For 2006, the Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class undergoes numerous changes. The most noticeable is the addition of two new models, the V6-powered CLK350 coupe and CLK350 cabriolet, which replace the corresponding CLK320 models of 2005. The CLK500 coupe and cabriolet and the CLK55 AMG cabriolet carry over from 2005.
New equipment includes a new seven-speed automatic transmission standard on all models (except for the CLK55 AMG, which uses a five-speed); Black Ash wood trim replaces aluminum interior trim on CLK500 models; active bi-Xenon headlamps replace fixed bi-Xenon headlamps on the CLK55 AMG; and new wheels are standard on the CLK350.
Among optional equipment changes, Burl Walnut is optional on CLK350 models, and on CLK500 models equipped with leather interior; a wood shift knob is optional on CLK500 models; extended-mobility tires and a tire pressure monitoring system become optional on all but the CLK55 AMG; and bi-Xenon headlamps that can be added to the CLK350 and CLK500 now have active lighting.
For paint and trim, CLK350 models come with standard leather upholstery in black, beige or dark grey; CLK500 models come with standard leather in black and cappuccino, beige or dark grey; CLK500 models equipped with Burl Walnut wood trim are available with optional black, beige or dark grey leather; the CLK55 AMG is available with standard Nappa leather in Charcoal, Dark Blue or Merlot Red; and on the outside, Storm Red replaces Firemist Red, Iridium Silver replaces Brilliant Silver, and Desert Silver and Everest Green have been discontinued.
The CLK350 coupe and cabriolet use a new-generation 3.5-litre V6 with seven-speed automatic transmission with Touch Shift manual mode, and include eight airbags, ten-way power front seats, CD player, auto-dimming rearview and driver’s side mirror, dual-zone automatic climate control, integrated garage door opener, leather-trimmed wheel, 17-inch wheels, heated washer nozzles, rain-sensing wipers, rubber-studded brushed aluminum pedals and theft alarm system. Cabriolet models include a wind deflector and six airbags.
The CLK500 uses a 5.0-litre V8 with seven-speed Touch Shift automatic transmission and adds eight airbags, split folding rear seats, 17-inch AMG design wheels, AMG-design front air dam, side skirts and rear apron, and four polished stainless-steel exhaust tips. The cabriolet features a wind deflector and six airbags.
The CLK55 AMG is a cabriolet only, and uses a 5.5-litre V8 with five-speed Touch Shift automatic transmission and wheel-mounted paddles. It includes ten-way power heated multi-contour front seats, CD player with digital surround sound system, auto-dimming rearview and driver’s side mirror, wind deflector, six airbags, 18-inch polished AMG wheels, AMG-design front air dam, side skirts and rear apron, active bi-Xenon headlamps and heated washers, heated windshield washer nozzles, and rain-sensing wipers.
Less expensive than the CL-Class, the CLK is based on the C-Class, which means that interior room is a bit tight. Still, the styling is lovely, the performance is good, the coupes offer pillarless elegance and the cabriolets let you feel the wind in your hair. The seven-speed automatic offers lightning-fast gear changes at the tap of a finger, with only hard-core performance fans bemoaning the lack of a fully manual gearbox. The cabriolets use thick tops that keep out noise and weather, and which drop out of sight behind an automatic, body-coloured tonneau at the flip of a switch.
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