Performance Review: Mercedes CLK 430 4.3 V8 - [2001]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes CLK Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes CLK 430 4.3 V8 is the 5 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2001. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2001 Lamborghini Diablo GTR 6.0L V12 and the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12.This particular Mercedes CLK has a 4266cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The CLK shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the CLK's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1555 kgs (3428 lbs) this makes the Mercedes CLK 430 4.3 V8 in the same weight category as the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes CLK shares the same bhp with the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 4266cc 24V V8 engine produces 275 bhp (205 kW) @ 5750 rpm similar to the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 295 lb-ft (399.9 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mercedes CLK you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2017 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive (201.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes CLK.

The Mercedes CLK has a Power to weight ratio of 176.8 bhp per ton and 189.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2001 CLK competing with the 2017 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive (201.6 bhp per ton) or the 2016 Jaguar F-Pace 3.0 V6 Supercharged (201.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Mercedes CLK generating around 189.7 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1987 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (214.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet 991 (214.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.3 secs, this made the Mercedes CLK 430 4.3 V8 as fast as the 2017 Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo (6.10 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (6.10 secs) the 2017 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.10 secs) the or the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (6.10 secs). This Mercedes CLK 430 4.3 V8 is also faster than the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ-R 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TDi SCR 4Motion (6.20 secs) the and the 2014 Peugeot 208 Gti 1.6 Turbo 30th (6.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the CLK and the 2012 BMW X6 M50d E71

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes CLK on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.72 secs @ 92.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2012 BMW X6 M50d E71 (14.66 secs), the 2013 BMW 3 Series 335i (14.66 secs), and the 2018 BMW X6 M50d 3.0 Turbo (14.66 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2001 version of the Mercedes CLK 430 4.3 V8 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2001 CLK equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2001 Mercedes CLK 430 4.3 V8 then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2001 CLK Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison