Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class 2005 Review

The CLK-Class in hardtop coupe, right, or soft-top cabriolet now includes Parktronic, a parking assistance system that uses ultrasonic waves to calculate the distance to an obstacle from the car and informs the driver by display and audible signal.

CLK also gets Thermotronic climate control, a sophisticated automatic airconditioning system which can deliver separate distribution of air to each side of the cabin.

Thermotronic detects pollutants such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide, and automatically closes the recirculation flap if those levels are too high.

Pressing a button engages a charcoal filter to absorb pollutants and odours.

The air quantity and air flow can be individually controlled and metered by the front passenger, rear passengers and driver on the CLK coupe.

The CLK cabriolet now gets heated front seats as standard – ideal for chilly but fine winter days in roof-down motoring.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan and estate wagon get the Parktronic system as well as anti-dazzle rear-view mirror as standard equipment.

All C-Class models – sedan, estate and sports hardtop coupe – get the Parktronic and rain-sensing windscreen wipers. Variants starting with the C 200 Kompressor and above also get a leather-clad steering wheel and gearshift lever.

It means Parktronic is now standard on C-Class, E-Class and CLK-Class models.

"The additional standard features for our CLK-Class, E-Class and C-Class models will increase the appeal of these vehicles for customers and provide them with added value," says Horst van Sanden, managing director of Mercedes Car Group for Australia.

SMALL TORQUE

The sun set

THERMOTRONIC climate control in Mercedes-Benz models includes a solar sensor that gathers data on the sun's angle. It determines the seat to which the sun's rays are stronger and can adjust the temperature for this area without making other areas too cool.

Perfect recall

MERCEDES-Benz has been undertaking a worldwide recall. On six and eight-cylinder petrol engines built between June, 2001, and November, 2004, the voltage regulator and alternator are being checked and if necessary replaced. E-Class and CLS-Class cars built between January 2002, and January, 2005, get new battery control software. Braking systems on E-Class, SL-Class and CLS-Class built between June, 2001, and March, 2005, are being updated.