You can also go back to the CLK GTR’s awesomeness.
We enjoy watching the many versions of YouTube car evolution videos. The latest Cars Evolution video walks us through the history of the Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class. It spent 12 years infatuating and infuriating car enthusiasts depending on their disposition. The CLK was an interesting combination of EClass looks and CClass underneathpinnings. Some people thought it tasted like peanut butter and jelly. Others felt it more like peanut butter with battery acid.
No matter your place on the CLK chart – almost everyone agrees that the CLK GTR, which technically belonged to the CLK-Class, was an incredible machine. This supercar was built for racing and only 26 were made for road use. The video, which features the 1997 CLK 320 Coupe and a boring CLK introduction, reminds us how much we love our GTR while also providing a GTR education for some. The video features two rare versions of the GTR that are often overlooked – the CLK GTR Supersport, with a larger 7.3-liter V12 and the CLK GTR Roadster. We still love them as much today as we did back in the 2000s, when there were six Roadsters and two Supersports.
Although the CLK GTR is a difficult act to follow, the video gives us a nice overview of AMG’s participation in the CLK-Class over the years. The 2003 CLK 55AMG was a great car. We’d choose one over the 2007 CLK63 AMG, despite the power difference. The 2009 CLK 500 is the final part of the CLK experiment. Mercedes-Benz transformed the models into the E-Class in 2010.
It’s easy to forget, when you watch this video, that this branch of Mercedes was also home to the forgettable CLK200. These days, a CLK230 Kompressor can be purchased for the same price as a pair of new shoes. In late 2016, we had our own Motor1.com family dispute about the CLK-Class, with Anthony Karr (scribe) and Chris Bruce (scriber) arguing over whether the first-generation CLK was worthy worst sports cars.
It’s a moniker that has produced some great machines, whether you love it or not.