Mercedes-Benz introduced the CLK range in 2002 to compete against its most obvious competitor, the BMW 3-Series Coupe, but it offered more on the comfort side until 2003 when the AMG version appeared.
Even though the CLK 55 AMG was the sportiest version of the CLK range, it was not a genuine sports car. It was more of a GT-cruiser with a hefty V-8 under the hood and a five-speed automatic fitted as standard, without an option for a manual gearbox. Nevertheless, it was hard to catch on a quarter-mile run by an M3. But the CLK AMG was more than just a coupe with a powerful engine.

It looked like an athlete dressed casually but still wearing sneakers. Unlike the rest of the CLK range, the 55 AMG sported a unique front bumper with an A-shaped lower grille flanked on the sides by two side-scoops that hosted the fog lights. On the sides, the aerodynamically profiled side-sills and the five-spoke AMG light-alloy-wheels were specific to the athletic model. A lip spoiler on the trunk and the twin-oval exhaust confirmed the car’s specific version.

Even though it was more of a comfortable ride, the CLK 55 AMG featured sport bucket-seats with high bolstering, upholstered as an option with Alcantara and leather. The steering wheel sported two buttons that controlled the automatic Speedshift gearbox, which was an evolution over the 5G-Tronic model installed on the rest of the CLK range.

Under the hood, Mercedes-Benz installed a hand-built 5.4-liter naturally aspirated V-8. The reinforced platform (also used for the W203 C-Class) offered an option for a limited-slip differential.