Mercedes and diesel are a harmonious duo. Especially such a Mercedes and such a diesel. On the, that the driving of the 224-horsepower coupe would not be disturbed by any surprises, electronics are constantly on watch.

The company from Stuttgart is a pioneer in the use of electronic stability control systems. At first, they were used only in the most expensive models – the first car, in which they were mounted, was the CL luxury coupe. However, everyone heard about ESP thanks to the smallest car of the German company. It was this system that helped to solve the problems of the first generation A-Class with the famous moose test. The difference after its installation was very clear – the car stopped tipping over during sudden changes of direction. Although this was not the fame that the engineers were probably striving for. Anyway, from 1999 r. ESP has become factory equipment of Mercedes.
ESP therefore also watches over the driving stability of the CLK model 320 CDI. And it has what. V6 diesel engine with a displacement 3,01 replaced a 5-cylinder diesel 2.7. The unit was made in accordance with all standards applicable to modern diesel engines. So we have an aluminum hull, four valves per cylinder, 3rd generation common rail injection system with piezo injectors and variable geometry turbocharger. Effect? Maximum power 224 KM and torque 510 Nm. Interestingly, such a high torque value is available only in combined engines with automatic, 7-the 7G-TRONIC gearbox. However, a manual one was installed as standard, 6-gradual. In this case, the engine torque was limited to 415 Nm. Of course, the drive goes to the rear wheels.

Understandably, the version with an automatic machine is more interesting. Acceleration to 100 km / h takes less than 7 s, the maximum speed is 250 km/h. With such performance, no one will probably argue, that diesel does not fit cars with a coupe body. Especially since even the acoustic impressions are quite pleasant, the unit sounds like a large gasoline engine, not a good empyema.

Good performance is one thing, but the character of the car is the latter – this car is unlikely to drive you crazy. His element is fast extra-urban driving and efficient overtaking. But with the "sideways driving" – neither. ESP watches over the vehicle. I must admit, that it does it very effectively. It intervenes frequently when taking bends, but gently. Its work can only be seen through the flashing system light, and not the jerks resulting from sudden deceleration. Reacts more definitely to a quick start attempt. Not even the slightest wheel spin is possible – the motor is throttled in advance. From the outside, it looks like an incompetent handling of the clutch. If we want a vigorous start, it is not worth pressing the gas all the way, but rather feel the moment of the slip yourself – the start will be faster and even.

At the top of the center console, of course, there is a button that says ESP OFF. But in fact, turning off the system only means a slightly later moment for the electronics to take action. And there is no way, to get around it. The smarter ones even tried to take out the appropriate fuses, but Mercedes foresaw it. In such a situation, the car goes into emergency mode. A side effect is the inability to measure the parameters of the drive unit on the chassis dynamometer.

In a sports coupe, such omnipotent control is a bit frustrating. Thanks to the powerful engine, there are no problems with breaking the grip of the rear wheels, So we enter a bend with a slightly escaping rear, versus the steering wheel, the car is still under the control of the driver and… end of fun. The brakes of the wheels selected by the electronics are applied, power is reduced, the car suddenly returns to the track. Of course, it's safer and that's what ESP is all about. Although not always. The driver is used to it, that even when ESP is disconnected, the vehicle will return to its original track, maybe a little overpriced. And the laws of physics are inexorable, when it's too fast, in addition, on uneven grip surfaces (e.g. puddles or snow flakes), ESP won't help. Even the Mercedes can be turned. Only in a completely unintentional way.
Therefore, the only practical application of the ESP OFF button is moving off on slippery ground. But it is not worth venturing into such terrain. Heavy front-engined rear-wheel drive vehicle gets stuck on a completely innocent looking rutted road. CLK 320 Therefore, CDI will not appeal to people who are looking for strong sensations. It is a quiet eater of kilometers, protecting the driver from making mistakes, not provoking difficult maneuvers.