In terms of its firm comfort, luxury features, no-nonsense instrumentation, and excellent control layout, the CLK interior is like other Mercedes-Benz automobiles. But it's not traditional Mercedes in terms of decor: there's more warmth in the interior color scheme. Mercedes is emerging from its long tradition of funereal hues and dark wood trim into something more contemporary.
From the driver's point of view, we found the new coupe's sightlines to be very good, including the rear quarters. In addition to their elegant appearance, the slim rear roof pillars minimize the blind spots so common in sport coupes.
This is a technologically advanced automobile that also happens to be a treat to drive--sports car responses, including the most precise steering we've ever experienced in a Mercedes, European luxury sedan ride quality, and plenty of power.
Hard core enthusiasts will probably bemoan the absence of a manual transmission, something that's offered on Volvo's new C70 coupe, one of the CLK's few direct competitors. We've already registered our small reservations concerning the computer decisions of the Mercedes 5-speed automatic, and trying to operate the shifter manually just isn't much fun, thanks to the multiple doglegs in the shift gate.
That reservation aside, there's lots to like here, including the price tag, which is about half of what you would have to pay for the least expensive of previous Mercedes coupes.
And obviously, it's a treat to look at.