We’ve never been a fan of the CLK’s anodyne looks, until we clasped eyes on the handsome Sport model – filling out the arches and fattening the body with the odd spoiler does wonders.
There have been improvements under the bonnet too – the 1.8-litre has been boosted to a heroic 184PS, thanks to a supercharger. We drove it mated to a five-speed auto, which dampens performance, but the CLK’s new engine is always eager and quick to respond, and should return 34mpg.
Handling-wise there’s little to complain about apart from the ‘sports-related’ wooden ride due to unforgiven sports suspension and bigger, 18-inch alloys. Steering feel is also a little unusual with strange weighting and feel.
The CLK remains expensive, especially when compared to the tempting six-cylinder rivals that similar money buys, but all the same the CLK is a capable coupe option.
Verdict: Costly but benefits from new engine/bodykit
