2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class

Making good use of the quality C-Class platform is the CLK coupe and convertible models; a ‘cheaper’ Mercedes-Benz coupe that bridges the gap between the really big Merc cars, and offers a fairly sporting Mercedes model that is almost affordable to the man or woman in the street.

‘Merged’ twin headlights and a slightly smaller-than-usual family three-bar front grille make up a Mercedes face that means business. The bonnet caresses those headlights with gentle curves in its outer edges, whilst again; a signature look for many of the Mercedes range, the CLK gets a high shoulder-line and powerful flanks, ending in a clean and tidy rear end – classic Mercedes good-looks, basically. 

Both the coupe and the convertible retain a pleasantly chunky look that certainly feels sporty whilst still delivering an easy-going drive that is totally relaxing when the mood takes you. 

The luxurious (when specified) cabins will certainly help in the relaxation stakes, and this is an almost completely practical coupe, seating as it does, four adult passengers with a respectable amount of space; they will have to climb past the front seats to gain entry to the rear mind you, but hey, that’s all part of the coupe-cruising experience, right? 

Inside there is to find all of the usual comfort and safety features typical of the Mercedes-Benz brand; some will come as standard whilst the others will be found on the dreaded options lists. From the factory, the car comes with front and side airbags, ABS with Brake Assist and Electronic Stability Program, power windows and mirrors, air-operated retractable rear head restraints, alloy wheels, CD/radio audio system and seating options from cloth to leather.

Engine choice is almost endless, with a decent selection of Merc’s latest range of either very efficient, or very fast power-plants, to fill up the engine bay - you can turn your CLK into a cruiser or a bruiser. The offerings include the 1.8-litre, 4-cylinder, supercharged CLK 200 Kompressor, making 184bhp and 250Nm of torque, the 3-litre, V6 CLK 280, pushing-out 231bhp and 300Nm of torque, the 3.5-litre, V6 CLK 350, producing 272bhp and 350Nm of torque, and the 5.5-litre CLK 500 churning out 388bhp and 530Nm of torque.