It seems that elegance and refinement are in very short supply these days.
Popular music is dominated by the angry sounds and lyrics of hip-hop and
Hollywood movies play to the tastes of adolescent males.

Countering these trends, however, is the new Mercedes Benz CLK-Class, which
hits a high level of refinement in the contemporary automotive scene. You¹ll
see it and think of Audrey Hepburn in her little black Givenchy dress with a
single strand of pearls around her neck. And if the preceding analogy seems
dated, then come up with something better in the present cultural milieu.

The 2003 CLK-Class was reintroduced in both V-6 and V-8 versions. In its
eight-cylinder form, the CLK500, beauty marries power in a very impressive
package. Able to reach an electronically limited top speed of 130 miles per
hour and dash to 60 miles per hour from a dead stop in just 5.7 seconds,
critics will not be able to pigeon hole the stylish coupe as a ³chick car.²

Here's why the CLK looks like a top contender among luxury coupes:

Design: Mercedes-Benz is selling more than mere transportation at $66,000.
It is marketing luxury and image. A huge part of that image is the company
heritage that traces back to the birth of the auto industry. Mercedes has
done an exceptional job of designing automobiles that look contemporary, yet
tie current models into the company¹s storied past by employing traditional
elements that reference classic Mercedes design. The current Mercedes-Benz
line definitely has a strong family character‹incorporating such elements as
smooth lines, integrated oval headlights, and sloping front ends with strong
grilles and horizontal bars.

While referencing classic Mercedes design, the styling of the CLK coupe
employs an angular geometric simplicity that is a masterpiece of pure line.
The CLK-Class exploits a design element not seen in many years, namely
removing the center pillar from the car¹s side view. This gives the coupe a
sleek look, but demands that the body be engineered to increase overall
structural stiffness.

I particularly like the CLK¹s rear treatment. The flanks taper inward and
the trunk has a slight arch. This is one automobile that looks much better
in person than in photographs.  Right now, Mercedes' great rival BMW is
pressing the design envelope in all kinds of novel ways. Only time will
tell, but I think that the evolutionary approach that Mercedes is taking
will ultimately win.

The interior speaks volumes of excellent components and high-level
craftsmanship. The cockpit fits closely, so very tall or wide people may
have trouble fitting in the compact space. My only real criticism of the
CLK500 is the center console, specifically the unit that controls the audio
and navigation system. I have stated many times that the center controls in
the Mercedes automobiles are just too hard to use. And this time out I spent
extra time trying to master the switches and buttons, but to little avail.
From my perspective, ergonomics are the current frontier for the automotive
industry‹but one in which there seems to be little real progress being made.

Engine and transmission: The 302-horsepower engine is a paragon of power
and smoothness, qualities that often do not come together. The car will whisk you
to any speed you¹d care to go in a few seconds. The engine runs completely
free of any vibration or harshness at all engine speeds. The five-speed
automatic transmission is the best on the planet right now, offering smooth,
responsive shifting throughout its range of operation. The unit also sports
a handy feature that allows you to manually control operation with just a
quick lateral flick of the control lever to engage a lower gear.

Ride and handling:  The CLK is one of the best handling cars in the Mercedes
lineup. The coupe benefits from the adoption of rack-and-pinion steering,
which definitely enhances responsiveness. The ride is sporty, but
nevertheless silky smooth.
 
 

 
Vehicle: Mercedes-Benz CLK500

Price as tested: $65,925

Engine:

         Type: 5-liter V-8

         Horsepower: 302

Fuel economy, automatic transmission

         City - 18 mpg

         Highway - 23 mpg

Curb Weight: 3,585