![]() The Daimler-Benz plant in Bremen supplied the basic bodywork parts and shared components for the CLK convertible, whilst the engines, transmission and axles are manufactured in Untertürkheim. Given its years of experience in building convertibles, Daimler-Benz had no hesitation in transferring responsibility for final assembly to Karmann for the first time. This switch opens and closes the roof semi-automatically using the electro-hydraulic drive.Īfter working to good effect with the Wilhelm Karmann company in Osnabrück during the development of the SLK and CLK coupé, Daimler-Benz returned to the firm to seek its participation as a development partner for the CLK convertible. A central rotary handle on the windscreen frame is all that is needed to release or lock the soft-top and the rest of the work is performed by an electro-hydraulic servodrive activated by a pull/push switch next to the gear lever. Despite its complex construction, the soft-top is very simple to operate and still allows for generous trunk space. The newly developed semi-automatic soft-top consists of a solid steel and aluminum frame and a weatherproof fabric top made up of three layers with a specially smooth outer surface. Diagonal struts at front and rear link parts of the body having critical amplitudes of movement in order to improve vibration and torsion resistance and enhance overall rigidity. In addition, extra connecting members were installed as an extension of the side members, cross members were built in under the driver and front passenger seats and a rear panel was welded to the bodywork. These measures included reinforcing the center tunnel, side members, A-pillar assembly and B-pillar stump. In the CLK convertible, engineers have therefore modified certain parts of the body-in-white by using thick or high-strength sheet metal and other materials to improve rigidity. When the roof is taken away, its absence has to be compensated by new structures, making a number of demands on the construction of the car. In non-convertible cars, the roof assembly plays an essential part in the rigidity and strength of the bodywork. The new convertible is based technically and stylistically on the CLK coupé and also comes under the 208 series designation. The soft-top CLK variant is effectively the successor to the 124 series E-Class convertibles, which had gone out of production one year earlier, and has been designed as an uncompromising four-seater. In June 1998, one year after the launch of the CLK coupé, the soft-top variant made its appearance in the showrooms at Mercedes-Benz sales outlets and authorized dealers in Europe and, since the fall of 1998, the new convertible has also been available on the USA and Japanese markets. March 1998 saw the world premiere of the Mercedes-Benz CLK convertible at the Geneva Motor Show, the first official photos and information having been available since December 1997.
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