วันจันทร์ที่ 3 สิงหาคม พ.ศ. 2552

>>Mercedes-Benz O530 Citaro

Mercedes-Benz O530 Citaro

Articulated Citaro G in London

The Mercedes-Benz Citaro (or O530) is the current Mercedes-Benz/EvoBus mainstream bus intended for public transport, introduced in 1997 and replaced the Mercedes-Benz O405/O405N series. Manufactured in Mannheim (Germany), Ligny-en-Barrois (France) and Sámano (Spain), it features a low floor for easy access.

Models

Urban model

The standard urban model is available in a number of versions:

standard 12m twin-axle
10.5m twin-axle (Citaro K)
15m tri-axle (Citaro L)
18m articulated (Citaro G)
20m four-axle articulated (Citaro GL "CapaCity")
12m twin-axle "low entry" (Citaro LE)

Citaro in Bucharest

Suburban/interurban model

A series of suburban/interurban versions is also produced, with all seats fitted on platforms:

12m twin-axle (Citaro Ü)
13m twin-axle (Citaro MÜ)
15m tri-axle (Citaro LÜ)
18m articulated (Citaro GÜ)
12m twin-axle "low entry" (Citaro LE Ü)
13m twin-axle "low entry" (Citaro LE MÜ)

Specifications

Interior (standard urban model)

Operators are able to choose between two different front stylings: the standard design features an angled destination display and is primarily marketed for urban buses, while a version with a one-piece windscreen covering the destination display also is available and is primarily intended for interurban use. However, all models are available with either version.

Other customizations include the number and type of doors as well as the internal layout. Two types of seats are offered as part of the standard range, again with a basic model for urban use and an enhanced version for longer-distance routes, although both also are available on all models.

Aside from the usual diesel engines, the Citaro is also available with a powerful Euro IV natural gas engine (model M 447 hLAG) rated at 185 kW (252 PS) or 240 kW (326 PS) - the latter rating used mainly for interurban and articulated buses or standard-length city buses operating in areas with a hilly topography. These engines are also optionally available with Enhanced Environmentally-friendly Vehicle (EEV) certification, meaning that their emission levels are lower than even the most stringent European Union emissions standards.

In 2005, Mercedes-Benz/EvoBus launched a new version of the Citaro to coincide with the introduction of Euro IV-, Euro V- and EEV-compliant engines. Apart from minor technical alternations, mainly to accommodate the new generation of engines, the external design received a facelift to give the buses a less angular look, with internal panelling altered accordingly. Production of the old model ceased by autumn 2006. The Citaro LE and Citaro LE Ü models, which were introduced at the same time, were never produced to the old design.

Non-standard bodies

As a one-off, German operators üstra of Hanover and LVB of Leipzig took delivery of a batch of Citaros bodied to a special design by James Irvine for the 2000 World Exposition. Leipzig's vehicles were lent to Hanover for the duration of the exhibition, but subsequently returned to normal service in their home city. All other Citaros bodied by Mercedes-Benz were to standard designs, however a number of chassis were bodied by independent manufacturers, most notably Hess of Switzerland. However, the Citaro has more recently only been sold as a complete product.

In 2007 the workshops of the Szeged (Hungary) bus operator SZKT converted a regular Citaro to a trolleybus. As of January 2008 3 such buses are already serving as a trolley and more examples are in preparation in the near future.

Hydrogen fuel cell version

Even though the usual Citaro models are powered by diesel or natural gas, there is also a hydrogen fuel cell-powered version, designated Citaro BZ or O530BZ. About 35 of these buses have been in service in a variety of different world cities in order to test the feasibility of hydrogen fuel cells in different operating circumstances and different conditions, especially weather conditions.

London fires

Main article: London articulated bus controversy

When Transport for London bought articulated Citaros in 2003 and 2004, four buses caught fire, although there were no casualties involved. In fact, one was burnt on its delivery journey, for unexplained reasons. Mercedes-Benz did, however, address the problem, though the buses were withdrawn for some time that saw the brief return of the just-retired Routemasters. Unfortunately, these buses were said to have marred the reputation of articulated buses in the United Kingdom, and some Londoners nicknamed them "Chariots of Fire".

Gallery

Citaro (right hand drive version) in Oxford, United Kingdom	Citaro G (face-lifted Euro4 styling) for Zuidtangent BRT, Netherlands	Citaro L (face-lifted styling) in Ingolstadt, Germany	Citaro Ü in Tübingen, Germany
Citaro LE MÜ for Karlskrona, Sweden	Citaro G CNG in Tübingen, Germany	Citaro BZ (fuel cell-powered)	Irvine-designed Citaro G in Hanover, Germany
Citaro G (face-lifted right hand drive version) in Atsugi, Japan	A rear view of an early Citaro owned by First Manchester, showing the slightly different engine grill on the first Citaros.	A Mercedes-Benz Citaro G articulated bus (face-lifted styling) in Thessaloniki, Greece.

วันอาทิตย์ที่ 2 สิงหาคม พ.ศ. 2552

>>Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Manufacturer	Mercedes-Benz
Parent company	Daimler AG
Production	2004–present
Assembly	Sindelfingen, Germany Santiago Tianguistenco, Mexico
Class	Full-size luxury car
Body style(s)	4-door coupé/fastback
Layout	FR layout
Platform	Mercedes-Benz W219
Engine(s)	3.5 L V6 5.0 L V8 5.5 L V8 6.2 L V8 3.0 L V6 Diesel
Transmission(s)	7-speed automatic
Wheelbase	2855 mm (112.4 in)
Length	4910 mm (193.3 in)
Width	1873 mm (73.7 in)
Height	1389 mm (54.7 in)
Related	Mercedes-Benz E-Class

CLS with AMG-Sportpackage

2005 Mercedes-Benz CLS 500

2007 Mercedes-Benz CLS 550

The Mercedes-Benz CLS is a luxury car series of automobile models assembled by Daimler AG in Sindelfingen, Germany and Mercedes-Benz-Valdez in Santiago Tianguistenco, Mexico. The Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is an executive-size sedan based on the W211 E-Class model. The current iteration of the CLS is internally designated as the C219.

Marketed as a 'four door coupe,' the CLS recalls the fastback saloon designs of Robert Opron in the 1970s. According to a Mercedes-Benz press release, the CLS-class was produced to combine the "strong, emotive charisma" of a coupe with the "comfort and practicality" of a saloon. Save for its four-door design, the CLS's design tends towards a coupe, as its sleek body reduces the rear passenger room to a 2+2 arrangement, and it offers a smaller selection of engines tending towards high powered of the range, compared to contemporary sedans such as the E-Class.

The car was first offered for sale in Europe in autumn 2004.

Background

The CLS marked Mercedes-Benz's return to the executive-size coupe market since the (W124) E-Class Coupe (a two-door sedan) went out of production in 1995. The (W210) E-Class did not spawn a coupe variant, as Mercedes-Benz choose instead to introduce a smaller coupe based on the compact C-Class, the CLK-Class. However, the CLK-Class was built with a lengthened C-Class wheelbase so it could be slotted as a mid-sized vehicle, and it also featured styling cues, engines, and similar pricing to the (W210) E-Class to give the impression that the (W124) E-Class Coupe was directly replaced.

The CLS name also caused some to confuse it as the four-door version of the CL-Class, the full-sized coupe based on the S-Class. Indeed, the styling cues of the next generation C216 CL has been strongly influenced by the CLS.

Priced to slot between the mid-sized E-Class and the full-sized S-Class, it competes in the range which was previously solely occupied by the BMW 6-series. Prior to the launch of the CLS, Mercedes had no direct answer to the executive-sized 6-series which positioned itself between the compact/mid-sized CLK and the full-sized CL. The CLK is slotted between the BMW 3 series coupe/cabriolet and the 6 series coupe/cabriolet, while the CL has no direct competitor. Others maintain, however, that the CLS has no direct competitor.

During its development, Mercedes-Benz executives nicknamed the CLS the "Jag fighter," hoping that it would be the type of vehicle that Jaguar customers would be attracted to. Jaguar, however, has not launched a four-door coupe since production until recently announced as the 2009 Jaguar XF sedan. Due to the popularity of the CLS-Class, other manufacturers are offering similar four-door coupes.

C219

The first generation of the CLS, the Mercedes-Benz C219, is based upon the W211 E-Class, but it is six inches (152 mm) longer.

The CLS-class was first displayed as the Vision CLS concept at the 2003 Frankfurt International Motor Show. The production version CLS 500 made its debut at the 2004 New York International Auto Show. A new AMG model was introduced at the 2004 Paris Motor Show, the CLS 55 AMG. Only 3,000 CLS 55 AMG cars will be built each year.

The CLS was first offered for sale in the United States in January 2005; only the CLS 550 and CLS 63 AMG are sold in the United States. The CLS 550 has a base price of US$65,620, with the CLS 55 starting at US$87,320. CLS63 starts at $92,500 for a base model, and is offered with steering wheel mounted paddles (F1 style), and 19" wheels for the US market.

The CLS 350 and CLS 500 have a 7-speed automatic transmission.

A diesel version, CLS 320 CDI, is available for the European market with a 3 liter V6 producing 224 hp (167kW) and 510 N.m (376 lbf) of torque. For model year 2007 (MY2007), the engine found in the CLS 320 CDI is updated to produce 540N.m, although Peak power remains unchanged

IVM Automotive, a subsidiary of German roof system specialist Edscha, developed the entire vehicle from the Vision concept to the production version. More than 150 IVM engineers were involved, making the CLS the largest vehicle development project in the company's history.

Mercedes-Benz has planned a yearly production of 30,000 units worldwide, of which about 10,000 will be shipped to the U.S. market.

For the model year 2007, Mercedes-Benz has replaced the CLS 55 AMG with the CLS 63 AMG. The CLS 63 uses the newly developed AMG M156 naturally aspirated V8 engine capable of 514 hp (378 kW) and 630 N·m (464 ft·lbf) of torque. This results in a 0-60 mph time of 4.3 and 3.9 seconds for the CLS55 AMG and CLS63 AMG respectively.

Mercedes-Benz CLS 55
AMG

Specifications

In the 2007 model year, the CLS-Class' powertrains include one of the following engines:

CLS 350 - A 3.5 L V6, generating 200 kW (272 hp DIN), and 350 N·m (258 ft·lbf) at 2,400 rpm
CLS 500 (CLS 550 in the US market) - A 5.5 L V8, generating 281 kW (382 hp DIN),
CLS 63 AMG - A 6.2 L V8, generating 378 kW (514 hp DIN), and 630 N·m (465 lb·ft)
CLS 320 CDI - A 3.0 L V6, generating 167 kW (224 hp DIN), and 540 N·m (398 lb·ft) (European market only).
CLS 350 CGI - A 3.5 L V6, generating 215 kW (292 hp DIN), and 365 N·m (269 lb·ft)

Features

Mercedes-Benz has put all of its latest safety features into the CLS-class. In addition to front airbags, there are side-impact airbags in the front seats and side curtain airbags throughout. The car features a "smart" sensor system for the seatbelts and airbags that can detect and react to accident severity. An optional Pre-Safe system predicts an impending collision; when the system is activated, the seatbelts tighten, the front passenger seat adjusts to crash positioning, and the sunroof closes automatically. Mercedes-Benz engineers describe the feature as a human-like reflex system.

2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS (Europe)

The air suspension has three settings. The default setting, "Comfort," is ideal under normal driving conditions, stiffening as the car's speed increases. "Sport 1" and "Sport 2" settings give the car more agility on winding and bumpy roads. The car can also be raised three inches (76 mm) , if needed.

The CLS-class comes with a choice of four interior colors, three types of leather and two kinds of wood. Leather interior comes standard, with Nappa leather upholstery available on designo models. Burl walnut and dark laurel wood interior trim are available in either a high-gloss or silk matte finish. Leather colors include Black, Basalt Gray, Sunset Red and Cashmere. New scratch-resistant exterior paint is three times as durable as past exterior finishes.

There are 33 inches (838 mm) of rear legroom, which is not quite as accommodating as the 35.6 inches (904 mm) available in the E-Class. Elbow room is generous at 57 inches (1448 mm). The trunk can hold 16 cubic feet (453 L) of cargo.

The following features are standard in all models: heated auto-dimming mirrors, outside temperature gauge, rain-sensing wipers and projector-beam headlights. Also standard is a Thermatic automatic climate control system; this system assesses and adjusts interior temperature and humidity levels and filters the air in the cabin. There are dual controls in both the front and rear seats.

Other available features include: self-cleaning bi-xenon HID headlamps (cornering function not active on AMG models), distronic radar-guided cruise control, power sunroof, keyless go, drive authorization system and Parktronic parking sensors. Available electronics include: COMAND control system, GPS navigation and surround sound audio.

The CLS 55 AMG and CLS 63 AMG are modified versions of the CLS produced by Mercedes-AMG. Features exclusive to AMG models include: perforated sport seats, 18 inch (457 mm) light-alloy wheels with wider tires (for the UK), 19 inch five spoke light-alloy wheels (std in N.A., optional for all other markets), large air inlets and quad chromed oval exhaust pipes.

Mercedes Benz Brabus Rocket

German automotive tuner Brabus makes a modified CLS sedan with a modified version of AMG's 6.0L Twin-Turbo V12 engine powering it. The engine displacement is increased to 6.3 litres (producing 720 hp (540 kW))and the suspension, brakes and transmission are optimized. Sold as the Brabus Rocket, it is the fastest four-door car in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records, with a top speed of over 365 km/h (227 mph) and a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of less than 4 seconds.

>>Mercedes-Benz CLR

Mercedes-Benz CLR

Mercedes-Benz CLR

Racing history

In April 1999 Mercedes launched the new Mercedes CLR as successor to the FIA GT championship-winning Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR and later CLK LM which would take part in the upcoming Le Mans 24 Hours. With tens of thousands of miles of testing on smooth race tracks, Mercedes felt that the car was quick enough to win the race, despite the short time spent on wind tunnel testing.

Three cars were entered, numbered 4, 5, and 6, each driven by a German, a French, and an English speaking driver, to allow efficient international marketing. Mercedes' major competitors, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Nissan and Toyota, each entered two, three, or even four cars, making the 1999 Le Mans one of the toughest ever, particularly when additional competing smaller private teams like Panoz were considered. Only Porsche, the winner of the previous year's race, was missing.

However, Mark Webber's #4 car became airborne at the Indianapolis corner during the Thursday night qualifying session. The car was rebuilt from scratch on Friday, modified for more downforce at the front, and entered in the Saturday morning warm-up. This time, Mark Webber only made it to the Mulsanne kink when the car backflipped in spectacular fashion, this time caught in mid-air by photographers. Luckily, neither Webber nor anyone else was injured on either occasion.

Despite the second incident and its echoes of the 1955 Le Mans disaster, Norbert Haug decided to go ahead and enter the other two cars in the afternoon, with additional modifications and instructions to the drivers not to follow others cars closely over humps.

Still after over 4 hours, driven at the time by Peter Dumbreck, the #5 CLR chased a Toyota GT-One and became airborne two turns before Indianapolis, somersaulting and landing over the barriers into the trees, all on world-wide live TV. The crowd in the Le Mans grandstands was terrified, seeing the pictures on large screens without hearing any comment for a long time. No injuries were sustained in this incident. The race continued under yellow flag conditions. The #6 CLR, driven by Bernd Schneider, was immediately retired.

Consequences

The flying Mercedes at Le Mans brought the almost immediate cancellation of the CLR project. Its planned participation in the Norisring event "200 Meilen von Nürnberg" was cancelled, as was participation in the ALMS series. Mercedes blamed the humps at Le Mans, which were lowered later. In similar incidents at Road Atlanta, the Porsche 911 GT1-98 of Yannick Dalmas had backflipped in 1998, and a BMW V12 LMR with Bill Auberlen did so on the same hump in 2000. Yet both these cars raced at Le Mans without incidents. Later on Mercedes claimed that a miscalculation during aerodynamic development had a role in the crashes as air was literally lifting the car off the ground from the underside.

The surviving #6 car was never raced again, and it is not shown at the Mercedes-Benz Museum. At least one CLR was exhibited in 2008 as part of an event for driver Bernd Schneider.

>>Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR

Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR

Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR

Manufacturer	Mercedes-Benz (Mercedes-AMG with HWA)
Production	1998–1999 (Approximately 25 produced)
Assembly	Germany
Class	Homologated grand tourer
Body style(s)	2-door coupe 2-door convertible
Layout	RMR layout
Engine(s)	6.9 L approx. 612 bhp (456 kW) V12
Transmission(s)	6 gears

The Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR was a grand tourer and race car built by Mercedes-AMG, performance and motorsports arm of Mercedes-Benz. Intended for racing in the new FIA GT Championship series in 1997, the CLK GTR was designed primarily as a race car, with the road cars necessary in order to meet homologation standards being secondary in the car's design. Thus the limited production road going cars were considered racing cars for the road.

After competing successfully in 1997, the race car was upgraded in 1998 for the 24 Hours of Le Mans and renamed the CLK LM. Following the construction of the CLK LMs and the CLK GTR road cars, the project would end in 1999 by being replaced by the Mercedes-Benz CLR Le Mans prototype.

Racing car

CLK GTR

A CLK GTR on display in the Mercedes-Benz Museum.

As the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft/ITC had folded in late 1996, with both remaining competitors Opel and Alfa Romeo leaving due to the high costs of their 4WD designs, Mercedes-Benz had no top series to compete in. With the success of the BPR Global GT Series leading to the FIA taking over and turning it into an international series known as the FIA GT Championship, Mercedes-Benz saw an opportunity to go against manufacturers like Porsche and Ferrari.

Following the design that Porsche had laid out with their 911 homologation special, Mercedes-AMG was tasked by Mercedes-Benz with creating an extreme racing car that still maintained some elements of a normal street legal car. AMG's designers created a car which shared some design elements with the Mercedes-Benz CLK, yet had all the standard features of a racing car underneath. A Mercedes-Benz M120 V12 engine would be at the heart of the car, mounted behind the cockpit. The bodywork would be made entirely of carbon fiber, and would feature many aerodynamic design elements and cooling openings in order to survive on the race track.

To test the CLK GTR before the first chassis were built, Mercedes-AMG actually took an unusual measure. Through secrecy, Mercedes-AMG was able to purchase a disused McLaren F1 GTR, the defending BPR GT series champion, from Larbre Compétition. This purchase first allowed Mercedes-AMG to see the kind of lap times that their competitors could run, to serve as a measurement of the CLK GTRs abilities. However, more importantly, Mercedes-AMG set about modifying this F1 GTR by attaching bodywork that was meant to go on the CLK GTRs. This allowed Mercedes-AMG to be able to perfect the aerodynamics of the car before it had even been built.

Upon completion of the first two prototypes a mere 128 days after the initial drawings had been made, the CLK GTRs were entered into the 1997 FIA GT Championship season, debuting at the season-opener at one of Mercedes-Benz's home tracks, the Hockenheimring. Unfortunately the new cars were not able to shine, as brake problems eliminated one car after five laps, and the other finished over 20 laps behind the winning McLaren. However by the next round at Silverstone, the CLK GTR began to show its pace, finishing less than a second behind the winning McLaren. By the fourth round, returning to Germany for the Nürburgring, a third CLK GTR was added to the team. In this race, Mercedes-Benz successfully outperformed the fleet of McLarens, taking first and second places. The team would finish out the season with five more wins, at A1-Ring, Suzuka, Donington, Sebring, and Laguna Seca, allowing them to secure the team championship as well as the drivers championship for Bernd Schneider.

Mercedes-Benz would use the CLK GTR for the first two rounds of the 1998 season before upgrading to the CLK LM. However privateer team Persson Motorsport would campaign two CLK GTRs throughout the entire season, taking a best finish of second at Oschersleben before finishing the year third in the teams championship.

Initially the CLK-GTR's V12 engine produced approximately 600 hp (450 kW) before developments during the 1997 season increased this to 630 hp (470 kW). Persson Motorsport's CLK GTRs remained at this power output as Mercedes-AMG had moved to development of the V8 in the CLK LM.

CLK LM

After conquering the FIA GT Championship, Mercedes-Benz set its sights on competing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1998, which it had not been at since 1991. However, Le Mans presented a different challenge from that offered in FIA GT, in that the race distances were nearly one tenth the distance covered at Le Mans. Therefore Mercedes-AMG set about altering the CLK GTR in order to meet the new demands required at Le Mans.

First and foremost, Mercedes-AMG decided that the M120 V12 would not be up to the task of running for 24 hours. It was decided instead that Mercedes would actually return to an engine they had used in Group C in the late 1980s, the M119 V8. Abandoning the turbochargers that the M119 had used in Group C and enlarging the displacement, Mercedes-AMG felt that the M119 would have better reliability at speeds while still performing the same amount of horsepower as the M120 due to air restrictor regulations.

Satisfied with the engine, Mercedes-AMG also set about altering the bodywork to better cope with the high speeds of Le Mans. The nose was lowered, with the large front brake cooling ducts on the sides of the nose being removed and replaced by a single, large opening in the front of the car. The roof of the car was also lowered and a new engine air intake designed. Various other mechanical tweaks were also performed. This new car would become known as CLK LM, standing for Le Mans.

Debuting at Le Mans, the CLK LMs were immediately quick. The two car team took the pole, ahead of custom built open cockpit Le Mans prototypes. However, Mercedes-AMG's belief that the M119 V8s would be better suited to Le Mans was proven wrong as both cars suffered engine failures within the first few hours of the race, leaving Mercedes-Benz dejected.

Returning to FIA GT, Mercedes-Benz replaced their older CLK GTRs with the new CLK LMs and saw greater success. The two cars easily won every remaining race, including six 1-2 finishes. This handed Mercedes-Benz the teams championship again, while Klaus Ludwig and Ricardo Zonta would share the drivers championship.

For the 1999 season, no competitor attempted to enter the GT1 class in FIA GT except for Mercedes-Benz, forcing the FIA to cancel the class, similar to the DTM/ITC two years early. Mercedes-Benz thus turned to constructing an all-new car to overcome their failure at Le Mans. No longer forced to build a racing car that could also be a road car, Mercedes-AMG set about creating the Mercedes-Benz CLR.

The CLK LM's V8 engine produced approximately 600 hp (450 kW), allowing it to reach speeds up to 330 km/h (205 mph) in testing for the 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans. Mercedes-AMG claimed a virtual top speed of 335 km/h (208 mph).

Road car

Even though the FIA GT1 class was cancelled for 1999, Mercedes was obliged to finally deliver the required 25 road cars they had promised. An initial road car was built in 1997 in order to meet initial FIA requirements, but this car was retained by Mercedes. For the other 25 road cars, each was built by AMG at the Affalterbach factory between winter of 1998 and summer of 1999 and differed only slightly from the race car. All of the 25 CLK GTRs ever built were left hand drive except for one which was specially built for Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei. Driver comfort and refinements were at a minimum in the construction of the road cars as Mercedes-Benz wished to not only offer customers a true race car, but also to attempt to keep the price low. Leather was used in the interior and an air conditioning system was offered. Two small storage lockers were also built underneath each upward swinging door. Traction control was also added for driver safety.

The car retained much of the design of the original CLK GTR instead of the CLK LM, including the V12 and many stylistic elements. One key difference was the rear wing, which used a hoop-style integrated wing in place of the separate racing wing. From the otherwise unrelated standard production Mercedes-Benz CLK, only the instrumentation, front grille and the four headlamps were used.

Ilmor Engineering provided enhancements to the engine, increasing displacement from 5.9 liters to 6.8. This increase in displacement coupled with the removal of a racing air restrictor allowed for 720 bhp (537 kW) and torque to 572 lb·ft (776 N·m). Mercedes-AMG claimed a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 200 mph (322 km/h).

The Guinness Book of World Records recorded the CLK GTR as the most expensive production car ever built at the time, with a price of $1,547,620(USD).

Variants

The third Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster built, on display.

After the completion of the 25 original CLK GTRs, AMG's specialist group H.W.A., who had assisted in the construction of the CLK GTRs, began construction of a roadster version of the CLK GTR. Built either by modifying an existing CLK GTR or by building a new car from spare chassis and parts, these cars were modified with the removal of their roofs as well as a reconstruction of their engine covers. Also the rearwing got replaced by a separate black wing, close to the one on the race CLK-GTR. Further the Roadster can be recognized by its different grill, which had a large Star in it instead of a small version above it. Two rollbars integrating the cockpit headrests were used not only for structural integrity, but also rollover protection. A total of five CLK GTR Roadsters were built by the company.

H.W.A. also constructed a second variant, known as the CLK GTR Super Sport. These cars were similar to CLK GTRs, yet were powered instead by the newer Mercedes-AMG 7.3L V12 which had been in use in the Pagani Zonda and Mercedes-Benz SL73 AMG. The car also gained an additional front splitter for better stability at high speeds. Only five were built being badged as a the SuperSport.

>>Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLK- Class

Manufacturer	Mercedes-Benz
Parent company	Daimler-Benz (1996-98) DaimlerChrysler (1998-2007) Daimler AG (2008-present)
Production	1996–
Assembly	Bremen, Germany Monterrey, Mexico
Class	Sport compact
Body style(s)	2-door coupé 2-door convertible
Layout	FR layout

W208

Production	1996–2002
Platform	Mercedes-Benz W208
Engine(s)	2.0L 136 horsepower (101 kW)I4 2.0L Kompressor 192 horsepower (143 kW)I4 2.3L Kompressor 193 horsepower (144 kW)I4 3.2L 218 horsepower (163 kW) V6 4.3L 275 horsepower (205 kW) V8 5.4L342 hp V8
Transmission(s)	4/5-speed automatic
Wheelbase	105.9 in (2690 mm)
Length	2000-02: 180.3 in (4580 mm) 1998-99: 180.2 in (4577 mm)
Width	67.8 in (1722 mm)
Height	2000-02 Convertible: 54.3 in (1379 mm) 2000-02 Coupe: 54.0 in (1372 mm) 1998-99: 53.0 in (1346 mm)
Related	Mercedes-Benz C-Class

W209

Production	2003–
Platform	Mercedes-Benz W209
Engine(s)	1.8L 184 horsepower (137 kW) I4 2.1L 150 horsepower (110 kW) CDI diesel I4 3.0L 224 horsepower (167 kW) CDI diesel V6 3.0L 231 horsepower (172 kW) V6 3.2L 218 horsepower (163 kW) V6 3.5L 268 horsepower (200 kW) V6 5.0L 302 horsepower (225 kW) V8 5.4L 362 horsepower (270 kW) V8 5.5L 382 horsepower (285 kW) V8 6.2L 475 horsepower (354 kW) V8
Transmission(s)	7-speed automatic 6-speed manual
Wheelbase	106.9 in (2715 mm)
Length	2006-present: 183.2 in (4653 mm) 2003-05: 182.6 in (4638 mm)
Width	68.5 in (1740 mm)
Height	Convertible: 54.4 in (1382 mm) Coupe: 55.4 in (1407 mm) AMG Coupe: 55.7 in (1415 mm)
Related	Mercedes-Benz C-Class Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class

The Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class is a mid-size rear-wheel drive coupé/convertible.

While it is based on the C-Class, its styling cues, engine, and price range are closer to that of the E-class, leading some to believe that the CLK is a coupé version of the E-class.

Major models include the CLK350, CLK500/550, and CLK63 AMG. The CLK63 AMG's 481 bhp (359 kW) V8 engine is the most powerful.

1996–2002 (W208)

Main article: Mercedes-Benz W208

The first-generation CLK was introduced in 1996, 3 years after the 1st generation (W202) C-Class model. The launch of the CLK also marked Mercedes' first foray into the mid-sized coupe market.

Less expensive than the sporty SL-Class convertibles, the first generation CLK cabriolet was the most successful convertible Mercedes-Benz ever offered; 41,520 were sold in the United States from 1999 to 2003, and more than 115,000 were sold throughout the world.

Models offered in the first generation were the CLK200(136 hp), CLK200 Kompressor(163 hp), CLK230 Kompressor(197 hp), CLK320(215 hp), CLK430(275 hp) and the CLK55 AMG(342 hp). All were available in both coupé and convertible form.

The CLK320 coupe was introduced in the 1997 model year, powered by a 3.2 L V6 engine. The CLK320 cabriolet and the 4.3 L V8-powered CLK430 coupe appeared in 1999. A CLK430 cabriolet joined the lineup in 2000. The high-performance CLK55 AMG coupé, which was introduced first in Europe in 2000 and then in the US in 2001, was powered by the "M113" 5.4 L V8 engine. The CLK55 AMG cabriolet became available in 2002, the last year of this body style.

2003–present (W209)

Main article: Mercedes-Benz W209

The CLK coupé was redesigned for 2003, with the cabriolet following in 2004. The current generation of the CLK-Class is 2.4 inches (61 mm) longer, 0.7 inches (18 mm) wider and 1.1 inch (28 mm) higher than its predecessor.

The CLK320 features a 3.2 L, 18-valve single overhead cam (SOHC) V6 engine and a five-speed automatic transmission. The base price is US$46,000 for the coupé and US$53,600 for the cabriolet. The CLK320 was replaced by the CLK350 for 2006.
The CLK350 features a 3.5 L, 24-valve dual overhead cam (DOHC) V6 engine and a seven-speed automatic transmission. The base price is US$45,750 for the coupé and US$53,700 for the cabriolet.
The CLK500 features a 5.0 L, 24-valve SOHC V8 engine and a seven-speed automatic transmission. The base price is US$54,600 for the coupé and US$62,200 for the cabriolet. The CLK500 was replaced by the CLK550 in North America.
The CLK550 features a 5.5L 32-valve V-8 engine and a seven-speed automatic transmission. The base price is US$55,675 for the coupé.
The CLK55 AMG features a 5.4 L, 24-valve SOHC V8 engine and a 5-speed automatic transmission. The base price is US$69,900 for the coupé and US$87,000 for the cabriolet. The CLK55 AMG coupé was dropped in North America after the 2005 model year, though the cabriolet is still offered. The CLK55 was replaced by the CLK63 for 2007.
The CLK63 AMG features a 6.2L V8 with a seven-speed automatic transmission. Available in both Coupé and Cabriolet, the CLK63 boasts 481 hp (354 kW) and 465 ft·lbf (630 newton m) of torque. Compared to its predecessor the CLK63 has 31% more power and 23% more torque. The CLK63 is currently being used as the safety car in Formula One. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds.

In Europe there was also the CLK 200 K (1.8 R4), CLK 220 CDI (2.1 R4 diesel), CLK 240 (2.6 V6), CLK 270 CDI (2.7 R5 diesel), CLK 280 (3.0 V6), CLK 320 CDI (3.0 V6 diesel); (all standard with 6-speed manual transmission, automatic transmission is optional)

2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series

Each model seats four and in the US this includes an all-leather interior with burl walnut trim. For Europe the models are available as "Elegance" or "Avantgarde" versions, basically Luxury or Sport specification where the Elegance uses Burr Walnut trim and polished alloy wheels the Avantgarde uses alloy trim and wider, sportier wheels. The price and specification for European models is otherwise the same. The 4 cyl. cars wear 16" wheels While the CLK320, CLK350 and CLK500 come with 17 inch (432 mm) alloy wheels, the CLK55 AMG sports 18 inch (457 mm) wheels. The cabriolets have a remote-operated automatic soft-top and sensor-controlled roll bars. Since 2000, all US cars come standard with a Tele Aid emergency assistance system, automatic dual-zone air conditioning, 10-way power front seats and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Seven-channel digital surround sound comes standard. A Keyless Go system, navigation system, Parktronic system, and bi-xenon HID headlamps are all available as options. All models come with four side airbags.European cars differ considerably and are usually specced depending on the buyer's needs.

On certain 2003 models there is a radiator leak which can cause thousands of dollars in repairs if not caught early. This problem is known by Mercedes-Benz, whom account around 5% of these vehicles have the problem, although they will not offer any assistance and have not been recalled.

CLK GTR and CLK DTM

The Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR was a V12 mid-engine race car developed for the 1997 FIA GT championships. It shared only lights and other exterior similarities with the normal CLK. Production of the required 25 road cars began in late 1998.

A special version of the CLK is the CLK DTM AMG sports car, which looks similar to the full race car for the German Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters racing series which has to use a normally aspirated 4.0 L V8, limited to less than 500 hp. 100 Coupés and 80 Convertibles were released for sale in Europe, using AMG's supercharged 5.4 L V8, now producing 428 kW (582 PS) and 800 N·m (590 ft·lbf). The front and rear track are widened by 2.9 and 4.2 inches (74 and 110 mm) respectively, and special tires and suspension modifications allow the car to pull 1.35 g (13 m/s²) of lateral acceleration. 0-100 km/h acceleration is just 3.9 seconds, and top speed is 320 km/h (199 mph). In Germany, the car cost 236,060 euro after taxes.

Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM cabriolet

In addition to hard top CLK DTM AMG, 80 convertible versions of CLK DTM were made for 2006 model year, titled Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM AMG Cabriolet. Compared to the coupé version, a speed limiter further reduces its top speed to 300 km/h (likely due to the top not able to withstand higher wind forces safely).

Owners of the CLK DTM Cabriolet includes former McLaren Mercedes Formula One drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and Mika Häkkinen. Häkkinen is currently racing for Mercedes in the DTM championship. Former McLaren Mercedes Formula One driver Kimi Räikkönen owns the hard top version of the CLK DTM.

C-Class or E-Class derivative

The CLK is a mid-sized coupe which is based on a lengthened wheelbase of the compact/entry-level luxury C-Class, so it slots between the C-Class and E-Class in price and size, though Mercedes has positioned it closer to the latter. The CLK's styling also drew very heavily on the front and rear styling cues of the mid-size executive (W210) E-Class model. The W210 E-Class itself was inspired by a 1993 concept car which the CLK eventually looked very similar to.

There was a reason for the similarities with the current E-Class. When Mercedes replaced the E-Class W124 with the W210 in 1995, the coupe version was not replaced. Initially, Mercedes planned introduce a smaller C-Class based coupe to rival the BMW 3-Series coupe/cabriolet. In order to attract customers who previously went for the executive-class E-Class Coupe, Mercedes gave the CLK the latest (W210) E-Class' styling features with the 4 headlights and rectangular tail-lights which extended on to the bootlid. This gave the impression that the CLK was a direct successor to the (W124) E-Class Coupe, which was made cleverer in that the CLK was launched 12-months after the (W210) E-Class - the usual gestation time for a saloon spawned coupe by Mercedes. Even the engine range of the CLK was closer to the E-Class than the C-Class. For example, the AMG version used the 5.5 litre V8 from the E55 AMG rather than the 3.6 litre from the C36 AMG. Unlike the W124 E-Class coupe which was classified as 2-door sedan by the SAE, however, the CLK's passenger volume has been significantly reduced.

The C-Class has also spawned another coupe, the W203 C-Class Sportcoupe, which was spun off into its own line as the CLC-Class in 2008. These follow the W203 and W204 C-Classes in styling cues, and engines, though being more compact and priced lower than the C-Class sedan. The Sportcoupé/CLC was designed to counter the BMW 3-Series Compact liftback, and the succeeding 1 Series. Mercedes, however, has not created a direct competitor with the regular BMW 3 series coupe/cabriolet.

The CLK cabriolet is known in the UK as the Loafer because of its resembelence in profile to an Oxford Brogue.

Though they discontinued the W210 E-Class coupe in 1995, Mercedes eventually returned to the executive-sized coupe with the introduction of the CLS-Class, though it is a four-door coupe that is longer and priced higher than the E-Class. While the CLS is designed to compete with the BMW 6 Series, the compact/mid-sized CLK is slotted between the BMW 3 series coupe/cabriolet and the 6 series coupe/cabriolet.

>>Mercedes-Benz CLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLC-Class

Manufacturer	Mercedes-Benz
Parent company	Daimler AG
Production	2008 - Present
Assembly	Juiz de Fora, Brazil
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sport Coupe
Class	Compact executive car
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Engine(s)	1.8 L I4 2.5 L V6 3.5 L V6 2.2 L I4 Diesel
Wheelbase	2715 mm (106.9 in)
Length	4448 mm (175.1 in)
Width	2078 mm (81.8 in)
Height	1405 mm (55.3 in)

The Mercedes-Benz CLC-Class (codename CL203) is a luxury compact car which has been produced by the Mercedes Car Group division of Daimler AG since 2002, as part of the C-Class, and since 2008 as its own lineup. The car is a three-door liftback.

First Generation

The first generation was based on the W203 C-Class and sold as the C-Class Sportcoupé or Sport Coupe. At the launch of the Sportcoupé, a new family of supercharged four cylinder engines, dubbed M271, also debuted for the entire range C-Class range. All of them used the same 1.8 L engine, with different designations according to horsepower levels, including a version powered by natural gas. The 193 PS (142 kW/190 hp) C 230K was initially available only in the Sportcoupé.

While BMW's 3-Series hatchback was criticized as looking like a full-sized 3-series with the rear chopped off, the Sportcoupé's fastback profile was considered a more stylist off-shoot of the C-Class sedan. While the C230 base model enabled the automaker to reach a lower price point than existing models sold in North America, some suggested that the hatchback configuration (as "liftback" is almost never used in North America) and the "inexpensive Mercedes" moniker would undermine the marque which was traditionally composed of expensive cars. It also lacked standard leather seats and a CD player, amenities typically expected of German luxury imports (especially a Mercedes).

Like the BMW 3-Series hatchback, the Sportcoupé proved unpopular with the younger buyers it was targeted towards, due to high prices compared to the lower entry-level models it was competing against, as well as unfavorable exchange rates. Although removed from the North American lineup in 2005, it continued on sale in other markets. From October 2000 until 2007, a total of 230,000 Sportcoupés were built in the Bremen factory and in Brazil.

Second Generation

The Sportcoupé was eventually spun off into its own separate line called the CLC-Class, but it still based on the W203 platform, with an updated front and tail inspired by the next generation W204 C-Class. Mercedes found that the Sportcoupé was a popular first Mercedes for new customers, 40 per cent of whom reportedly return to buy more expensive models later on.

The CLC is produced in Brazil at the company’s plant in Juiz de Fora, close to the state border with Rio de Janeiro.

The car was presented at the 2008 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin, which took place from the 27th to 31st of January 2008.

Range

The CLC range is the following:

Petrol engines
Version	Engine	Cyl.	Power
CLC 180	1.8 16V K	S4	143 PS (141 hp/105 kW)
CLC 200	1.8 16V K	S4	184 PS (181 hp/135 kW)
CLC 230	2.5 24V	V6	204 PS (201 hp/150 kW)
CLC 350	3.5 24V	V6	272 PS (268 hp/200 kW)