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2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class Review
Sporty elegance and luxury.
2005 CLK-Class Review Summary & Specifications
The Mercedes-Benz CLK is among the best of its class, a rolling statement of style and taste, and a design that's likely to age well.The CLK320 is an excellent entry-level offering, and will satisfy most owners, while the CLK500 is a superb automobile in every respect, kicking everything up another notch. The CLK55 AMG is strictly for enthusiasts. As driving enthusiasts, we can certainly understand the desire for more performance, but it's hard to imagine needing all the performance of the CLK55AMG in most typical driving situations. New Car Test Drive correspondent Tom Lankard filed this report from Santa Barbara, California, with Mitch McCullough in Los Angeles.
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| Vehicle Category | Luxury Cars |
| Editor | Tom Lankard |
| Model Lineup | Mercedes-Benz CLK320 Coupe ($45,250), Cabriolet ($52,700); CLK500 Coupe ($53,750), Cabriolet ($61,200); CLK55 AMG Coupe ($69,900), Cabriolet ($80,850) |
| Engines (standard) | 3.2-liter sohc 18-valve V6 |
| Engines (optional) | 215-hp 3.2-liter sohc 18v V6; 302-hp 5.0-liter sohc 24v V8; 362-hp 5.4-liter sohc 24v V8 |
| Transmissions (standard) | 5-speed Touch Shift automatic |
| Transmissions (optional) | 5-speed, TouchShift automatic; 7-speed TouchShift automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | dual two-stage frontal airbags; front-seat head and chest side-impact airbags; rear-seat side-impact airbags; antilock brakes with brake assist; electronic stability program; automatic-deploying roll bars (cabriolet); rain-sensing windshield wipers; Tele Aid automatic emergency response notification system; front and rear foglights |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | radar-based cruise control; xenon headlights with heated washer system |
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled In | Osnabrueck, Germany |
| Manufacturer Phone | 800-367-6372 |
| Manufacturer URL | www.mbusa.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 45250 |
| Model Tested MSRP | Mercedes-Benz CLK320 Coupe ($45,250) |
| Standard Equipment | 10-way power-adjustable front seats; 3-setting memory for front seats, steering wheel and exterior mirrors; auto-dimming exterior mirrors; 8-speaker, AM/FM/cassette/CD stereo; dual-zone, automatic climate control with pollen and dust filter; automatic, front seatbelt presenters; programmable, remote opener; heated windshield washers; one-touch up/down power windows; power tilt/telescope steering wheel; keyless remote lock/unlock and top operation; and trip computer |
| Destination Charge | 720 |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | metallic paint ($680); and xenon headlamps and washers ($990) |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | 1000 |
| Price as Tested | 47640 |
| Layout | rear-wheel drive |
| Horse Power | 215 @ 5700 |
| Torque | 229 @ 3000-4600 |
| Fuel Economy | 20/28 |
| Wheelbase | 106.9 |
| Length/Width/Height | 182.6/68.5/55.43 |
| Track Front/Rear | |
| Turning Radius | 35.3 |
| Seating Capacity | 4 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 37.1/53.7/42.0 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | 35.8/45.9/33.0 |
| Trunk Volume | 10.4 |
| Payload | |
| Towing Capacity | |
| Front Suspension | twin lower links, independent strut, coil springs, gas-pressurized twin-tube shocks, stabilizer bar |
| Rear Suspension | 5-link independent, coil springs, gas-pressurized shocks, stabilizer bar |
| Ground Clearance | |
| Curb Weight | 3515 |
| Stock Tires | 225/45ZR17 front; 245/40ZR17 rear |
| Brakes Front/Rear | disc/disc with ABS and Brake Assist |
| Fuel Capacity | 16.4 |
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2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
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