Jeremy Clarkson Almost Wets His Pants Reviewing The New Mercedes CLK Black

Jeremy Clarkson Almost Wets His Pants Reviewing The New Mercedes CLK Black
The standard CLK is not the most exciting car in the Mercedes range. It sits in the mix like Peter sits in the Fonda family. Or that other bloke who wasn’t Paul Weller and Bruce Foxton in the Jam.

It’s based on the old C-class saloon, which means it’s not as nice to drive as the current C-class saloon. And to make it even less appealing, it has fewer doors, less space inside and is considerably more expensive. This wouldn’t be so bad if it were a looker, but it’s a bit like the girl next door’s plump sister.

On paper, the Black looks like even more of a cockup. Because they’ve removed most of the luxury trimmings and the rear seats found in the normal 63 AMG version, and this has somehow made the car heavier. And then they’ve added a whopping £34,000 to the standard car’s already eyewatering list price of £66,000.

For sheer excitement, the CLK Black is a match for absolutely anything. Since it went back to Mercedes, I have been thinking about it a lot. Because I’m not sure that anyone’s life is quite complete unless they have one.


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AutoEngAutoEng - 2/24/2008 3:49:19 PM
+4 Boost
He sounds genuinely impressed. I know better than to take Jezza's reviews too seriously, but I can't help but wonder what he would have thought of the CLK DTM AMG.

In comparison, the CLK Black Edition is soft and fat!


CLK63BlackSeriesCLK63BlackSeries - 2/24/2008 5:33:07 PM
+2 Boost
Soft... not by any means.
Fat... okay, maybe just a tad chubby.


Matthew1Matthew1 - 2/24/2008 11:41:36 PM
0 Boost
Actually, the Black Series is dynamically superior to the DTM. Yes, the DTM is more 'hard-core', as it is very close to a race car, but it is uncompromising on the road and was built before AMG's new-found commitment to chassis and handling balance to take on BMW's M-cars.

The Black Series offers more feelsome steering, an extremely well-sorted chassis while being usable on any road, not just a flat, smooth surface.

This is backed up by EVO magazine, who rates the CLK Black a star and a half above the DTM.


MrGunFunMrGunFun - 2/24/2008 4:58:40 PM
+2 Boost
I love Jeremy Clarkson's job.


VRstage2STiVRstage2STi - 2/24/2008 4:59:47 PM
+3 Boost
Yeah theres no denying the DTM's superiority, but theres that small problem of the extra give or take $175,000 you're gonna have to spend to get it.


EnnNorakEnnNorak - 2/24/2008 11:31:31 PM
-4 Boost
If you take the price of the featured vehicle and add your $175K you have enough to buy a Bentkley Brooklands Coupe with all its comforts.


zairnaimzairnaim - 2/24/2008 5:01:21 PM
+1 Boost
I went to cias yesterday and saw the 1 series coupe it was very nice. does it come in sedan as well? i also saw the new m3 that was just amazing. the is-f was also there. i found that that looked quite aggressive the hood bulge was not as prominent from the front as the M3's only from the side it looked awkward even the exhaust didn't look that bad.


jeeka715jeeka715 - 2/24/2008 5:35:16 PM
+1 Boost
+1 for giving an honest take on the M3 AND the IS-F. Seeing as you are one of only a few to actually see both of them in person, at the same time....

I won't even make a comment on the CLK, because I am too busy picking my jaw up off the ground in amazement. Ok, one comment...It's GORGEOUS!


BMW4me4everBMW4me4ever - 2/25/2008 1:11:55 PM
+2 Boost
I have seen the Clk Black in person. One of our advisors just delivered one to a customer. It is a pretty wicked looking car.


MonkMonk - 2/25/2008 6:00:34 PM
+4 Boost
the clk black would kill the is-f


Threepoint1415926Threepoint1415926 - 2/24/2008 8:23:01 PM
+8 Boost
Sounds fun!

"...the simple fact of the matter is this: for sheer excitement, the CLK Black is a match for the 430.
For sheer excitement, the CLK Black is a match for absolutely anything."


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 2/25/2008 2:38:44 AM
+6 Boost
i love this quote...

"That’s what the Black feels like. Exciting beyond words. Terrifyingly exciting. White-knuckle, eyes-on-stalks, sweaty-armpit and tensed-buttocks exciting."


M35MTM35MT - 2/25/2008 8:31:15 AM
+4 Boost
That thing looks awesome, I'll take one in black. They should be only available in black.


2ndbimmer2ndbimmer - 2/25/2008 11:29:48 AM
+1 Boost
It is a bad to the bone machine, I will take it in white.


ThierryHenry14ThierryHenry14 - 2/25/2008 11:32:54 AM
+1 Boost
Great car, great review...


CLK63BlackSeriesCLK63BlackSeries - 2/25/2008 10:56:10 PM
+1 Boost
silver for me =]


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