Mercedes to unveil new CLK Cabriolet at the Geneva Motor Show

Feb 25, 2003 - Although winter in Switzerland tends to be cold, cloudy, and precipitation-prone, Mercedes-Benz will be taking advantage of the Geneva Motor Show to unveil the new CLK Cabriolet on March 5. As is the case with not only the SLK stable mate, but other vehicles that have come onto the scene in the comparatively recent past (from the Lexus SC to the Cadillac XLS), the cabrio is equipped with an automatic retractable top, although in its case the top is fabric, not metal. However, this is a multilayer top, so it provides a level of thermal and sound insulation that traditional rag tops lack. Not only does the roof retract in response to a pushbutton on the polyurethane-skinned IP (which also activates a pop-up roll bar that takes the form of two rear head restraints), but the roof actuation can also effected via the key, so the driver can climb into a convertible even though she left the top up when leaving the car in the parking lot.

Inside, there’s room for four and an array of amenities. For example, the dual-zone electronic climate control system is fitted with a separate blower to keep any rear passengers temperate. Audio is from Bose (an optional 6-disc CD changer is hidden in the glove box). There is safety technology galore. Front occupants are not only protected by dual-stage front airbags (that determine the individual’s weight and adjusts deployment accordingly), but also by head/thorax side airbags. There are rear side airbags for the folks in the back. In the event that there is the deployment of either an airbag or a seat belt tensioner, the vehicle’s TeleAid system calls an emergency center.

Gauges are a combination of analog and digital (LCD bar graphs for the fuel and temperature readings). The steering wheel has rocker buttons on its spokes that allow the adjustment of the radio or checking out a phone number from a phone book in the system. GPS is an option that includes voice-recognition technology.

As is now becoming something of a standard on the low-profiled front ends new Mercs, each headlamp is actually a set of integrated ovals. (With the optional bi-xenon gas-discharge headlights, there’s a shutter mechanism that’s used to switch from low- to high-beam.)

Under the hood, there’s either a 215hp, 3.2 liter V6 (for the CLK320) or a 302hp, 5.0 liter V8 (CLK500). Both are mated with a five-speed adaptive transmission and TouchShift for “manual” gear selection. Those opting for the CLK500 get AMG wheel and design touches, as well as bigger brakes, with their vehicle. Like the CLK coupe that was introduced last year, the cabrio has a staggered wheel setup, so that the rear tires are wider and have a lower profile (on the CLK500: 225/45 ZR17 tires on 17 x 7.5" wheels in the front; 245/40 ZR17 tires on 17 x 8.5" wheels in the rear).

Come spring, it would undoubtedly be a pleasant experience to check out the speed-sensitive Parameter steering system while zooming through the Alps with the top down. But in March...

	Mercedes to unveil new CLK Cabriolet at the Geneva Motor Show by Gary S. Vasilash
	Click for larger image	Feb 25, 2003 - Although winter in Switzerland tends to be cold, cloudy, and precipitation-prone, Mercedes-Benz will be taking advantage of the Geneva Motor Show to unveil the new CLK Cabriolet on March 5. As is the case with not only the SLK stable mate, but other vehicles that have come onto the scene in the comparatively recent past (from the Lexus SC to the Cadillac XLS), the cabrio is equipped with an automatic retractable top, although in its case the top is fabric, not metal. However, this is a multilayer top, so it provides a level of thermal and sound insulation that traditional rag tops lack. Not only does the roof retract in response to a pushbutton on the polyurethane-skinned IP (which also activates a pop-up roll bar that takes the form of two rear head restraints), but the roof actuation can also effected via the key, so the driver can climb into a convertible even though she left the top up when leaving the car in the parking lot. Inside, there’s room for four and an array of amenities. For example, the dual-zone electronic climate control system is fitted with a separate blower to keep any rear passengers temperate. Audio is from Bose (an optional 6-disc CD changer is hidden in the glove box). There is safety technology galore. Front occupants are not only protected by dual-stage front airbags (that determine the individual’s weight and adjusts deployment accordingly), but also by head/thorax side airbags. There are rear side airbags for the folks in the back. In the event that there is the deployment of either an airbag or a seat belt tensioner, the vehicle’s TeleAid system calls an emergency center. Gauges are a combination of analog and digital (LCD bar graphs for the fuel and temperature readings). The steering wheel has rocker buttons on its spokes that allow the adjustment of the radio or checking out a phone number from a phone book in the system. GPS is an option that includes voice-recognition technology. As is now becoming something of a standard on the low-profiled front ends new Mercs, each headlamp is actually a set of integrated ovals. (With the optional bi-xenon gas-discharge headlights, there’s a shutter mechanism that’s used to switch from low- to high-beam.) Under the hood, there’s either a 215hp, 3.2 liter V6 (for the CLK320) or a 302hp, 5.0 liter V8 (CLK500). Both are mated with a five-speed adaptive transmission and TouchShift for “manual” gear selection. Those opting for the CLK500 get AMG wheel and design touches, as well as bigger brakes, with their vehicle. Like the CLK coupe that was introduced last year, the cabrio has a staggered wheel setup, so that the rear tires are wider and have a lower profile (on the CLK500: 225/45 ZR17 tires on 17 x 7.5" wheels in the front; 245/40 ZR17 tires on 17 x 8.5" wheels in the rear). Come spring, it would undoubtedly be a pleasant experience to check out the speed-sensitive Parameter steering system while zooming through the Alps with the top down. But in March...