A narrow strip of blacktop edges around granite cliffs high above an azure sea on the Mediterranean island of Majorca, where we're pushing the pace and squealing the tires on a muscular new convertible that wears the tri-star medallion of Germany's Mercedes-Benz.
It's a ride on the wild side in a gorgeous Mercedes drop-top rigged with awesome power and paraphernalia for high performance.
Labeled as the CLK55 AMG Cabriolet, the sleek two-door concoction capped by a power-motivated convertible lid amounts to a pumped-up version of mid-size CLK convertibles.
Actually, there are three different trims for American-bound CLK Class convertibles, which have been redesigned and cast on a new chassis with the issues of 2004.
All are derived from slinky CLK Class hardtop coupes off the new versions of 2003, then cut down to airy convertibles by German car crafter Karmann.
We spend a day steering each of the three new convertibles on a circuitous route around Majorca, traversing the jagged Serra de Tramuntana mountains along the rugged western coast and zipping past ancient groves of almonds and olives in the Llanura del Centro valley before heading to the picturesque fishing village of Portocolon on the eastern shore.
All three versions end up parked side by side at the harbor quay in Portocolon, where we scrutinize the sensuous package designs and pick out trim distinctions.
Prime edition is the CLK320 Cabriolet toting a 3.2-liter V6 engine and rolling on seven-spoke alloy wheels measuring 16 inches tall.
Upgrading to a V8 engine leads to the CLK500 Cabriolet with a 5.0-liter V8 and 17-inch thin-spoke alloy wheels.
The CLK55 AMG Cabriolet goes further with its 5.5-liter high performance V8 built by AMG, even bigger wheels plus heavy-duty brakes and shifter paddles set behind steering wheel spokes for hands-on transmission control.
These prime convertibles from an automaker renowned for designing elegant topless cars seat four in luxury.
They also carry tightly tuned mechanical systems to kindle a lively personality skewed toward the sporty side of automotive behavior and provide the Mercedes retinue of sophisticated electronic gear for safety and convenience.
And the new package design looks absolutely stunning in an emotional statement of curvaceous sheetmetal.
A front end reflects bold geometric shapes off the E320 sedan with four articulated oval headlamps separating a chrome grille with the Mercedes emblem pinned prominently in the center spot.
Every angle exaggerates the aerodynamic fluidity of motion: Grille slants back further than on E Class sedans, the hood slopes more seriously and the windshield tilts rearward in the extreme to achieve that windswept suggestion of swift movement.
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