2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK55 AMG Mercedes-Benz CLK55 AMG 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK55 AMG Coupe Coupe RWD Germany Mercedes introduces its much-anticipated CLK55 performance coupe, based off of the already compelling CLK430. Sleek styling, powerful engine, loaded with high-tech amenities. Stiff ride, small back seat, expensive. When Mercedes introduced the CLK320 back in 1998, we instantly fell in love with the sexy coupe and its spirited 3.2-liter V6. Then, in 1999, they brought us the drop top CLK320, along with the V8-powered CLK430 coupe. These models were followed in 2000 by the luxuriously fun CLK430 cabriolet. While each version of the CLK offered a slightly different take on the personal luxury coupe, none of them offered the kind of supercar performance now available in the new CLK55 AMG. Like the E55 and ML55 before it, the CLK55 represents the pinnacle in performance for its class through the use of unique engine, suspension, interior and exterior components. By combining the technical wizardry of AMG engineering with the highly capable CLK platform, Mercedes has created one of its most inspired street cars. Starting with the same 5.0-liter V8 powerplant found in vehicles like the CL500 and S500, AMG punched out the bore and increased the stroke to create 5.5-liters of displacement. The engine block itself is composed of pressure-cast aluminum and uses a forged billet steel crankshaft. Connecting rods and pistons are balanced matched to produce smooth power delivery from idle to redline, and the intake manifold and cylinder heads benefit from improved flow. All this adds up to 342 peak horsepower and 376 foot-pounds of torque. Mated to a strengthened five-speed automatic with Touch Shift control (allowing for automanual shifting) the CLK will get to 60 mph from rest in less than five seconds. Because Mercedes knows that its customers aren't into simple straight-line acceleration (or they'd all just go out and buy 1967 427 Corvettes) the company provides a high tech suspension that uses double wishbones in front and a five-link independent suspension in back. Assisting the driver with everything from inclement weather conditions to emergency maneuvers is a full compliment of Mercedes safety technology, including Electronic Stability Control (ESP), traction control, Brake Assist, and ABS. Additional safety features, such as BabySmart child seat technology, a Smart Key anti-theft ignition switch, and Tele Aid, which can summon emergency services and put the driver in contact with Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance, all come standard on every CLK55. A personal luxury coupe, even one as capable as the CLK55, still has to offer enough luxury to justify its classification. The CLK55 responds with items like dual-zone climate control, one-touch up and down front windows, dual heated and power exterior mirrors, a 10-way power adjustable seat with three-position memory, and a Bose sound system - all as standard equipment. Obvious differences between the CLK55 and other CLKs are minimal, with sportier seats, softer leather, some minor exterior cladding and, of course, those trademark 17-inch, AMG Monoblock wheels being the first tip offs. This may not seem like much distinction considering the CLK55's high cost of entry, but for the quickest Mercedes-Benz sold in America, it sounds like a bargain to us. Audi A6 BMW M5 Jaguar XK-Series Porsche 911 450,000 450,000 UnlimitedUnlimited 450,000 NA NA NA 8 5.5 liters V8 342 hp @ 5500 rpm 376 ft-lbs. @ 2800 rpm 180.3 in. 67.8 in. 54 in. 3323 lbs. 105.9 in. 36.9 in. 35.8 in. 52.9 in. 50.4 in. 53.7 in. 45.9 in. 41.9 in. 31.2 in. 11 cu.ft. Standard Standard Not Available Standard Not Available Standard Standard Rating = Not Tested Rating = Not Tested Not Tested Not Tested Not Tested Not Tested 16.4 gal. 17 mpg / 24 mpg 279 mi. / 394 mi. Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not. $62,682 $67,400 7.35% $645 N/A BASE (5A): 5.5L V8 SOHC SMPI 24-valve engine (requires premium unleaded fuel); 5-speed electronic OD automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter; HD battery; 115 amp alternator; driver's selectable multi-mode auto-manual transmission; rear-wheel drive, traction control, 2.87 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust with tailpipe finisher; sport-ride suspension, electronic stability control control, front independent double-wishbone suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, gas-pressurized front shocks, rear independent multi-link suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs, gas-pressurized rear shocks; power recirculating ball steering; 4-wheel antilock disc brakes; 16.4 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; express open sliding and tilting glass sunroof with sunshade; front and rear body-colored bumpers with body-colored rub strip; body-colored bodyside molding rocker panel extensions; metallic monotone paint; aero-composite high intensity headlamps withwasher, delay-off feature; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; driver's and passenger's body-colored heated folding outside mirrors with turn signal indicators, driver's power remote auto-dimming outside mirror, passenger's power remote with tilt down outside mirror; front 17" x 7.5" silver superior alloy wheels, rear 17" x 8.5" silver superior alloy wheels; P225/45ZR17 BSW performance front tires; 245/40 rear tires; full-size alloy spare wheel; dual-zone front air conditioning with climate control, air filter, rear heat ducts, residual heat recirculation; premium AM/FM stereo radio, seek-scan feature, cassette player, CD changer pre-wiring, 8 premium speakers, theft deterrent, window grid antenna, radio steering wheel controls; cruise control; power door locks with 2-stage unlock, remote keyless entry, power remote hatch/trunk release, power remote fuel door release; cell phone pre-wiring, 1 power accessory outlet, front lighter element(s), driver's footrest, garage door opener, smokers' package, emergency S.O.S.; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, in-dash clock, exterior temp, systems monitor, trip computer, trip odometer; warning indicators include water temp, battery, low oil level, low coolant, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, low washer fluid, bulb failure, service interval, brake fluid; driver's and passenger's front airbags, driver's and front passenger's door mounted side airbags; ignition disable, panic alarm, tracker system, security system; tinted windows with driver's and passenger's 1-touch down function; heated variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers, rain detecting wipers, sun visor strip, rear window defroster, rear power blind; seating capacity of 4, front bucket seats, heated driver's and passenger's seats, power adjustable tilt headrests, center armrest with storage, driver and passenger seats include 10-way power adjustment, power 4-way lumbar support, easyentry; 60/40 folding rear split-bench seat with power adjustable headrests, center armrest; height-adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners; leather seats, leather door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering with carpeted floor mats, genuine wood dashboard insert, leather-wrapped gearshift knob, genuine wood door panel insert, genuine wood console insert, chrome interior accents; memory on driver's and passenger's seats with 3 memory setting(s) includes settings for exterior mirrors, headrests; interior lights include dome light with fade, front reading lights, illuminated entry; leather-wrapped steering wheel with telescopic adjustment; dual illuminated vanity mirrors; auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, rear console with storage, locking glove box with light, front and rear cupholders, instrument panel bin, 2 seatback storage pockets, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, carpeted trunk lid, cargo light; chromegrille, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding and body-colored door handles.