Engine 5.5L V8 Transmission 7 Speed Automatic Horsepower @ RPM 382@6000 Fuel Economy Cty/Hwy 15 / 21 Combined Fuel Economy 17, EPA Class Sub-Compact Number of Valves 32 Torque @ RPM 391@2800 (foot-lbs) Fuel Type/System Gas Engine / Sequential Electronic Fuel Injected Turbo (yes/no) Compression 10.7 Displacement 5461 / 333

Vehicle Overview

Since 2004, the CLK-Class coupe has been tweaked, stiffened and beefed up. The car is sold as a convertible (Cabriolet), or as a coupe. The high-performance AMG model is sold only as a Cabriolet. Over the years, the B-pillars have been removed and an automatic soft-top, seven-speed automatic transmission and sensor-controlled roll bars disguised as head restraints have been added. The 2007 model continues that trend with the addition of a more powerful AMG version and a CLK550 model to replace the CLK500.

Exterior of the LUXURY RENTAL

Rear windows in the pillarless coupe retract fully to create an open, airy feeling. Mercedes-Benz's three-pointed star sits at the center of a low, wide grille. Twin ellipses form a single headlight unit on each side of the grille. The CLK63 AMG features a front air dam and side skirts among other exterior tweaks that set it apart from the standard CLK. Elegance is the CLK350's front-end theme, while sportiness takes precedence in the CLK550. Five-spoke wheels on the CLK350 and CLK550 hold 17-inch wheels; 18-inch wheels are optional. A new Sport Appearance Package for the CLK350 includes 17-inch 10-spoke wheels with cross-drilled brake rotors.

Interior of the Exotic Rental

Each model provides space for four occupants on leather-upholstered seats; the rear seat is split and folds. When front occupants close their doors, an arm extends to deliver the seat belt buckle. Vertical LCD bar graphs are used for fuel and coolant-temperature gauges. The CLK350's Sport Appearance Package adds rubber-studded aluminum pedals. Standard equipment includes a Tele Aid emergency assistance system, automatic dual-zone air conditioning with a sun sensor, 10-way power front seats and rain-sensing wipers. A Harman Kardon LOGIC7 system offers seven-channel digital surround sound. Mercedes' Keyless Go system unlocks and starts the car via buttons on the door handles and gearshift knob, respectively. Additional options include bi-xenon headlights, a navigation system and a Parktronic system that detects obstacles to the rear. There's also an electronic truck closer that lets you close the trunk with a button inside the cabin or on the trunk itself.

Under the Hood

A 268-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 goes into the CLK350 coupe and Cabriolet, while a 382-hp, 5.5-liter V-8 powers CLK550 models. The CLK63 AMG Cabriolet holds a 475-hp V-8 that makes 465 pounds-feet of torque. All models use a seven-speed automatic transmission. Touch Shift permits manually selected gear changes.

Safety

CLK-Class models have four side-impact airbags. The front-seat side-impact airbags in Cabriolets provide head and thorax protection. Coupes have full-length side curtain airbags. Antilock brakes and Mercedes' Electronic Stability Program are standard.