Mercedes CLK

The wraps are about to be taken off Mercedes’ new coupé – and here are the pictures to prove it. This is the new CLK – the much-anticipated rival for BMW’s 3-Series Coupé and Audi’s A5.

Spied outside the firm’s Stuttgart base, it uses underpinnings from the all-new C-Class. When it goes on sale in 2009, the coupé will debut a sleeker, chunkier and wider look, to replace the current car’s low-nose, high-tail stance.

The CLK gets narrower headlights than the C-Class, and a jutting bonnet. As it’s bigger than the existing model, the newcomer should have more room, while its high-quality dash will feature Mercedes’ COMAND control system.

Since its launch in 2003, the CLK has been criticised for not being as good to drive as the BMW. But that’s all set to change, as the new car will use the same adaptive damping as the C-Class.

This lets drivers choose between Comfort and Sport settings for the suspension. Add in improved steering and body control, and the CLK should match the 3-Series for involvement.

Power is supplied to the rear wheels through six-speed manual or automatic gearboxes, while engines come from the C-Class line-up. Petrol choices
kick off with an entry-level CLK 180K model, and there will be CLK 200,
220 and 320 CDI diesels, too.

The bulk of the Coupé range will appear in early 2009, with prices starting at around £23,000. A fabric-roofed Convertible follows six months later. Topping the line-up in 2010 will be a new CLK63 AMG, complete with
a storming 474bhp 6.2-litre V8 engine.