Benz adds CLK 240 cabrio to Aussie range

MERCEDES-BENZ has announced it is about to add the V6 CLK 240 to the Australian cabriolet range.

Priced from $106,600 and available in Elegance or Avantgarde trim, the CLK 240 will be the entry level model for a range that already comprises the CLK 320, CLK 500 and CLK 55 AMG.

Powered by the same 125kW/240Nm three-valves per-cylinder modular engine as the CLK 240 coupe, the drop-top also has fundamentally the same extensive list of standard features.

That includes five-speed automatic transmission, 16-inch alloy wheels, full leather upholstery, wood or aluminium trim, CD audio system, ABS, BAS and ESP and front and side airbags.

But the cabrio obviously differs by offering fully automatic soft-top operation with remote control head/thorax bags in the front seats which replace window curtain bags in the coupe automatically extending roll-over bars, integrated in the read head restraints and, an enhanced draught stop.

The cabrio is also a fair bit more expensive than the coupe, which is priced at $92,600. However, it easily undercuts the $131,500 CLK 320 cabrio.



The CLK 240 cabrio arrives to supplement a range that is experiencing a sales boom, with 735 delivered since launch in May 2003.

The 3.2-litre V6-powered CLK 320 has accounted for 68 per cent of Cabriolet sales, followed by the 5.0-litre V8-powered CLK 500 (26 per cent) and 5.5-litre AMG-powered CLK 55 AMG (six per cent).

According to GoAuto Info Tools, the CLK 240 cabrio will face plenty of competition from the likes of the Saab 9-3 Aero and Audi A4 cabriolet 3.0 – both cheaper and more powerful than the Benz – and the more expensive and more powerful BMW 330Ci.