View source for Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class

{{Infobox automobile
| name = Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
| image = CLK 209 (Cabriolet).jpg
| manufacturer = {{ubl
  |[[Daimler-Benz]] (1996–1998)
  |[[DaimlerChrysler]] (1998–2007)
  |[[Daimler AG]] (2007–2009)
  }}
| production = 1996–2009
| class = {{ubl
  |[[Grand tourer]] ([[S-segment|S]])
  }}
| body_style = {{ubl
  |2-door [[coupé]]
  |2-door [[convertible]]
  }}
| layout = [[Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive]]
| predecessor = [[Mercedes-Benz W124|Mercedes-Benz E-Class (C124/A124)]]
| successor = [[Mercedes-Benz E-Class (C207)|Mercedes-Benz E-Class (C207/A207)]]
}}

The '''Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class''' is a former series of [[mid-size]] or [[compact executive car|entry-level luxury]] [[coupé]]s and [[convertible]]s produced by [[Mercedes-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 the [[Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class]] and [[Mercedes-Benz CL-Class|CL-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-door [[BMW 3 Series|BMW 3]] and [[BMW 6 Series|6]] Series,<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparison-test/a15133289/2004-bmw-645ci-vs-maserati-coup-cambiocorsa-m-b-clk55-amg-comparison-tests/ | title=Tested: 2004 Luxury Sports Coupe Comparison | date=17 March 2021 }}</ref> as well as the [[Audi A4|Audi A4 Cabriolet]] and [[Audi A5]] Coupe/Cabriolet, as well as the [[Maserati Coupe]] and its convertible variant.

Prior to the CLK-Class, the Mercedes [[Mercedes-Benz W124|E-Class]] included a Coupé alongside the saloon/wagon. In 2010, Mercedes changed the CLK-Class nameplate to the [[Mercedes-Benz E-Class (C207)|E-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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1031884_mercedes-benz-clk-coupe-production-comes-to-an-end|title=Mercedes Benz CLK Coupe production comes to an end|work=Motor Authority|access-date=2018-05-05|language=en}}</ref> Then for the 2017-2023 model years, the Mercedes [[Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W213)#Coupé and Cabriolet|E-Class Coupé/Cabriolet]] shared the platform from the E-Class saloon/wagon. For the 2024 model year, Mercedes is releasing the [[Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class|CLE-Class]] which like the CLK-Class will share platforms and components with the C-Class and E-Class.

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{{clear}}

== {{Anchor|C208}}First generation (C208/A208; 1996–2003) ==
{{main|Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class (C208)}}
[[File:2000 Mercedes-Benz CLK 320 (C 208) Elegance coupe (2015-07-03) 01.jpg|thumb|right|A208 CLK-Class]]

The first-generation C208/A208 CLK was introduced in 1997, and was based on the [[Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W202)|W202 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.<ref name="emercedesbenz">{{Cite web|url=https://emercedesbenz.com/autos/mercedes-benz/clk-class/a-look-back-mercedes-benz-clk-model-series-208-premiered-in-january-1997/|title=A Look Back – Mercedes-Benz CLK model series 208 Premiered in January 1997|date=26 January 2022|access-date=11 November 2023|website=emercedesbenz.com}}</ref>

== {{Anchor|C209}}Second generation (C209/A209; 2001–2009) ==
{{main|Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class (C209)}}
[[File:Mercedes CLK55 W209.jpg|thumb|right|C209 CLK-Class]]

The Mercedes-Benz C209/A209 is the second generation CLK-Class, and was launched in 2002 with production starting in June.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mercedes-benz-media.co.uk/en-gb/releases/396/|title=WORLD PREMIERE AT THE GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: THE NEW MERCEDES-BENZ CLK-CLASS CABRIOLET|access-date=2018-05-05}}</ref> The car was available in both [[coupe|hardtop coupé]] (C209) and in [[convertible|soft-top convertible]] form (A209), with a choice of [[gasoline|petrol]] and [[diesel fuel|diesel]] engines. At introduction, a 2.6-litre [[V6 engine|V6]], a 3.2-litre [[V6 engine|V6]], 5.0-litre [[V8 engine|V8]], 5.4-litre [[V8 engine|V8]] petrol engines, and a 2.1 4 cylinder diesel 2.7L [[straight-five engine|inline-5]] diesel and a 3.0 [[v6]] [[diesel fuel|diesel]] engine with a decent 6.5 sec 0-60 figure were 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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.caranddriver.com/news/mercedes-benz-clk-news|title=Mercedes-Benz CLK - News - Car and Driver|work=Car and Driver|access-date=2018-05-05|language=en}}</ref> In 2010, the CLK lineup was discontinued and replaced by the [[Mercedes-Benz E-Class (C207)|C207 E-Class coupé]] and [[Mercedes-Benz E-Class (C207)|A207 E-Class convertible]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://autoweek.com/article/car-news/mercedes-benz-replaces-clk-e-class-coupe|title=Mercedes-Benz replaces CLK with E-class coupe|work=Autoweek|access-date=2018-05-05}}</ref>

== Successor (C207/A207; 2008–2017) ==
{{Main|Mercedes-Benz E-Class (C207)}}
[[File:2011 Mercedes-Benz E250 Sport CDi BlueEFFICIENCY Coupe 2.1 Front.jpg|thumb|right|C207 E-Class]]
The C207/A207 E-Class was introduced as part of the new [[Mercedes-Benz W212|fourth-generation E-Class]] lineup, and was first shown at the 2009 [[Geneva Motor Show]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1032208_geneva-motor-show-debut-for-mercedes-benz-e-class-coupe|title=Geneva Motor Show debut for Mercedes Benz E-Class Coupe|work=Motor Authority|access-date=2018-05-05|language=en}}</ref> It is based on the [[Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W204)|W204 C-Class]] platform,<ref name="autoblog.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/19/2010-mercedes-benz-e-class-coupe-a-c-class-underneath/|title=2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe a C-Class underneath? — Autoblog|last=Shunk|first=Chris|date=2009-05-19|publisher=Autoblog.com|access-date=2009-07-26}}</ref> but shares 60% of its parts with the E-Class sedan and wagon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leftlanenews.com/correction-mercedes-e-class-coupe-is-more-than-60-percent-based-on-e-class.html/ |title=2010 Correction- Mercedes E-Class Coupe Is More Than 60 Percent Based On E-Class |publisher=Leftlanenews.com |date=2010-08-11 |access-date=2010-10-01}}</ref> In 2013, the C207/A207 received a [[facelift (automotive)|facelift]], featuring updated design changes and performance and fuel economy improvements.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-news/first-official-pictures/mercedes-benz/mercedes-e-class-coupe-cabriolet-facelift-2013-first-pictures/|title=Mercedes E-class Coupe & Cabriolet facelift (2013) first pictures|work=CAR Magazine|access-date=2018-05-05|language=en}}</ref> {{clear}}

== Sales figures ==
The following are the sales figures in Europe and in the United States:<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://carsalesbase.com/european-car-sales-data/mercedes-benz/mercedes-benz-clk/|title=Mercedes-Benz CLK European sales figures|work=carsalesbase.com|access-date=2018-06-11|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2013/05/mercedes-benz-clk-sales-figures-usa-canada/|title=Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class Sales Figures -|date=2013-05-30|work=GCBC|access-date=2018-05-28|language=en-US}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center; text-align: center"
!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'''
|}

== References ==
===Notes===
{{reflist|30em}}

=== Bibliography ===
<!-- last updated September 2021 -->
<!--==== General ====-->
{{refbegin}}
* {{Bols-MBP}}
* {{cite book |editor-last1=Clarke |editor-first1=R.M. |title=Mercedes CLK & SLK |series='Road Test' Limited Edition series |date=2001 |publisher=Brooklands Books |location=Cobham, Surrey, UK |isbn=1855205564}}
* {{Brooklands-AMG1GP |editor-mask=6}}
* {{Brooklands-AMG2UP |editor-mask=6}}
* {{MBPersonenwagen-4}}
* {{Hofner-Schrader-MBA-2}}
* {{Deutsche Autos-6}}
* {{Typenkompass MB-2 |author-mask=7}}
* {{Niemann-PvMB}}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Pitt |editor-first=Colin |title=Mercedes-Benz E-Class <!--W210--> |year=2003 |publisher=Unique Motor Books |location=Hockley, Essex, UK |isbn=1841551406 |postscript=(includes W208/C208 CLK).}}
* {{cite book |last=Pitt |first=Colin |title=Mercedes-Benz CLK |year=2015 |publisher=Unique Motor Books |location=Hockley, Essex, UK |isbn=9781841555034 |author-mask=4}}
* {{Schlegelmilch-M-2013}}
* {{Taylor-MB 1990s}}
* {{cite book |last1=Vieweg |first1=Christof |title=Alles über den Mercedes-Benz CLK: Coupé und Cabriolet |trans-title=Everything about the Mercedes-Benz CLK: Coupé and Cabriolet |series=Technik transparent series |date=2000 |publisher=DaimlerChrysler |location=Stuttgart |isbn=3932786130 |edition=3rd |language=de}}
* {{cite book |title=Mercedes C-Klasse: Technik, Fahrtberichte, Tests, Vergleichstests (Limousine, Kombi, Sportcoupé, Cabrio, Coupé: alle Modelle seit 2000) |trans-title=Mercedes C-Class: Technology, Drive Reports, Tests, Comparison Tests (Sedan, Wagon, Sport Coupé, Cabriolet, Coupé: all models since 2000). |series=Auto, Motor und Sport spezial series |year=2003 |publisher=Motorbuch Verlag |location=Stuttgart |isbn=3613023032 |language=de}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class}}

{{Mercedes-Benz vehicles}}

[[Category:Mercedes-Benz vehicles|CLK-Class]]
[[Category:Coupés]]
[[Category:Convertibles]]
[[Category:Grand tourers]]
[[Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1997]]
[[Category:2000s cars]]