Mercedes-Benz has released official images of the 2007 CLK DTM AMG Cabriolet, which it first previewed in September 2005. The car accelerates to 62 mph from a standstill in just 4.0 seconds. It uses a 582 hp powerful AMG 5.4-litre V8 compressor engine and has significant weight savings throughout. Its top speed is limited to 187 mph, but its speedometer suggests 225 mph could be possible with the right computer modifications. Production is limited to 100 cars, the price is 277,820 euros, and the first units were delivered just weeks ago. One of the first owners is F1-turned-DTM race driver Mika Häkkinen. “The CLK DTM AMG Cabriolet is exactly the right car for quick trips around my home town Monte Carlo [Monaco], or along the winding roads in the surrounding Maritime Alps,” he said.

With the 2007 CLK 63 AMG now pushing 481 horsepower — 119 horsepower more than the CLK 55 it replaced — Mercedes knew it had to do something to bridge the gap between the AMG model and the CLK 500. Today, the automaker unveiled the 2007 CLK 500, with a new V8 engine developing 388 horsepower, compared to 302 horsepower for the 2006 model. What's more, torque is increased to 530Nm — up from 460Nm. The increased output means zero to 62 mph takes just 5.2 seconds, rather than the previous 5.9. Fuel consumption is identical to the 2006 model. Mercedes has also made its 7G-TRONIC seven-speed transmission available on the 2007 CLK 350 and 500. The new AMG styling package includes includes leather multicontour seats, metallic paintwork, an AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel with shift paddles and aluminium sports pedals. Outside, new front and rear aprons, chrome tailpipes, 18-inch wheels, and perforated front brake rotors give the car a sportier appearance.

Mercedes has finally given the CLK the new 5.5-liter V8 found in cars such as the SL550 and S550. As you would expect, the new designation is CLK550. The engine replaces the 5.0-liter V8 found in the old CLK500. It produces the 382 hp at 6000 rpm and 391 lb-ft of torque between 2,800 and 4,800 rpm, the same as it does in the SL and S-Class.

The car sprints from 0-62 mph in 5.2 seconds, a 0.7 second drop from last year's figure. Top speed is still limited to 155 mph. The seven-speed automatic transmission helps keep fuel economy the same as last year, despite a 26-percent increase in power. There is no word on pricing yet.

Mercedes has also announced the AMG appearance package. Interior changes include leather sport seats, a sport steering wheel with paddle shifters and aluminum sport pedals. On the exterior, the package adds metallic paint, unique 18" alloy wheels, a body kit with different front and rear bumpers, side skirts and a spoiler and of course a chrome AMG exhaust. Sport suspension and ventilated rotors should boost performance as well as looks. The package should cost about $5500.00.

The current CLK is four years old, so it’s not surprising that the highlight here is the new, AMG-developed 6.2-liter V-8 beast that is spreading throughout Mercedes’ lineup of cranked-up AMG cars. It puts out 475 horsepower in the CLK63, making last year’s 362-hp CLK55 AMG seem somewhat tame. The new engine comes alive right off idle, heaving the tach toward the 7200-rpm redline and singing a refined yet seductive engine snarl that is nothing short of stupendous.

The urge to keep the throttle pinned is almost irresistible but will bring up extra-legal speeds in a hurry: 60 mph arrives in 4.2 seconds, 100 in 9.5, the quarter-mile in 12.5 at 116 mph. That’s 0.6 second quicker through the quarter than the last CLK55 coupe we tested [C/D, May 2004], despite the 4113-pound CLK63 weighing 373 more pounds. Those numbers are also within a sneeze of some intense performers, including the Ferrari F430 and BMW M5, and sufficient to humiliate the 2006 M3.

Inside, the CLK63 is fitted with seriously supportive front buckets, with lumbar, thigh, and bolster adjustments, and one of the sportiest steering wheels we’ve seen in a Benz. Even better, it doesn’t have that weighty feel we’ve become accustomed to in Mercedes products. Still, neither the steering nor the brakes respond quite as sharply as we’d like.

Turn off the stability control and the CLK63 is still as friendly as can be, happily neutral and content to slide around at hero-sized drift angles. Skidpad grip is a decent 0.86 g. But the extra-stiff AMG suspension sends noticeable tremors through the steering wheel and chassis, which makes us yearn for the more solid, sportier coupe that won’t be sold here.

The biggest negative is probably the heart-stopping $92,575 base price, some $45,600 above an entry-level CLK350. That’s also $5100 more than big-brother E63, which seems backward.

At that price, it seems Mercedes’ fabulous new engine is destined to stay rare. That’s a shame.

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 2-door convertible

PRICE AS TESTED: $96,655 (base price: $92,575)

ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection
Displacement: 379 cu in, 6208cc
Power (SAE net): 475 bhp @ 6800 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 465 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 7-speed automatic with manumatic shifting

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 106.9 in
Length: 183.1 in
Width: 68.5 in
Height: 54.4 in
Curb weight: 4113 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 4.2 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 9.5 sec
Zero to 150 mph: 22.2 sec
Street start, 5–60 mph: 4.4 sec
Standing Ľ-mile: 12.5 sec @ 116 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 155 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 155 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.86 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city driving: 13 mpg