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 2003, 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.

Modèle	Millésimes	Châssis	Moteur	Total
CLK 200	1997–1999	208.335	111.945	45,890
CLK 200	2000	208.335	111.945	inclus ci-dessus
CLK 200 Kompressor	1997–1999	208.345	111.944	15,985
CLK 200 Kompressor	2000	208.345	111.944	inclus ci-dessus
CLK 200 Kompressor	2001–2002	208.344	111.956	24,639
CLK 230 Kompressor	1997–1999	208.347	111.975	37,479
CLK 230 Kompressor	2000	208.347	111.975	inclus ci-dessus
CLK 230 Kompressor	2001–2002	208.348	111.982	14,555
CLK 320	2000–2002	208.365	112.940	inclus ci-dessus
CLK 430	2000–2002	208.370	113.943	inclus ci-dessus
CLK 55 AMG	2000–2002	208.374	113.984	3,381

* Le chiffre de production publié couvre toutes les séries de ce modèle ; la source ne le détaille pas davantage.

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

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 hp à 5,750 tr/min
400 N·m
295 lb·ft à 3,000 tr/min
113.984 5.4 L · 5,439 cc
347 PS
255 kW · 342 hp à 5,500 tr/min
510 N·m
376 lb·ft à 2,000 tr/min

M111

Inline-4

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

M112

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