Nothing that AMG does nowadays surprises us. From F1-engined megacars to electric SUVs that accelerate almost as fast, AMG will turn its hand to anything - and usually achieve some degree of success, too. There has been long enough now of Affalterbach pursuing new opportunities and making great cars (think hot hatches and Nurburgring crushing sports cars for just two) that it would take something truly mad to shock anybody now.
There’s a strong case to be made for the CLK63 Black being the car that marked AMG’s sea change. Prior to it, the flagship Benzes were typically very fast, very plush, very powerful Mercedes two- and four-doors; likeable, for sure, though never what anyone would really call rewarding to drive. They were about the engines, the look and the performance rather than the sensation of driving.
Having not quite hit the spot with the first Black Series (the SLK), AMG went all out on making the CLK a proper job. The fact that the engine was only moderately more powerful than the standard ‘63 (507hp versus 481hp) was a sign of its intent; that the rear seats were taken out of an AMG coupe really was something incredible back in 2007. BMW M cars and Porsche GT products might strip out parts, not AMG - but this was the new era.
Additionally the CLK’s tracks were much wider (75mm at the front, 66mm behind), to the benefit of both stability and the stunning wide-arched look. The suspension was almost entirely unique to the Black despite a mere 500-unit production run, because AMG was that serious about making a serious sports car of a coupe more often seen at the golf club. So as well as being upgraded, almost everything was adjustable, including two-way dampers, geometry and spring platform heights. The seats looked straight from a racing car; the brakes were bigger and the exhaust rowdier. Forget Q-car saloons and loping GTs - AMG was dead set on making a track car.
The Black was largely brilliant, too, retaining the big-cube charm that always marked out an AMG product with a welcome dollop of handling nous to go alongside. It was still quite heavy and the gearbox still a bit slow, but it involved and engaged the driver in a way that big Benzes just hadn’t before. The Black was captivating in the best AMG tradition we’ve now come to know and love. It’s notable as well that, having missed the mark with the SLK, the V8 Black Series after this CLK - C63, SLS, GT - have all been absolutely brilliant. This is where AMG found its mojo.
As such, and because they’re so rare - with only 30 UK-allocated cars - the CLK Black is highly collectable. This example is one of the 30, with less than 40,000 miles recorded since its first registration in 2008. It looks in fine fettle, too, those punchy arch extensions unblemished, fabric seats showing precious little wear and the visible carbon still gleaming. The CLK of this era was never really loved for its look, but this Black absolutely nailed it.
There are standard ‘63s with reasonable mileage for sale at less than £20k; this is £109,995. That’s the kind of difference the Black Series made. That sort of asking price of course pitches it against some of the truly great road racers of the early 21st century - pretty much any GT3, the M3 CSL, even the later rear-drive Audi R8s - and for those serious about lapping every weekend then a CLK probably isn’t the car. But as a reminder of how good AMG at its very peak can be, there’s not much better. And future V8 Black Series look pretty uncertain, so the best of the breed is always going to be in demand.
SPECIFICATION | MERCEDES CLK63 AMG BLACK SERIES
Engine: 6,208cc, V8
Transmission: 7-speed auto, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 507@6,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 464@5,250rpm
MPG: 18.5
CO2: 369g/km
First registered: 2008
Recorded mileage: 37,000
Price new: £100,000
Yours for: £109,995
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