Mercedes-Benz CLK550

Mercedes-Benz continued to expand its line of luxury coupes and cabriolets with the introduction of the 2007 CLK550. Although it was a new vehicle  with an updated design and more power engine, it was essentially a replacement for the previous year's CLK500. And like the other CLKs, it was based on the same chassis as the C-Class sedans, and slotted under the high-end CL luxury coupes in Mercedes' lineup.

The CLK550's standard transmission was a seven-speed automatic, which was the same transmission available in some of the automaker's more expensive luxury vehicles. The transmission was equipped with a driver-adaptive system that automatically adjusted shift points based on a driver's style. In addition, the transmission had a Touch Shift feature that allowed the driver to upshift or downshift manually by nudging the shift lever left or right.

Design-wise, the CLK550 was distinguished by a black grille with three chrome ribs, as well as a unique front air dam, front fog lamps, side skirts, rear apron, rear spoiler, and polished-chrome exhaust finishers, all designed by AMG, the in-house performance tuner for Mercedes.

The CLK550 was available in both coupe and cabriolet (convertible) versions. The cabriolet was equipped with an insulated, triple-layer soft top with a glass heated rear window. By pushing a single button on the console or on the car's SmartKey remote controller, the driver could automatically raise or lower the convertible top as well as all four side windows.

Standard features for the CLK550 included an Electronic Stability Program that monitored steering and braking to keep the car stable and balanced under aggressive driving. All-speed traction control, anti-lock brakes and Brake Assist were also part of the standard package.

Inside, standard features were extensive, and included 10-way power-adjustable front seats with three memory settings, premium leather upholstery, hand-polished wood trim, a leather-trimmed four-spoke steering wheel, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, finger-tip shift panels behind the steering wheel spokes, a digital dual-zone automatic climate control, power windows, electronic cruise control, and a six-speaker AM/FM stereo system with a CD player.