ALTHOUGH its four-eyed face bears more than a passing resemblance to the E-class, the CLK is actually based on the underpinnings of the superseded C-class. It shares its wheelbase with the C-class but is 80mm longer overall, giving it a more rakish profile. The longer doors and steeply raked windscreen also contribute to its sporting appearance. The "four-eyed" E-class was launched in 1995 and was not universally liked at the time, but it has become more accepted since.