2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK (C209) 500 5AT RWD (306 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Known internally as the C209, the second-generation Mercedes-Benz CLK was unveiled at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show to even higher acclaim than its predecessor. Its exterior design was partly to thank for the great reception, as Mercedes-Benz had finally decided to give its designers more freedom, who chose to remove the B-pillar and pen a traditional coupe in the process.

Like the original CLK, the model had no direct rival, as it sat between the more compact C-Class and the mid-size E-Class in the Mercedes-Benz lineup. This meant it could be priced higher than its traditional competitor from BMW, the 3 Series Coupe, while offering slightly more interior room and better equipment.

Despite being closer in amenities and design to the larger E-Class, the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK (C209) was based on the smaller W203 C-Class platform, which had a few technical downsides. The biggest one was the smaller wheelbase, which somewhat reduced the available passenger leg space. That said, the four seats were reasonably comfortable, and the CLK had more interior room than the BMW 3 Series Coupe E46.

In addition, the W203’s more modern platform also had many benefits. For example, unlike its predecessor, the 2002 CLK used a rack-and-pinion steering system instead of the previous model’s old recirculating ball design. This meant that, despite the increased size and weight, the model drove miles better and had a more appropriate platform for more powerful models, including the massively quick CLK DTM AMG with 582 PS (574 HP).

The Mercedes-Benz CLK (C209) exterior design combined timeless and elegant elements, such as the swooping roof, frameless windows, and the lack of a B-pillar, with Mercedes-Benz features from both the C-Class W203 and the E-Class W211. For example, the front end featured the C-Class’ then-signature twin-headlight design, while the taillights were more similar to those on the E-Class W211.

As with other Mercedes-Benz two-door cars of old, the subtle chrome grille incorporated an oversized three-pointed star in the middle. Despite the hodge-podge of design elements from different models, the result was a cohesive design that stood the test of time. That cannot be said about its interior design, which still had large buttons on the center console and used fake ones in lower-specced versions.

Powertrain-wise, the model was once again a mix between the C-Class and the E-Class, with four- and six-cylinder engines comprising most of the lineup, while the top-of-the-range versions used naturally aspirated V8s, including on the CLK 55 AMG version. Somewhat odd for a dynamic model, the CLK C209 also came with three diesel engine choices for markets outside the US. These included a four-cylinder, a five-cylinder, and a range-topping 3.0-liter V6 diesel. All engines sent their power to the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic transmission, which was replaced with the 7G-Tronic on the 2005 facelift.