Mercedes-Benz CLK классының тарихы және сипаттамасы

The C208/A208 Mercedes Benz CLK Class was introduced in 1997, and was based on the W202 Mercedes Benz C Class launched three years earlier. The C208 coupé was the first generation of the Mercedes Benz CLK Class and was subsequently replaced by the C209 CLK Class in 2002 (for the 2003 model year), although the convertible remained in production till March 2003 when replaced by the A209 CLK. In total 233,367 units of the first generation CLK were manufactured in its coupé form, when production ceased in May 2002 and additional 115,161 cabriolets assembled at Karmann plant in Osnabrück.

In 1993, Mercedes presented Coupé Concept at the Geneva Motor Show, a four seater coupé with a four headlamp front end similar to the 1995 E Class W210 series. Design patents for the Coupé Concept were filed on 25 February 1993 in Germany and 25 August 1993 in the US. The CLK introduced a new market niche for Mercedes Benz. Although the C208 used components from the E Class (W210), aesthetic based on the E Class and had a specification level higher than the E Class, it was in fact based on the less expensive C Class (W202) platform. Three versions were initially available: the four cylinder CLK 200 and four cylinder supercharged CLK 200 Kompressor and CLK 230 Kompressor
The CLK 320 Coupé was introduced in the 1997 model year, powered by a 3.2 L V6 engine. The CLK GTR FIA GT1 racing car appeared in 1998, powered by a 6.0 L V12 engine; 25 road going CLK GTRs were made. All models were available in both coupé and convertible form.

In late 1999 for the 2000 model year, a facelift was launched which incorporated, among others, a revised instrument cluster with a bigger multifunction display, steering wheel with controls for the multifunction display and radio, Tiptronic automatic gearbox, revised bumpers, new side skirts and wing mirror mounted turn signal repeaters. The , M113 4.3 L V8 powered CLK 430 Cabriolet appeared in 1999. The high performance CLK 55 AMG, which was introduced first in Europe in 2000, was powered by the M113 5.4 L V8 engine; the model was manufactured from 1999, both as coupé and cabriolet.

From 2000, Mercedes modified the M111 in line four engine range, detuning the 200 Kompressor from 192 to 163 PS as an EVO engine. Some of the improvemnts included reinforced cylinder block, new cylinder head, individual coil on plug ignition with new iridium tipped spark plugs for longer replacement intervals, connecting rods and pistons capable of higher compression ratio, dual oxygen sensors and replacement of the Eaton M62 supercharger with Eaton M45 unit. Two litre, naturally aspirated unit was discontinued, while both Kompressor models received new six speed manual transmission as standard, as well as a Sequentronic six speed manual transmission with sequential gear shift mechanism and an automatic clutch control. In 2000 the engine was refreshed and updated but detuned with a new supercharger.

The Master Edition was a 2001 limited edition of the coupé variant of the CLK. It was inspired by the AMG prepared race car that ran in the DTM championship. During the 2000 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season, Bernd Schneider won six races and secured both driver's and D2 AMG Mercedes team's championship. He then repeated this feat a year later in 2001 DTM season. Road going car was based on the "Avantgarde" trim with AMG specific upgrades, including leather sports steering wheel, AMG badged door sills, gearshift lever and floor mats with the inscription of the edition. On the outside front fenders included "Master Edition" script, 17 inch light alloy wheels in AMG design, specific exhaust pipe with an AMG cover and full AMG bodykit with front and rear aprons as well as the side sill panels, as seen on the CLK 55 AMG. Most engine options were available for the new special model: the 2.0 or 2.3 litre Kompressor, the 3.2 litre V6 and the 4.3 litre V8. Portugal was assigned only 30 units of the edition.

When the CLK Cabriolet was nearing it's replacement by the new C209 generation, Mercedes marketed a run out limited edition called the Final Edition. Exterior features included optional Cubanite silver gray metallic paint, 17 inch five spoke light alloy wheels, chrome details and "Final Edition" script on the front fenders. Interior was finished with Gray Nappa/Alcantara upholstery, wood and leather steering wheel, decorative elements in burr walnut, chrome details and floor mats with "Final Edition" script. This edition was available as a 200 or 230 Kompressor, 320 V6 or 430 V8.

A specially modified version of the CLK 55 AMG was used during the 1997 F1 season and 1998 as a safety car. It pre dated the production CLK 55 AMG available to customers by two years.

The Mercedes Benz CLK GTR was a V12 mid engine race car developed for the 1997 FIA GT Championship. It shared only the instrumentation, front grille and the four headlamps with the normal CLK C208. Production of the required 25 road cars began in winter of 1998 and finished in the summer of 1999.

The Mercedes Benz CLK DTM was a race version of the CLK developed for the 2000 DTM season.

CLK 55 AMG also served as the base for the further modified race car built by AMG for the Targa Tasmania rally in 2001.