2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK500 Cabriolet

The sleek convertible body is custom built for Mercedes-Benz by Karmann, a very experienced coachbuilding firm, in Osnabruck, Germany. Mercedes-Benz describes it as "an attractive combination of straight lines and harmonious 'S' contours." But that's only part of the story. The body lines rise front to rear in what M-B designer Andrew Moyer calls "a gently rising wedge. The wider grille with its horizontal bars and centrally mounted, three-point star, along with its accompanying ovaloid quad headlamps, are reminiscent of those on the SL roadster. Integrated bumpers, front and rear, help the CLK cabrio achieve a very creditable 0.30 Cd. There's a tension line that runs rearward as a side reveal that just kisses the taillights, and is reflected in a gentle crease atop the decklid that, we're assured, is itself an aerodynamic aid.

Dual zone electronic climate control, a Bose premium audio system with eight speakers, and 10-way adjustable power seats are just a few of the standard features.

The CLK is exceptionally quiet and rattle-free for an open-topped car. On twisty back roads around Santa Barbara, we detected only minimal cowl shake over uneven surfaces. A nicely padded, triple-layer top, in your choice of ash, black or dark blue, folds and erects completely automatically in just 20 seconds. That's an improvement over the old model, which required manual latching and unlatching. This operation can also be done remotely, a simple trick that'll dazzle the neighbors. Just press the Unlock button on the remote key as you approach the car, and the top will begin its little dance. The steel tonneau cover rises; the top unlatches automatically, folds neatly and the cover closes. Presto!, as they used to say. With the top down, and the wind panel installed on top of the rear seats, the interior is free of swirling breezes. You can actually talk to your passengers at highway speeds.


There is a total of four slim but supportive headrests, and the rears are faired into the tonneau cover with neat little nacelles. In the unlikely event of a flip, sensors deploy a rollover system that pops up the rear bars. Despite the fact that the windshield's A-pillar is thinner, it's still extremely strong and the combination of A-pillars and rear posts means passengers may be uncomfortably suspended upside-down for a moment, but that certainly beats the alternative. Other safety inclusions are dual stage front and single stage rear side airbags as well as head thorax bags mounted in the front seats. In addition, there are ABS brakes with Brake assist, traction control, ESP stability control, and the BabySmart seat recognition system. Should an airbag or seat tensioner deploy, Mercedes-Benz's Tele Aid system immediately initiates a direct call, over a crash-secure cellular line, to an emergency response center. GPS satellite transponders pinpoint the vehicle's location and, if needed, emergency response can be generated. The responders will even receive a description of the vehicle, including its color.


The cabriolet's four individual bucket seats are extremely form-fitting, with firm but unobtrusive side bolsters, as befits a sporty car. Seat inserts can be ordered in contrasting colors, and the designo (pronounced dee/ZEN/yo, it's the Mercedes-Benz name for its in-house factory design operation) options include a snappy version that features black seats with tan inserts and tan stitching, complemented by a wooden steering wheel.

The latest 5.0-liter V-8 powers out 302 hp, providing plenty of low-end punch whether you shift for yourself with TouchShift or let the adaptive transmission handle it.

The CLK500's improvements aren't limited to its exterior. There's a newly revised MacPherson strut front suspension with split lower links, enhanced multilink rear suspension and bigger brakes. New speed-sensitive, power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering replaces the old car's recirculating ball. Underway, the steering is delightful. There's ample boost for parking, then it all but disappears for great feel and feedback at higher velocities. Tires are staggered, with fat 225/45ZR17s in front and even meatier 245/70s in back. Wheel sizes are 7.5-inch in front, 8.5s in back, alloys, of course. The torque-y V-8 provides plenty of low-end punch; whether you shift for yourself with TouchShift, or let the adaptive transmission handle it. The engine snarls sweetly as it dances up the rev scale under hard acceleration, and the overall package feels taut, crisp and hardly what you'd expect in a typical four-seat cabriolet. Think about it, six-second 0-60 times were the province of very serious sports cars not long ago.