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.

모델모델 연식생산 대수섀시엔진변속기합계
CLK 2001997–199904.1997–08.1999208.335111.94545,890
CLK 2001999–200008.1999–06.2000208.335111.945위에 포함
CLK 200 Kompressor1997–199903.1997–08.1999208.345111.94415,985
CLK 200 Kompressor1999–200008.1999–06.2000208.345111.944위에 포함
CLK 200 Kompressor2000–200205.2000–05.2002208.344111.95624,639
CLK 230 Kompressor1997–199904.1997–08.1999208.347111.97537,479
CLK 230 Kompressor1999–200008.1999–06.2000208.347111.975위에 포함
CLK 230 Kompressor2000–200205.2000–05.2002208.348111.98214,555
CLK 3201998–199905.1997–08.1999208.365112.94068,778
CLK 3202000–200208.1999–05.2002208.365112.940위에 포함
CLK 430199906.1998–08.1999208.370113.94322,660
CLK 4302000–200208.1999–05.2002208.370113.943위에 포함
CLK 55 AMG2001–200210.1999–05.2002208.374113.9843,381

* 공개된 생산 대수는 해당 모델의 전 시리즈를 포괄하며, 출처에서 더 세분화된 수치는 제공되지 않습니다.

C208 side profile
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.

  1. 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.
  2. 1999
    • The CLK 430 added the 275-hp M113 V8, larger brakes and V8-specific wheels and trim.
  3. 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.
  4. 2001
    • The CLK 55 AMG reached the US with the 342-hp 5.4-litre M113 V8, AMG suspension, brakes, bodywork and staggered wheels.
  5. 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

V8
  • 113.943 4.3 L · 4,266 cc

    279 PS

    205 kW · 275 hp / 5,750 rpm

    400 N·m

    295 lb·ft / 3,000 rpm

  • 113.984 5.4 L · 5,439 cc

    347 PS

    255 kW · 342 hp / 5,500 rpm

    510 N·m

    376 lb·ft / 3,000 rpm

M111

Inline-4
  • 111.944 2.0 L · 1,998 cc

    192 PS

    141 kW · 189 hp / 5,300 rpm

    270 N·m

    199 lb·ft / 2,500 rpm

  • 111.945 2.0 L · 1,998 cc

    136 PS

    100 kW · 134 hp / 5,500 rpm

    190 N·m

    140 lb·ft / 3,700 rpm

  • 111.956 2.0 L · 1,998 cc

    163 PS

    120 kW · 161 hp / 5,300 rpm

    230 N·m

    170 lb·ft / 2,500 rpm

  • 111.975 2.3 L · 2,295 cc

    193 PS

    142 kW · 190 hp / 5,300 rpm

    280 N·m

    207 lb·ft / 2,500 rpm

  • 111.982 2.3 L · 2,295 cc

    197 PS

    145 kW · 194 hp / 5,500 rpm

    280 N·m

    207 lb·ft / 2,500 rpm

M112

V6
  • 112.940 3.2 L · 3,199 cc

    218 PS

    160 kW · 215 hp / 5,700 rpm

    310 N·m

    229 lb·ft / 3,000 rpm