The brakes are AMG's own, deploying huge 14-inch composite rotors at the front and, like the engine, the whole system never feels overstressed. Hitting the anchors from 147 mph is as drama-free as from plain old 47 mph. Setting the transmission to manual mode speeds up shift times and sends a signal to the traction control systems to relax a little, but the tail breaks away so progressively-and it also has a limited-slip diff-that it's easy to catch. It can make anyone feel like a great driver. Short of an SLR, it's probably the most involving Mercedes there is.
The signs are there right from opening the door for the first time. There are no back seats. The front seats are heavily bolstered, clasping their occupants tightly. The leather-covered steering wheel is sculpted so hands fall naturally into the quarter-to-three position and fingers come to rest on the paddle shifters. The dash is elegant, materials (obviously) are high-quality. And just to make the track a little more tempting, it has a lap timer.
The exterior wears its fender flares and various aerodynamic appendages well. It also sports details in carbon fiber, including a trunk lid spoiler-deliberately left unpainted, so everyone can tell what it is. This is possibly questionable from an aesthetic standpoint and could swing a lot of buyers' color choices to black.
The CLK63 Black Series (which also comes in white, red and silver) will be available by the time you read this, at a cost of around $136,000. For this kind of money, there's a tempting array of choices. But the AMG buyer has probably been there, bought that and got the baseball cap. The fact that only 350 will make it over to the US adds a little more exclusivity. Either way, it's a fabulous machine. No exaggeration.
2008 AMG CLK63 Black Series
*Layout
Longitudinal front engine, rear-wheel drive
*Engine
6.2-liter V8, dohc, 32-valve
*Transmission
Seven-speed automatic
*Suspension
MacPherson strut w/adjustable coil springs (f), multi-link w/adjustable coil springs (r)
*Brakes
Vented and perforated composite rotors (f), vented and perforated steel rotors (r)
*Wheels and tires
9x18 (f), 9.5x18 (r)Pirelli P Zero, 265/30 (f), 285/30 (r)
*Dimensions
Length x width x height (in.): 183.3 x 72.2 x 53.7
Wheelbase: 107 in.
Curb Weight: 3880 lb
*Performance
Peak Power: 500 hp @ 6800 rpm
Peak Torque: 464 lb-ft @ 5250 rpm
0-62 mph: 4.3 sec
Top Speed: 186 mph
(electronically limited)
*Why we love it:
High level of driver involvement
*Why we don't:
This is Porsche 911 Turbo money
The Price Tag: $136,000 (est.)