THE CLK 430's 4.3-litre V8 engine was first seen here in the E430 in January, 1998. Featuring three-valves per-cylinder, it pumps out 205kW at 5750rpm and 400Nm from 3000 to 4400rpm. Given that the CLK tips the scales at a none-too-heavy 1555kg, performance is rapid enough to label it a genuine sporting coupe. Mercedes-Benz says the car can accelerate from standstill to 100km/h in 6.4 seconds and has an electronically-governed top speed of 250km/h.