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Say sayonara to the 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK 500 and hola to the 2007 Mercedes-Benz CLK 550, so named for its new 5.5-liter V8 that develops 388 horsepower and 390 ft-lbs. of torque. The outgoing CLK 500 had a 5.0-liter V8 developing 302 horsepower and 339 ft-lbs. of torque, which apparently didn't leave enough room between the midrange CLK and the "base" CLK 350 with its 268-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6. The new CLK 550 now fits nicely between the CLK 350 and the range topping CLK 63 AMG that produces 475 horsepower from the division's thundering 6.3-liter V8.
The CLK 550 will shave .7 seconds off the outgoing model's 0-60 time by reaching that mark in 5.2 seconds, and despite the big bump in power will have the same fuel mileage. Mercedes-Benz already has the model up on its North American site, though pricing is listed as TBA.
[Source: Mercedes-Benz]
Press release:
Sheer driving pleasure - CLK-Class with new V8 engine and attractive equipment package
Stuttgart, Jul 19, 2006
Bolstered by a new V8 engine developing 285 kW/388 hp, the CLK 500 Coupé and Cabriolet models now serve up sports car-esque driving pleasure. The newly developed 5.5-litre V8 engine boasts a peak torque of 530 Nm (outgoing model: 460 Nm), allowing the CLK-Class to deliver a virtuoso performance: the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h takes just 5.2 seconds (outgoing model: 5.9 seconds), while the top speed is 250 km/h (electronically limited). Despite the 26 per cent boost in power, NEDC combined fuel consumption remains at an impressive 11.4 – 11.5 l per 100 km, matching the excellent figure posted by the previous model. Now customers can further upgrade their CLK models by adding the sports and styling package, which includes leather multicontour seats, metallic paintwork, an AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel with shift paddles (with the automatic transmission) and aluminium sports pedals. The six and eight-cylinder petrolengined versions with an automatic transmission boast the special 7G-TRONIC Sport seven-speed transmission (standard in the CLK 350 and 500). In terms of exterior features, the package comprises 18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels, AMG bodystyling – for the front and rear apron and the side skirt panels – as well as an AMG spoiler lip on the boot lid and a chromed AMG twin tailpipe. These visual enhancements lend both the Cabriolet and the Coupé an even more dynamic aura. Plus the sports suspension and perforated front brake discs make the CLK even more of a pleasure to drive. The sports and styling package is available now for € 4402.00 (incl. 16 % VAT).
