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"         Coupes are back, Mercedes-Benz claims. Not only does the German automaker now have a full line of them, ranging from the successful, small C230 Sports Coupe to the expensive, respected CL, but new competitors keep emerging. Infiniti has introduced its slick G35 coupe, while rumors hint at upcoming coupes from BMW (6 Series), Audi (A4) and Jaguar (X-Type).   Having been quite successful with the first edition of its CLK, Mercedes had a solid reference point for the new edition. It began by making the coupe slightly larger: 2.8 in. longer, 0.7 in. wider and 1.7 in. higher on a 1.0-in.-longer wheelbase in response to customer requests for a bit more interior room.   It makes a difference, with commodious accommodations for two or enough room for four 6-footers to ride in comfort for a surprising distance, not just a few miles to a restaurant, chin resting on knees. And thanks to what Mercedes calls the Easy-Entry system, it is relatively simple for adults to get into and out of the rear seats.   As with many Mercedes these days, the exterior design of the CLK borrows a bit from here \u2014 the front end theme of the new SL \u2014 and there \u2014 the taillight treatment of the new E-Class \u2014 and winds up with a smooth, sophisticated look. There&amp;#039;s a lovely flow to the coupe&amp;#039;s shape, which takes on a classic long-hood, short-deck appearance from some angles, but a snubbed-nose, compact look from others. In the wind tunnel, the form sets a new standard in its class with a coefficient of drag of 0.28.   The U.S. gets two CLK models. At around $44,000 is the handsome CLK320 with its 3.2-liter, 218-bhp V-6, 16-in. alloy wheels and a claimed 0\u201360-mph performance of around 7.9 seconds. For what might be the best- spent $6000 in the business, you can upgrade to the CLK500 and move up to the 5.0-liter, 306-bhp V-8, 17-in. AMG wheels, the AMG sport package, an aggressive-but-not-pushy appearance and just under 6.0 sec. to 60 mph.   About six months after the August showroom introduction of the CLK320 and CLK500, the AMG55 version with its 5.5-liter, 367-bhp V-8, 18-in. wheels and just 5.1 sec. to 60 will appear at an as-yet undetermined price; it won&amp;#039;t be inexpensive.   All U.S. CLKs come with a 5-speed automatic transmission, MacPherson-strut front suspension, multilink independent rear suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, ABS, Mercedes&amp;#039; Brake Assist system, ESP stability control and different-size tires front and rear.   Standard equipment includes rain-sensor windshield wipers, tilt/telescope steering column, side curtain airbags and side impact bags for the rear-seat passengers, the last an indication of just how much room is back there.   The interior is delightfully open, thanks to the taller, longer, pillarless greenhouse with four windows that lower completely. The shape and flow of the dashboard and center console fit nicely with the exterior forms and have a generally friendlier feeling than we are used to in Mercedes.   Four function buttons are fitted to the steering wheel as standard equipment, and the instrument panel holds three good-sized round gauges \u2014 speedometer, tach and clock \u2014 and vertical readouts for fuel level and coolant temperature. The front seats offer an excellent combination of comfort and support, while the rear seats have form and proper cushioning.   The fact is, you could be perfectly happy driving and living with the CLK320, which has its 229 lb.-ft. of torque at 3000 rpm and is well sprung and damped to allow you to get down a twisty, undulating road with a smile on your face.   But the CLK500 is a bit of a wonder car, offering entertainment, security, satisfaction and, particularly for a coupe, accommodation.   It starts with an exhaust rumble that&amp;#039;s background music for what&amp;#039;s under your foot. Torque peaks at 339 lb.-ft. but that peak is really a mesa, stretching from 2700\u20134250 rpm. With Touch Shift allowing you to quickly tap the gear you want, there&amp;#039;s never a lack of power. Drawing into a corner, the firmer suspension of the CLK500 takes a predictable set, and even rumbly road surfaces can&amp;#039;t seem to upset it.   A sweet piece...better get your name on the CLK list now because folks will be lining up for them. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/first-drives/reviews/a9327/2003-mercedes-benz-clk320-clk500/>