Spied: 2009 Mercedes CLK
Caught on film earlier today in Stuttgart, Germany, is the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK. Scheduled for release in 2009, the new CLK replaces the nearly five-year-old current model which has only seen one facelift. Our spy tells us the 2009 CLK coupe should come out in early 2009, with the rag-top convertible being released just in time for summer.
Mercedes needs to upgrade its CLK to best the BMW 3-Series coupe, the Audi A5 coupe, and the 2009 Audi A5 convertible.
The new CLK should have three different engine choices, including a V6 with 272 horsepower, a 388 horsepower V8, and a nasty 503 horsepower CLK 63 AMG. There may also be a 428 horsepower option as well, along with diesel engines for some markets. Likewise, the 4-matic system should be an option. We look forward to seeing how Mercedes will release this as a hybrid.
This update on the CLK should be a little more upmarket, as well. We eagerly await a little more class and style on this car's exterior, but until a little more black tape and prototype-casing is dropped, we'll have to keep wondering what the exact look of this car will be. Our spy on the streets of Germany believes the four-eyes front end "will be quite different from the looks of the C-Class."
What interests me is the exact release date of the fabulous car...Does anyone here know?.
thats what you think..i agree that the CLK is in desperate need of restyling. first, its been around too long so it retains too many of the elements of the previous generation benzes, and secondly the current one's just too plain. the CLK really needs a 'refreshning'
Its too plain? Don't tell me you are the type of person that loves Chris Bangle and his BMW travesties like the 6 Series... This car doesn't need a refresh because it can't look better than it already does. Why do you think the last upgrade was just merging the four grill bars into three and updating the tail lamps?. If it ain't broke dont fix it. I'd know, I look at mine every day :)
No. I think the 6 series is one of the most overpriced ugliest cars, along with the 7 series before it got its facelift. In my opinion, there is definetly room for improvement inhe CLK. The current one is still very nice looking nevertheless (the CLK was always meant to be elegant) but compared to the SL,it seems a little too bloated. Mercedes has moved onto a new design philosophy for their current generation cars and the CLK is behind, in a sense if you compare it to the likes of the new C, CL, S and even the facelifted E class as well.
Nice car :) W208 and W209 one of the best coupe models on the market....
Retractable hardtop anyone? I mean come on, even the G6 is doin it.
I think ragtop is good, more space in the boot and I think Mercedes CLK should stick to tradition that's what makes this car so unique :-)
The clk really should get a retractable hard top. Ragtops aren't really tradition; the car's only been around for two generations (four counting minor facelifts). Even its main competitor, the 3 series has it. Personally I think ragtops make these expensive cars look so cheap.
In the CLKs case yes Ragtops are tradition I have a picture of all these wagons since the fifties and there are all Ragtops. I can post the Picture if you like and with the permission of GERMANCARFANS:COM. Just post a message and I will do so immediately because I think you need to see it to understand what I mean by tradition :-)
yes but the car that they actually started labeling 'CLK' has only been around for two generations.
Its only been tradition because the technology wasnt available until recently. After "trickle-down" (Reaganomics 101!) this technology can be easily engineered into this price segment. I mean damn, Eos' are going for 20K! Used G6 convertibles are a little more than half that!
Well I repect your opinions dut I think that if you want a "CAB" that looks like a coupe then buy a coupe and a cab thats two cars. The EOs is a hybrid a cross between a coupe and a cab and its called a CC EOs CC, which means coupé cab. As I see it, you have a choice to make either you choose the coupé or you choose the cab. I will choose the cab that looks like a cab even with the "RAGTOP" up. It seems to me that you guys want to have both a cab and a coupé :-)
The BMW 3 Series coupe will always be a better car tha Mercedes CLK.
I think you misunderstood the word 'better'... The Mercedes-Benz CLK is a work of art and as we all know we cannot have a 'better' work of art, if you understand what I mean. Better cars come and go, but in the case of the CLK it?s always a work of art and that?s "unique" :-)
I've been waiting for this car a long time hopefully it will be released on time for my 50th birthday and what a present it will be :-)
Can't wait to see it without all the camo. Should be another good looking car from Benz.
Some idiots say that BMW 3 Series coupe is better than CLK. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ..... Funny !
BMW 3 series is just better. Involving driving, great built quality and it simply a better car! latest body is even better looking than the merc! get over the "image" of the tri-star and choose the propeller! Who says Merc is better knows NOTHING about cars. Go shopping for clothes!
We eagerly await a little more class and style on the car's exterior? ARE YOU PEOPLE BLIND!! The 209 Model CLK is one of the best looking Mercs around! Its the visual punch of an SL with four seats that you can actually fit people into! Its amazing! BMW never tried fitting anyone into the back of their e46 and e90 model convertibles haha.