represent an added value of more than 2800 Euro (almost $A5000). They include windowbags, automatic belt feeders, power windows in the rear, headlamp assist, rain sensors, mixed tyres and an adjustable steering column, as well as an efficient automatic climate control system which operates on the basis of sensors which continuously measure the interior and ambient temperatures and the air humidity. What will they think of next?

In addition, trailblazing high-tech systems from the Mercedes luxury class are available for the CLK-Class as optional equipment for the first time: DISTRONIC proximity cruise control, the access and drive authorisation system KEYLESS-GO, bi-xenon headlamps and LINGUATRONIC voice control for the telephone and radio.

The new 2003 CLK-Class is out of the bag and looking extremely delectable. With the huge range of engines on offer, the new technological features, more power and increased interior space, Mercedes will be one to look out for when the new models hit our shores at the end of the year.