2005 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK-CLASS NEW CAR BUYER'S GUIDE

What's New for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK55 AMG?
The 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK55 receives a redesigned interior this year, with a new upper control panel, audio upgrades and slick gearshift selectors. Diamond Silver and Mars Red join the roster of color choices this year. Go easy on that throttle, Turbo, because you don't get free scheduled maintenance anymore -- Mercedes has discontinued this owner perk for 2005.

Advantages of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK55 AMG:

• Strong acceleration from the 362-hp V8
• Impressive handling and braking
• Roomy interior for its class

Objections to the 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK55 AMG:

• More expensive yet less appealing than the BMW M3
• Poor bang-for-the-buck value equation
• No manual transmission option
• Funky control layout and fussy control operation

Editor's Advice:
Performance-tuned versions of German luxury cars are all the rage these days. Audi has the S, BMW has the M, and Mercedes-Benz boasts the AMG. The 2005 Mercedes CLK55 AMG beats the competition in terms of sheer brawn, pumping out 362 horsepower and 369 lb.-ft. of torque from its muscular 5.5-liter V8, compared to the 340 ponies from the Audi and the 333 horses from the Bimmer. While that's good for a zero-to-60 acceleration time of 5.4 seconds for the Mercedes, the Benz is a bit slower than the competition. Considering that the Audi and BMW cost as much as $20,000 less than the 2005 CLK55 AMG, we think that you've really got to want a hot-rodded Mercedes to pony up the cash for this one.