MB CLK 55 Cabriolet
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CLK 55 AMG Cabriolet: sheer dynamism
- Powerful AMG V8 engine developing 270 kW/367 hp
- AMG SPEEDSHIFT with gear shift lever on the steering wheel
- AMG sports suspension, 18-inch wheels and high-performance brakes
- AMG sports seats with exclusive nappa nubuck leather appointments
Featuring V8 power, dynamic ride characteristics and a high-quality standard specification, the CLK 55 AMG Cabriolet is the ultimate open-top sports model in the CLK-Class range. And, above all with its 5.5-litre, eight-cylinder engine that develops 270 kW/367 hp – 15 kW/20 hp more than the previous model – the four-seater lives up to this billing. Peak torque is 510 Nm and arrives at 4000 rpm.
Perfectly honed by Mercedes-AMG, the V8 power plant equipped with three valves per cylinder and dual ignition delivers exemplary performance and torque characteristics. The engine is just as at home when accelerating dynamically as it is during relaxed cruising in high gear with immense power reserves. It enables the CLK 55 AMG Cabriolet to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds, almost a second faster than its predecessor.
The same forged aluminium pistons are used here as in motor racing, while specially developed oil injection jets ensure that the pistons are reliably cooled, even under the most extreme conditions. A newly developed twin-scroll intake system, “constructed” camshafts and a specially tuned variable induction system ensure that the cylinders are optimally filled, so providing the technical basis for the engine’s sporting characteristics.
The exhaust system, with its extra-large tailpipes, features two bulkhead and two underfloor catalytic convertors. When combined with specially designed sound-damping systems, this creates a limited amount of exhaust gas back pressure. The chrome-plated twin tailpipes thus issue forth the sonorous V8 sound so typical of AMG which, especially when the roof is open, sounds so tantalising without being intrusive.
The fuel consumption of the CLK 55 AMG Cabriolet is 12.3 litres per 100 kilometres (EUDC combined), while its eight-cylinder engine already complies with the EU 4 emissions limits that will come into effect in 2005.
The AMG 5.5-litre V8 engine is hand-assembled in the engine production plant. One technician is responsible for assembling one complete engine at a time – and vouches for it with his or her signature on the engine plate.
AMG-SPEEDSHIFT with manual mode and steering wheel paddle shift
The five-speed automatic transmission with AMG-SPEEDSHIFT provides the perfect complement to the AMG eight-cylinder engine's dynamic power delivery. Manual mode ("M") gives the driver the option of using either the soft-touch gear change or the gearshift paddles on the steering wheel. In addition, the gears are not changed automatically in this mode, meaning that the driver can utilise the immense pulling power to the full, even with the throttle wide open. Other SPEEDSHIFT functions also come into their own during sporty driving: just a little pressure to the left on the shift lever and the transmission will immediately select the ideal gear speed for powerful acceleration, depending on the car’s speed and engine characteristics. In the same way, if the engine decelerates, the transmission will automatically switch to a lower gear, selecting the appropriate gear speed for the particular situation. When driving at speed through bends, the transmission will stick reliably to the selected gear speed, so avoiding the unexpected effects of load alteration. Shorter and more spontaneous gear changes, as well as torque converter lockup in any gear, round off the functions of the AMG-SPEEDSHIFT.
AMG high-performance brakes and 18-inch light-alloy wheels
The leading-edge technology at the heart of the engine and driveline is matched by the suspension and brake technology in every respect. The generously dimensioned high-performance brakes ensure exemplary deceleration and optimum sensitivity. Four-piston fixed-caliper disc brakes with internally ventilated and perforated brake discs on the front axle, combined with two-piston fixed-caliper disc brakes at the rear, ensure a high level of safety, whatever the situation on the road. Maximum deceleration is 10.4 m/s2, a vivid indication of the brake system's immense power reserves.
Equipped with AMG sports suspension, AMG light-alloy wheels (18-inch) with an attractive twin-spoke design and wide-base tyres – size 225/40 at the front and 255/35 at the rear – the CLK 55 AMG Cabriolet has absolutely everything it takes to ensure agile handling, dynamic cornering speeds and, in true Mercedes tradition, a high level of long-distance cruising comfort.
Dynamic and harmonious integration of AMG styling
Even at just a brief glance, there is no mistaking the position of the CLK 55 AMG Cabriolet as a top-of-the-range sports model. The captivating design of the open-air four-seater is made even more dynamic by the powerful AMG bodystyling: the prominent front apron with large cooling air openings and integrated fog lamps, as well as the side skirts and rear apron, harmoniously blend in with the overall design. At the rear, the chromed oval tailpipes of the AMG sports exhaust system provide another visual highlight. Furthermore their impressive V8 sound serves to emphasise the sporty dynamism of the car. The spoiler lip on the boot lid reduces the lift acting on the rear axle by over 50 percent. What's more, the CLK Cabriolet from Mercedes-AMG posts an unrivalled cd figure of 0.30.
Exclusive leather interior and high-grade appointments
Sporting prowess and exclusivity abound in the interior of the CLK 55 AMG Cabriolet. AMG door sills, AMG aluminium trim with decorative chrome strips, an instrument cluster with white dials and the ergonomically designed AMG sports steering wheel with gearshift paddles all combine to create an extraordinary ambience without compromising on practicality. The electrically adjustable, heated AMG sports seats with multicontour function are available with single-tone leather upholstery (Alpaca grey) or a two-tone nappa nubuck leather combination (anthracite, merlot red, dark blue).
With the new designo range, the car becomes even more exquisite: the CLK 55 AMG Cabriolet is given a very special flair by a choice of twelve special metallic paintwork colours, up to eleven shades for the leather upholstery and three unique trim finishes. This exclusive optional range is rounded off with fine Alcantara trim for the A-pillars and roof lining, available in a choice of three colours.
The standardly supplied exclusive extra features in the CLK 55 AMG Cabriolet are compared here with the CLK 500 Cabriolet (excerpt):
- AMG bodystyling
- AMG 18-inch light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design
- AMG sports suspension
- High-performance brakes with perforated disk brakes at the front
- Exhaust system with chrome-plated twin tailpipe
- Aluminium trim elements with polished decorative chromium strips
- Five speed automatic transmission with AMG SPEEDSHIFT
- Steering wheel paddle shift with manual mode
- Ergonomic sports steering wheel with integral shift button
- AMG sports seats with unique fabric design
- AMG-design door sills
- Instrument cluster with speedometer graduated to 320 km/h
- Single-tone leather nappa leather upholstery or two-tone nappa/nubuck combination
- Electrically adjustable multi-contour seats
- Speed-sensitive parameter steering
- Sidebags in rear
- Heated front seats
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