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Mercedes CLK63 AMG

The Mercedes CLK63 AMG is fast, but poor traction control can slow it down on corners

MERCEDES CLK63 AMG

Text AUTO 192279 to 88833 to download the Mercedes CLK 63 engine ringtone to your mobile. Terms & Conditions below.

14th September 2006

Drifting is the latest motorsport craze sweeping in from Japan. But Mercedes hasn’t wasted any time leaping on the bandwagon – as our photograph (above) shows, the CLK63 AMG is a perfect powerslide tool.

 
Equipped with a mighty 6.2-litre V8, the German coupé is one of the most powerful cars in our line-up
Equipped with a mighty 6.2-litre V8, the German coupé is one of the most powerful cars in our line-up, developing 481bhp and 630Nm of torque. Naturally, trying to feed it all through the rear wheels is a challenge – and one the chassis isn’t up to dealing with.

As a result, the traction control light flickers almost constantly. Wet roads, bumpy tarmac, a prod of the accelerator – all cause the engine management system to cut power or apply the brakes. Turn it off at the track, and the tyres soon lose grip, no matter how smoothly you try to feed the power in when exiting slow corners.

As we reported with the convertible version (Issue 925), the CLK is a one-trick pony. AMG has developed a sublime engine – one that’s capable of sending the 1,755kg Mercedes from 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds – but not enough magic has been sprinkled on the chassis.

So, for all its ability to mimic the Starship Enter-prise in a straight line, rivals quickly caught up in corners – the Mazda 6 was faster around Croft, and the MINI GP less than half-a-second slower. Put simply, once you’ve got used to the thrust, there’s precious little to keep you entertained. Except, that is, for marvelling at your tyre bills...

Text AUTO 192279 to 88833 to download the Mercedes CLK 63 engine ringtone to your mobile.

(Service costs 150p per ringtone. Normal operator charges apply. Users must have a GPRS-enabled and compatible handset and be over 16. Support email mobile@dennis.co.uk.)

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  • Mercedes CLK63 AMG Video 4.5MB

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    MERCEDES CLK63 AMG
    MERCEDES CLK63 AMG
    MERCEDES CLK63 AMG

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    Specifications

    On-the-road price: £65,215
    Engine/capacity: V8/6,208cc
    Peak power: 481/6,800 bhp/rpm
    Peak torque: 630/5,000 Nm/rpm
    Kerbweight: 1,755kg
    0-60 claimed/actual: 4.7/4.3secs
    30-70mph/top speed: 3.3secs/155mph
    60-0mph: 34.2 metres
    Noise idle/full revs: 48/76dB
    Lap time/ranking: 1min 45.3secs/12th

    Road rating: 4/5
    Track rating: 3/5
    Feelgood factor: 3/5
    Value rating: 3/5
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