Performance Review: Mercedes CLK 500 Cabriolet - [2006]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes CLK Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes CLK 500 Cabriolet is the 7 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2006. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2007 Caparo T1 3.5l V8 and the 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8.This particular Mercedes CLK has a 5461cc 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, Cabriolet 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 1785 kgs (3935 lbs) this makes the Mercedes CLK 500 Cabriolet in the same weight category as the 2023 Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12 Petrol Hybrid or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes CLK shares the same bhp with the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp)

In terms of power the 5461cc 32V V8 engine produces 383 bhp (285 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (360 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 391 lb-ft (530.1 Nm) @ 2800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 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 2011 Lotus Evora S IPS 3.5 V8 (239.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes CLK.

The Mercedes CLK has a Power to weight ratio of 214.5 bhp per ton and 219.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2006 CLK competing with the 2011 Lotus Evora S IPS 3.5 V8 (239.2 bhp per ton) or the 1984 Ferrari Testarossa 5.0L Boxer (239.2 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 219.0 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 2006 Mercedes CLS Class 63 AMG (244.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1985 TVR 390 SE 3.9l V8 (243.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.2 secs, this made the Mercedes CLK 500 Cabriolet as fast as the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (6.00 secs) the 2017 Toyota Century 5.0 V8 (6.00 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT 3.6 V6 AWD (6.00 secs) the or the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 265 DSG (6.00 secs). This Mercedes CLK 500 Cabriolet is also faster than the 2017 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.10 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo (6.10 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (6.10 secs) the and the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTI 2.0 Turbo DSG (6.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the CLK and the 1997 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra 4.6 V8

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes CLK on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.78 secs @ 99.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1997 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra 4.6 V8 (13.72 secs), the 2018 BMW X7 xDrive 50i 4.4 V8 Turbo (13.72 secs), and the 2012 Renault Megane RenaultSport 2.0T 265 Cup (13.73 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2006 version of the Mercedes CLK 500 Cabriolet has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2006 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 2006 Mercedes CLK 500 Cabriolet 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:

2006 CLK Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison