Mercedes CLK63 AMG

	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...

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