2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class

MERCEDES-BENZ LAUNCHES GRAND EDITION CLK MODELS FOR 2009

Mercedes-Benz is launching two new CLK Grand Edition models for the 2009 model year, and only 1,000 copies of the unique limited-edition cars are being produced. The Grand Edition CLK350 coupe comes in Palladium Silver paint complemented by a Tobacco Brown leather interior with beige stitching and aluminum trim. The Grand Edition version of the soft-top CLK350 Cabriolet is finished in Diamond White, the Tobacco Brown leather with beige stitching and dark brown ash wood trim. Both cars come with Sport body styling and 18-inch AMG wheels. For 2009, all CLK models come with a standard-equipment six-disc CD changer and heated front seats.

The 2009 CLK-Class Lineup

In addition to the limited-production Grand Edition models, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class includes four fun-to-drive Coupe and Cabriolet models in the Ú.S. market – the CLK550 Coupe and Cabriolet (powered by a 5.5-liter V8 engine delivering 382 horsepower and 391 lb.-ft. of torque) and the CLK350 Coupe and Cabriolet (with a 268-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 engine).

While CLK Coupe models have come to epitomize stylish personal transportation, the CLK Cabriolet's ability to carry four people and their luggage helps the car succeed in an extremely competitive market segment.

Breathtaking Design and Performance Define CLK-Class

The CLK line can be identified by a signature Mercedes coupe and roadster treatment that places the three-pointed star in the center of a low, three-bar grille, and what appear to be four lights are actually pairs of conjoined ellipses that form a single unit on each side.

The CLK550 features standard sport suspension and 18-inch five-twin-spoke AMG wheels. Available on the CLK350, the Sport package features 17-inch AMG five-spoke wheels for 2009, plus shorter springs for a slightly lower ride height and sport shocks for crisper handling as well as perforated brake discs and brake calipers that feature Mercedes-Benz branding. The interior of vehicles equipped with the Sport package features black ash wood trim, a black headliner, black carpets and a special instrument cluster complete with white gauges.

High-End Luxury In Mid-Luxury Cabriolets And Coupes

All CLK models come with a stylishly sporty and well-appointed interior. The lines of the dashboard are complemented by its soft-touch surface, providing a luxurious feel and high-quality appearance. The instrument panel uses an aesthetically pleasing mix of analog gauges and vertical LCD bar graphs for the fuel gauge and the coolant temperature.

When front occupants close their doors, an electric motor on each side extends an arm that holds the seat belt, making it easier for the occupants to reach them. The belt presenters retract once the seat belts are buckled or after a pre-set time has passed.

Standard luxury features include digital dual-zone automatic climate control with a sun sensor to optimize air distribution. The 10-way power front seats are unique to the CLK line. To allow easier access to the rear seats, they automatically slide to the front whenever a seatback is tipped forward.

Rain-sensing intermittent wipers and entrance lights add an extra layer of luxury that helps reduce driving stress, and the center console houses two cupholders and a storage compartment.

High-Tech Optional Features
Complete with a high-pressure water jet wash system, optional bi-xenon headlights with active curve illumination feature dynamic adjusters that shift their beams in response to the steering angle, providing up to a 90% increase in usable illumination through corners. Other optional features include Keyless-Go, active ventilated seats, an electronic trunk closer and a wood/leather steering wheel.

Thoroughbred Chassis

The fun-to-drive CLK line uses a strut front suspension with split lower links (for better energy absorption in a frontal impact), coil springs, twin-tube gas shocks and a stabilizer bar. The rear suspension is the latest version of the patented five-link design used on all Mercedes-Benz cars.

Rack and pinion steering delivers precise, direct feel and response while providing an additional safety benefit – the steering rack is mounted on a deformable aluminum subframe that doesn't impede absorption of crash energy. The CLK also features speed-sensitive steering, which provides ample power-steering assist for easier parking and low-speed maneuvers, with reduced boost at speed for better road feel.

The 2009 CLK line features standard Mercedes active safety innovations such as ESP stability control, ABS anti-lock brakes, straight-line ASR traction control, and Brake Assist. The latest Mercedes-Benz safety technology includes dual-stage front air bags, front side air bags and, on coupe models, window curtain air bags. Cabriolets are fitted with head/thorax side bags in the front.