Add another model to 1999’s “year of the V-8” at Mercedes-Benz.
The newest V-8 club member is the CLK 430 coupe ($47,900) with a 4.3-liter, 275-h.p. V-8. It joins the CLK 320 coupe ($40,600) with a 3.2-liter, 215-h.p. V-6 and the CLK 320 Cabriolet ($47,200). (Add $595 freight to all).
The 430 is the CLK performance leader. Tap the pedal and go– quickly. Yet the fuel economy isn’t bad (18 m.p.g. city/25 m.p.g. highway) for a 5-speed automatic that “reads” not only driving habits and adjusts shift patterns accordingly, but also detects changes in road grade to delay shifts in order to boost power when traveling up a steep grade.
The 4.3 V-8 boasts a zero-to-60-m.p.h. time of 6.1 seconds versus 6.9 seconds with the V-6, which means you can get to your destination 0.8 seconds sooner with the V-8 than the V-6 CLK– even if it costs you $7,300 more to do so.
While Mercedes promotes the CLK 430’s muscle, numerous features are equally as impressive, including: ESP or Electronic Stability Program, a traction-control system with yaw control (similar to StabiliTrak at Cadillac) that sends power to one wheel to maintain control when spin, slippage, skid or slide is detected in one, two or even three of the other wheels.
Brake Assist, which senses panic braking depending on how quickly you hit the pedal and automatically applies the brakes faster than a human can react.
Baby Smart, the Mercedes child seat with sensors that tell passenger-seat sensors that a child is onboard so the air bag won’t deploy in an impact.
Oil Quality Sensor (similar to what General Motors is planning to add to all of its cars), which measures oil “wear” based not only on city or highway driving mileage, but also on whether you topped off. A dash light signals time to change oil and filter.
The CLK also offers as standard ABS, dual front/side impact air bags, 10-way power front seats, dual zone climate control with dust/charcoal filter, Bose sound system with cassette player and weather band, express-down power windows, dual heated power outside mirrors, anti-theft alarm, cruise control and integrated garage door opener.
