Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class Coupé (C208) · CLK Coupé

C208

The original CLK — compact luxury coupé.

Production: 1997–2002
Built: 233,367
Body: Coupé
Chassis: C208

Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class Coupé (C208) (C208)

Mercedes-Benz needed a coupé that felt younger than the E-Class and less exotic than the SL — the C208 CLK answered with compact proportions, a soft-edged body, and a name that would define the brand's mid-size two-door line for more than a decade.

Launched in 1997, the first-generation CLK Coupé shared its platform with the W202 C-Class but wore entirely distinct styling — rounded flanks, oval headlamps, and a pillarless glasshouse on later variants. Engines ranged from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder through six-cylinder and V8 options, with the CLK 55 AMG establishing AMG credibility in the segment. The C208 paired with the A208 cabriolet to create Mercedes-Benz's first modern CLK generation.

Production ran from 1997 to 2002, establishing the CLK as a core Mercedes-Benz nameplate and setting the design and packaging template that the C209 would refine and extend.

C208 interior — Cabin details of the C208, as preserved in period photography.

Every model.

11 model designations across 1997–2002 — engines, chassis codes and production figures for the C208.

Malli	Mallivuodet	Valmistettu	Alusta	Moottori	Yhteensä
CLK 200	1997–1999	04.1997–08.1999	208.335	111.945	45,890
CLK 200	1999–2000	08.1999–06.2000	208.335	111.945	sisältyy yllä olevaan
CLK 200 Kompressor	1997–1999	03.1997–08.1999	208.345	111.944	15,985
CLK 200 Kompressor	1999–2000	08.1999–06.2000	208.345	111.944	sisältyy yllä olevaan
CLK 200 Kompressor	2000–2002	05.2000–05.2002	208.344	111.956	24,639
CLK 230 Kompressor	1997–1999	04.1997–08.1999	208.347	111.975	37,479
CLK 230 Kompressor	1999–2000	08.1999–06.2000	208.347	111.975	sisältyy yllä olevaan
CLK 230 Kompressor	2000–2002	05.2000–05.2002	208.348	111.982	14,555
CLK 320	1998–1999	05.1997–08.1999	208.365	112.940	68,778
CLK 320	2000–2002	08.1999–05.2002	208.365	112.940	sisältyy yllä olevaan
CLK 430	1999	06.1998–08.1999	208.370	113.943	22,660
CLK 430	2000–2002	08.1999–05.2002	208.370	113.943	sisältyy yllä olevaan
CLK 55 AMG	2001–2002	10.1999–05.2002	208.374	113.984	3,381

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

Studio profile of the C208 — the proportions that defined this chassis.

Year by year.

V8 and AMG arrivals, then an 800-component facelift — the changes that date a first-generation CLK coupé.

1998
- The CLK 320 launched the C208 in the US, combining the CLK body with C-Class-derived structure and the 3.2-litre M112 V6.
1999
- The CLK 430 added the 275-hp M113 V8, larger brakes and V8-specific wheels and trim.
2000
- An 800-component facelift brought reshaped bumpers and side skirts, mirror-mounted turn signals, revised tail lamps, a multifunction steering wheel and a new instrument display.
- ESP became standard and the previous Sport trim line was replaced by Avantgarde; body-colour door handles and seven-spoke wheels are useful facelift dating cues.
2001
- The CLK 55 AMG reached the US with the 342-hp 5.4-litre M113 V8, AMG suspension, brakes, bodywork and staggered wheels.
2002
- Final model year for the C208 coupé; production ended in May before the C209 replacement.

C208 rear three-quarter view — Rear three-quarter view of the C208.

Engines.

The M111, M112 and M113 as fitted to the C208.

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