Performance Review: Mercedes CLK 63 AMG Black Series - [2007]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes CLK Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes CLK 63 AMG Black Series is the 7 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2007. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2007 Caparo T1 3.5l V8.This particular Mercedes CLK has a 6208cc 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 1760 kgs (3880 lbs) this makes the Mercedes CLK 63 AMG Black Series in the same weight category as the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T AWD or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes CLK shares the same bhp with the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (500 bhp)

In terms of power the 6208cc 32V V8 engine produces 500 bhp (372 kW) @ 6800 rpm similar to the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (500 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (493 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 465 lb-ft (630.4 Nm) @ 5250 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (470 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (443 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 2009 Porsche 911 Turbo 997 (309.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes CLK.

The Mercedes CLK has a Power to weight ratio of 284.0 bhp per ton and 264.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2007 CLK competing with the 2009 Porsche 911 Turbo 997 (309.0 bhp per ton) or the 1955 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series 1 (309.0 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 264.2 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 2012 Lotus Evora GTE 3.5 V6 (289.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2020 Lotus Exige Cup 430 3.5 V6 (289.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.2 secs, this made the Mercedes CLK 63 AMG Black Series as fast as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (4.10 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 (4.10 secs) the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (4.10 secs) the or the 2022 BMW XM 4.4 V8 Twin Turbo G09 (4.10 secs). This Mercedes CLK 63 AMG Black Series is also faster than the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.20 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo G42 (4.20 secs) the 2020 Maserati Ghibli Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (4.20 secs) the and the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 5.2 V8 (4.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the CLK and the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII GSR

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes CLK on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.55 secs @ 109.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII GSR (12.49 secs), the 1992 Subaru Impreza WRX - Classic JDM (12.49 secs), and the 2001 BMW 3 Series M3 SMG 2d E46 (12.50 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2007 version of the Mercedes CLK 63 AMG Black Series has a maximum speed of 186mph.

Top Speed of the 2007 CLK equals the 2013 Nissan Skyline GT-R Pure Edition R35 (197 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2007 Mercedes CLK 63 AMG Black Series then how about the 2013 Nissan Skyline GT-R Pure Edition R35 (197 mph), the 2012 Nissan Skyline GTR R35 (197 mph), or the 2012 Audi R8 Plus S-Tronic 5.2 V10 (197 mph).

Related Links:

2007 CLK Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison