Worst Sports Cars: Mercedes CLK (first generation)

Worst Sports Cars: Mercedes CLK (first generation)
The first Mercedes CLK was certainly not a bad car. But it promised much more than it actually delivered.

 

What is it?

The CLK is a luxury mid-size coupe that replaced the EClass Coupe in German company’s portfolio. It was made in two generations, but was discontinued when Mercedes-Benz introduced the E-Class Coupe moniker.

It was made when and where?

Two years after the E-Class W210 debut, the first generation was released in 1997. The first generation was made in Bremen, Germany as a convertible and coupe. This version remained on the production lines for an additional year.Worst Sports Cars: Mercedes CLK (first generation)

Worst Sports Cars: Mercedes CLK (first generation)

Worst Sports Cars: Mercedes CLK (first generation)

Technical information

Although it was promoted as part of the E-Class family the CLK was actually built on the C-Class W202. Two versions were initially available, both with four-cylinder engines. They each produced 136 horsepower (100 Kilowatts) or 197 HP (145 kW). The CLK 320 was launched with a V6 3.2 liter engine a few months later. It was joined by the CLK 430 two year later.

It was so bad!

It would not be a short answer to this question. Although the CLK was not the most expensive sports car, it did have its problems. The first generation of this model failed to deliver as promised. We are not referring to the AMG version with super high range, which was extremely rare and costly.

Let’s begin with the concept. The car featured the familiar four-headlight frontal design, first seen on an E-Class. The taillights suggested that it was based on the E. However, the architecture was actually taken from a smaller, more affordable C-Class. This basically means that customers paid for an E-Class Coupe but received a C-Class Coupe.

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That’s the base engine. A four-cylinder, naturally-aspirated engine in a sports coupe is all you need. Although the CLK 200’s 136 horsepower seems like enough power, its 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) acceleration time was 11.0 seconds. With its 9.1 second acceleration, the CLK 200 Kompressor improved matters. However, the CLK 230 Kompressor was first to deliver real fun behind the wheel.

It’s normal to expect minimal technical issues when you buy a premium vehicle or one that is made by a German manufacturer. Although the first generation CLK was a good model, there were some electrical issues that made it feel less reliable. The defective power windows, complicated front wiper mechanism and electric heated front seats were all defects, particularly in the early years of production.
Worst Sports Cars: Mercedes CLK (first generation)

Worst Sports Cars: Mercedes CLK (first generation)

Worst Sports Cars: Mercedes CLK (first generation)

We are not all in agreement

Motor1.com Contributing editor Chris Bruce disagrees. Here’s why:

The first-gen Mercedes-Benz CLK, even in non-AMG trims, doesn’t deserve to rank among the worst sports cars ever produced. While the 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four cylinder and the supercharged version are both anemic, don’t forget the larger powerplants. The CLK430’s 4.3-liter V8 turns the coupe into a sleek cruiser. It can reach 62 mph (100 km/h) in just six seconds. This is not too bad by late ’90s standards.

Although the E-Class is a nice base, the C-Class’ chassis doesn’t look bad underneath the CLK. It’s more like a grand tourer than an ultra-sporty coupe, so the non-AMG version feels more like a sports coupe. Although it’s not a track car, the vehicle can be driven in a fast manner.

I am reminded of the first-gen, non AMG CLK-Class, which is a German version of American personal luxury coupes from the 1970s like the Cadillac Eldorado and Lincoln Continental Mark IV. The Mercedes is designed to showcase the driver’s lifestyle and style. Although the long hood and large headlights are appealing, they can also be a bit brash. People will notice a hint of swagger when they see one.