Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class Cabriolet (A208) · CLK Cabriolet

A208

The first CLK with a folding soft top.

Production: 1998–2003
Built: 115,161
Body: Cabriolet
Chassis: A208

Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class Cabriolet (A208) (A208)

The CLK name arrived with sunshine — the A208 opened Mercedes-Benz's new compact-coupé line to the sky, packaging CLK elegance and a power-operated soft top into a body sized between the old W124 cabriolet and the SL roadsters.

Debuted in 1998 alongside the C208 coupé, the A208 CLK Cabriolet shared the W208 platform's multi-link rear axle and a range of straight-six and V8 engines, including AMG variants that gave the line genuine performance credibility. The automated hood folded beneath a padded cover; with the hard tonneau in place, the car read as a sleek coupé rather than a compromised conversion.

Mercedes-Benz produced the A208 from 1998 to 2003 and built 115,161 examples — making it one of the highest-volume premium cabriolets of its generation and the template for the CLK convertible line that would continue on the A209 chassis.

A208 interior — Cabin details of the A208, as preserved in period photography.

Every model.

11 model designations across 1998–2003 — engines, chassis codes and production figures for the A208.

Malli	Mallivuodet	Valmistettu	Alusta	Moottori	Yhteensä
CLK 200	1998–1999	05.1998–08.1999	208.435	111.945	9,077
CLK 200	1999–2000	08.1999–06.2000	208.435	111.945	sisältyy yllä olevaan
CLK 200 Kompressor	1998–1999	05.1998–08.1999	208.445	111.944	2,654
CLK 200 Kompressor	1999–2000	08.1999–06.2000	208.445	111.944	sisältyy yllä olevaan
CLK 200 Kompressor	2000–2003	05.2000–03.2003	208.444	111.956	12,906
CLK 230 Kompressor	1998–1999	05.1998–08.1999	208.447	111.975	13,527
CLK 230 Kompressor	1999–2000	08.1999–06.2000	208.447	111.975	sisältyy yllä olevaan
CLK 230 Kompressor	2000–2003	05.2000–03.2003	208.448	111.982	10,317
CLK 320	1999	05.1998–08.1999	208.465	112.940	44,781
CLK 320	2000–2003	08.1999–03.2003	208.465	112.940	sisältyy yllä olevaan
CLK 430	2000–2003	07.1999–03.2003	208.470	113.943	20,467
CLK 55 AMG	1999–2001	10.1999–05.2001	208.470	113.984	sisältyy yllä olevaan
CLK 55 AMG	2002–2003	05.2001–06.2002	208.474	113.984	sisältyy yllä olevaan

* Julkaistu tuotantoluku kattaa kyseisen mallin kaikki sarjat; lähde ei erittele sitä tarkemmin.

Studio profile of the A208 — the proportions that defined this chassis.

Year by year.

From the first CLK 320 Cabriolet to V8, facelift and AMG cars — the changes that date an A208.

1999
- The CLK 320 Cabriolet reached the US with a power-operated insulated soft top, reinforced A-pillars and automatic rear rollover bars.
2000
- The CLK 430 added the 275-hp M113 V8 as the whole A208 range received the 800-component CLK facelift.
- Facelift cues include reshaped bumpers and skirts, mirror-mounted indicators, revised tail lamps, a multifunction steering wheel and a new instrument display; ESP became standard.
2002
- The CLK 55 AMG became the US flagship with a 342-hp 5.4-litre M113, AMG suspension, brakes, bodywork and staggered wheels.
2003
- Final model year for the A208; production ended in March after 115,161 first-generation CLK Cabriolets.

A208 rear three-quarter view — Rear three-quarter view of the A208.

Engines.

The M111, M112 and M113 as fitted to the A208.

M113

113.943 4.3 L · 4,266 cc
279 PS
205 kW · 275 hv / 5,750 r/min
400 N·m
295 lb·ft / 3,000 r/min
113.984 5.4 L · 5,439 cc
347 PS
255 kW · 342 hv / 5,500 r/min
510 N·m
376 lb·ft / 2,000 r/min

M111

Inline-4

111.944 2.0 L · 1,998 cc
192 PS
141 kW · 189 hv / 5,300 r/min
270 N·m
199 lb·ft / 2,500 r/min
111.945 2.0 L · 1,998 cc
136 PS
100 kW · 134 hv / 5,500 r/min
190 N·m
140 lb·ft / 3,700 r/min
111.956 2.0 L · 1,998 cc
163 PS
120 kW · 161 hv / 5,300 r/min
230 N·m
170 lb·ft / 2,500 r/min
111.975 2.3 L · 2,295 cc
193 PS
142 kW · 190 hv / 5,300 r/min
280 N·m
207 lb·ft / 2,500 r/min
111.982 2.3 L · 2,295 cc
197 PS
145 kW · 194 hv / 5,500 r/min
280 N·m
207 lb·ft / 2,500 r/min

M112

112.940 3.2 L · 3,199 cc
218 PS
160 kW · 215 hv / 5,700 r/min
310 N·m
229 lb·ft / 3,000 r/min