Mercedes CLK AMG

Mercedes CLK AMG: Which Version to Buy and Why

The Mercedes CLK AMG choice depends on whether the priority is lower fuel consumption, stronger performance, open-air motoring, or the most extreme specification. The model data covers four catalogue series from 1999–2010: the first-generation Coupe, its Cabrio restyling, the second-generation Cabrio, and its restyling.

The Mercedes CLK AMG choice depends on whether the priority is lower fuel consumption, stronger performance, open-air motoring, or the most extreme specification. The model data covers four catalogue series from 1999–2010: the first-generation Coupe, its Cabrio restyling, the second-generation Cabrio, and its restyling. Although the database counts four series, these represent two generations with restyled phases inside each generation. Every listed version is Gasoline, Automatic, and RWD. The key choices are the naturally aspirated 5.4 AT with 347 hp or 367 hp, the compressor-equipped 5.4 AT with 582 hp, and the later naturally aspirated 6.2 AT with 481 hp.

Mercedes CLK AMG generations: what changed?

The first generation began with the 1999–2000 Coupe and one 5.4 AT version. Its 5,439 cc engine produces 347 hp and 510 Nm, while the car has a 1,550 kg kerb weight. The 2000–2003 restyling changed the body to Cabrio and lists two 5.4 AT versions, both with 347 hp and 510 Nm. One weighs 1,755 kg and accelerates from 0–100 km/h in 6.2 seconds; the other weighs 1,550 kg and completes the same run in 5.4 seconds.

The second-generation Cabrio covers 2002–2005 and offers three 5.4 AT entries. Two naturally aspirated versions produce 367 hp and 510 Nm, with kerb weights of 1,820 kg and 1,645 kg. The third 5.4 AT uses a Compressor and raises output to 582 hp and 800 Nm. At 1,748 kg, it reaches 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and has a 320 km/h top speed.

The 2005–2010 second-generation restyling lists four Cabrio entries. Two 5.4 AT versions retain 367 hp and 510 Nm, while two 6.2 AT versions produce 481 hp and 630 Nm. The 6.2 AT also changes from the 5-speed Automatic used by the 5.4 AT to a 7-speed Automatic. Ground clearance rises from the second generation’s 120 mm to 150 mm across the restyled range.

Mercedes CLK AMG engine and specs

Calculated from the supplied displacement and output figures, the 347 hp 5.4 AT delivers about 63.8 hp per litre, and the 367 hp 5.4 AT delivers about 67.5 hp per litre. The compressor 582 hp 5.4 AT reaches about 107.0 hp per litre. The 481 hp 6.2 AT produces about 77.5 hp per litre. Therefore, the compressor 5.4 AT has the highest specific output despite sharing its 5,439 cc displacement with the less powerful versions.

Mercedes CLK AMG performance and mpg

The performance leader is the 2002–2005 5.4 AT with 582 hp: it is 0.7 second quicker to 100 km/h and 70 km/h faster at maximum speed than the quickest 6.2 AT. Its fuel-consumption figures are not measured, however, so the data cannot support an economy comparison for that version.

Among versions with measured consumption, the first-generation 5.4 AT entries have the lowest combined figure at 11.7 L/100 km. The light 2005–2010 5.4 AT needs 12.8 L/100 km combined, which is 1.1 L/100 km more, despite its 1,465 kg kerb weight. Both 6.2 AT entries consume 14.2 L/100 km combined, or 2.5 L/100 km more than the 11.7 L/100 km first-generation figure.

Mercedes CLK55 AMG and CLK63 AMG weight, clearance, tank, and wheels

Weight per horsepower sharpens the comparison. The 582 hp 5.4 AT carries about 3.0 kg per hp, the best result here. The 1,685 kg 6.2 AT has about 3.5 kg per hp, while its 1,805 kg counterpart has about 3.8 kg per hp. The lightest 367 hp 5.4 AT weighs about 4.0 kg per hp, and the lightest 347 hp 5.4 AT weighs about 4.5 kg per hp.

Which Mercedes CLK AMG version should you buy?

For outright performance, choose the 2002–2005 5.4 AT with 582 hp. Its Compressor engine supplies 215 hp and 290 Nm more than the other second-generation 5.4 AT versions. It also has the quickest 0–100 km/h time, the highest top speed, and the best weight-to-power ratio in the data. The trade-off is uncertainty over running consumption because its city, highway, and combined figures are not measured.

For a later, naturally aspirated alternative, choose the 2005–2010 6.2 AT with 481 hp and a 1,685 kg kerb weight. It is 120 kg lighter and 0.1 second quicker to 100 km/h than the other 6.2 AT, while engine output, torque, top speed, and measured consumption are identical. Compared with the restyled 5.4 AT, either 6.2 AT adds 114 hp and 120 Nm, as well as a 7-speed rather than 5-speed Automatic, but combined consumption rises to 14.2 L/100 km.

For the strongest balance of measured economy and performance, the 2002–2005 5.4 AT with 367 hp and a 1,645 kg kerb weight is the most convincing compromise. It reaches 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds and consumes 12 L/100 km combined. That makes it 0.2 second quicker and 0.1 L/100 km more economical than the 1,820 kg version from the same series.

For the lowest measured combined consumption, select a first-generation 5.4 AT at 11.7 L/100 km. The 1999–2000 Coupe and the lighter 2000–2003 restyled Cabrio both reach 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds, but the Cabrio’s wheel sizes are not measured. Buyers prioritizing a Cabrio, complete wheel-size data, and the first generation’s economy figure can instead consider the 1,755 kg restyled 5.4 AT, accepting its slower 6.2-second acceleration. No price, sale, reliability, or problem data is provided, so those factors cannot be used to rank the versions.