Mercedes-Benz introduced the second generation of the CLK at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show and, a year later, Mercedes-Benz brought the full performance version.
When the German carmaker decided to introduce an AMG version, it didn’t think about small engines. It went big all the way and stuffed a 5.4-liter V8 under the hood. But the car went through further modifications to fit the AMG profile.

The carmaker didn’t want to make the CLK Cabrio as a sports car. It was more of an open-top grand tourer, suitable to cover long distances in short times. Compared to the regular CLK Cabriolet, the AMG version featured a different apron at the front, with an A-shaped lower grille. In the rear, the Mercedes-Benz special department installed a small spoiler on the trunk lid. As proof that AMG didn’t want to go wild all the way, the car featured a twin exhaust, just like a regular 200 Kompressor version.

Inside, the CLK 55 AMG featured a black interior with aluminum accents. The leather upholstery was fitted as standard, and so was the automatic gearbox placed on the center console. On the instrument cluster, the carmaker replaced the black panel from other versions with an aluminum.

Most of the car’s credits went to the engine, carried over from its predecessor, but revamped. It grew with 20 hp, from 347 hp to 367 hp.