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Mercedes-Benz has released the first pictures of the excitingly styled and technically sophisticated new CLK-Class, ahead of the coupe’s world premiere at this year’s Geneva Motor Show (March 7 to 17, 2002).

The new model series (C209) will go on sale in Australia later this year beginning with the CLK 320 and CLK 500 models. The CLK 55 AMG and CLK 240 will join the model series late 2002 or early 2003. Australian pricing and specifications for the new CLK-Class will be announced prior to the car’s local release.

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 elegant and 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.

Seven engines with outputs ranging from 120 kW to 270 kW

With a newly developed suspension, more powerful engines and highly sophisticated optional equipment, the new Mercedes coupé offers a driving experience that is unique in this vehicle class. 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 20 kW more output and up to 15 percent 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.

The CLK-Class range is headed by two V8 models whose performance figures match those of typical sports cars: the CLK 500 (225 kW) and the CLK 55 AMG, whose further enhanced power unit now develops an impressive maximum output of 270 kW. With these powerful engines the new CLK-Class Coupé accelerates to 100 km/h from rest in only 6.0 (CLK 500) or 5.2 (the CLK 55 AMG) seconds.

Direct-injection petrol engine with 16 percent lower fuel consumption

In addition, a new generation of four-cylinder engines is celebrating its premiere whose unique TWINPULSE system sets new standards in this displacement class in terms of output and torque characteristics, smooth running and fuel consumption. Two four-cylinder models are available: the CLK 200 KOMPRESSOR (120 kW) with conventional fuel injection and the CLK 200 CGI (125 kW) 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, inter-cooler, 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. The new CLK 200 KOMPRESSOR has a fuel consumption of 8.6 litres per 100 kilometres (NEDC overall consumption) and is therefore approx. 8.5 per-cent more economical than before.

Mercedes-Benz has extended the range of six-cylinder models in the new CLK-Class with the well-proven 2.6-litre engine generating 125 kW. 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).

More rigid bodyshell, outstanding Cd value and exemplary safety

Mercedes engineers have achieved further progress in the field of bodyshell technology, particularly with respect to safety and aerodynamics. They have improved the torsional rigidity of the body by 40 percent while almost doubling the proportion of high-strength steel alloys, which ensure maxi-mum strength with low weight. The Cd value of the new CLK-Class Coupé is just 0.28, a new benchmark in this vehicle class. 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. 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. The wheelbase has been increased by 25 mm to 2715 millimetres. 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 literally gained in stature.

Fine contours, top-quality materials and great exclusivity in the interior

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 ensure that the interior, too, accentuates the autonomous character of the CLK-Class. 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 and 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.

In the rear the standard, asymmetrically divided backrests and seat cushions can be separately or jointly folded forward, enabling CLK-Class passengers to vary the loading capacity of the Coupé. Folding the rear seats forward creates an almost level loading surface in the rear.

Standard equipment meets the highest demands on safety and comfort

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. They include windowbags, automatic belt feeders, power windows in the rear, Headlamp Assist, a rain sensor, mixed tyres and an adjustable steering column, as well as an efficient automatic climate con-trol system which operates on the basis of sensors which continuously measure the interior and ambient temperatures and the air humidity.

DISTRONIC and other innovations for the first time in this vehicle class

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.

Mercedes-Benz has developed the ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE lines with dedicated design and equipment features for a more individualised CLK-Class Coupé.