But now the German carmaker is shuffling up its engine range by upgrading the 2.0 litre Kompressor motor which now delivers 184 bhp and generates a maximum of 250 Nm of torque.Compared to its predecessor the new model has 21 hp and 10Nm in addition to the engine.

The revised 2.0 Kompressor engine will find its way into the C-Class, E-Class and SLK models later on.

But the “new” engine will be available first in the CLK-Class Coupe and Cabriolet range improving top speed to 147 mph  for the Coupe fitted with a manual gearbox, and acceleration from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.8 seconds from previous 9.3 seconds.

The CLK's unique platform borrows from both the C-Class and E-Class.

The Mercedes CLK200K is an entry level model and is powered by a mere four-cylinder 2.0-litre powerplant.It utilises Mercedes much vaunted Twinpulse technology to achieve the dual aims of better performance and lower fuel consumption.Thanks to a specially developed Lanchester balancer shaft, refinement and acoustics are much closer to those of a six-cylinder engine than those of a four.