Performance Review: Mercedes CLK DTM Cabriolet - [2006]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes CLK Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes CLK DTM Cabriolet is the 5 speed / Manual 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 5439cc Supercharged 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 1840 kgs (4056 lbs) this makes the Mercedes CLK DTM Cabriolet in the same weight category as the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes CLK shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mercedes AMG One 1.6 V6 Turbo Hybrid (566 bhp)

In terms of power the 5439cc 24V V8 engine produces 574 bhp (428 kW) @ 6100 rpm similar to the 2022 Mercedes AMG One 1.6 V6 Turbo Hybrid (566 bhp) or the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo (563 bhp).

The Supercharged V8 throws out 590 lb-ft (799.9 Nm) @ 3500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (568 lb-ft) or the 2023 McLaren 750S Spider 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (590 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 Lotus Exige 380 3.5 V6 Roadster Auto (336.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes CLK.

The Mercedes CLK has a Power to weight ratio of 311.9 bhp per ton and 320.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2006 CLK competing with the 2017 Lotus Exige 380 3.5 V6 Roadster Auto (336.6 bhp per ton) or the 2014 Audi R8 LMX 5.2 V10 (336.5 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 320.6 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 2017 Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series 991 II (345.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 2016 Porsche 911 Turbo S 991 II (345.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.0 secs, this made the Mercedes CLK DTM Cabriolet as fast as the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo (3.90 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Sport Classic 3.7 Turbo 992 (3.90 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 Steptronic (3.90 secs) the or the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo (3.90 secs). This Mercedes CLK DTM Cabriolet is also faster than the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (4.00 secs) the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (4.00 secs) the 2021 Audi e-tron GT Quattro (4.00 secs) the and the 2020 Lotus Evora GT410 3.5 V6 Supercharged (4.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the CLK and the 1990 Lotus Carlton 3.6 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes CLK on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.01 secs @ 113.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1990 Lotus Carlton 3.6 Turbo (11.96 secs), the 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX STi PPP (11.96 secs), and the 2006 BMW Z4 3.2 M Roadster 2d (11.97 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2006 version of the Mercedes CLK DTM Cabriolet has a maximum speed of 186mph.

Top Speed of the 2006 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 2006 Mercedes CLK DTM Cabriolet 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:

2006 CLK Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison