A covetable convertible
Mercedes-Benz CLK320 Cabriolet just what's needed for stylin' and smilin'

In an earlier era, when political correctness was a naïve neophyte, the new Mercedes-Benz CLK Cabriolet might have been disparagingly dissed as a hairdresser's car. The implications of such a reference were hard enough to decipher then - a car that ruffled your rug so badly you needed to stop off at Fancy Yancy's Salon. But, in a broader sense, it suggested that "very pretty" sat several spots above "very fast" and "handles well" on the design wish list.

Today, though, it would call for brave, but misguided, postulation by anyone trying to pin that put-down on the most elegant new member of the 16 cabriolet and roadster models on offer from Mercedes-Benz.

The 2004 CLK320 Cabriolet we sampled is a serious player and not merely another pretty face. The previous CLK Cabriolet was a nice street cruiser that performed well as a daily commuter, but not as a sports car. That, though, has changed with the CLK's latest makeover.

The original CLK Cabriolet was introduced for the 1998 model year and deemed a success with some 115,000 sold worldwide. The 2004, second generation Cabriolet is based on the CLK Coupe that arrived here a year ago and, in a nutshell, is far more appealing to the eye than its predecessor.

The convertible top, incidentally, is a breeze to lower, deploying in just 20 seconds via a dash button or by using the key fob remote control. When folded, it disappears under a hard cover with twin bulges reminiscent of those seen on post-war Mercedes-Benz race cars.

The new CLK Cabrio is longer and wider on the outside too, opening up more interior space - a bonus in knee and elbow room for those who must ride in the rear seat area. Headroom has also been improved and the trunk now can swallow a useful 390 litres of cargo with the top up. That's an increase of 40 litres over the previous model. Even with the top stowed there's still 276 litres of storage room.

Its wider stance and stretched wheelbase have also helped to improve the new Cabriolet's ride and handling.

The suspension employs a new 3-link design up front, with rack and pinion steering, and a multi-link arrangement at the rear. Ride quality is firm but compliant, absorbing bumps, ripples and broken roadways with authority but with little harshness. The steering has a nice solid feel too, which translates into prompt response from the front wheels on corner entry and excellent high-speed tracking and stability. It's an enjoyable exercise to swing this rear-wheel drive car through a twisting series of back road bends.

Our CLK320 Cabrio came with the base 3.2-litre, V6 powerplant. Its 218 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque, working through a very refined 5-speed automatic transmission, will get you to your destination quite nicely. Mercedes-Benz cites a zero to 100 km/h acceleration time of 8.2 seconds for this combination. It offers excellent driveability and performance for its size and output. But, if that's not enough whoosh to whip up your split-ends, there's a CLK500 with a heavy-breathing 5.0-litre V8 to fan your follicles. It has an impressive 306 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque available if needed.

Interior appointments are basically borrowed from the CLK Coupe and look appropriately sporty with a classic 3-dial gauge layout presented for the driver's edification. The instrument faces themselves are white-faced, legible and surrounded by elegantly slim bezels.

Stereo and climate controls, nicely placed on the centre stack, were easily sussed out and operated. The CLK320's traditional wood trim also proved a nice visual counterpoint to the stark functionality of the black leather upholstery.

The individually formed front seats are firmly supportive for most driving conditions, though they could do with a bit more side bolstering, and the seat cushions felt too flat for ideal thigh support. Still, they're good enough to cope with a long drive and leave no aches and pains at its conclusion. The rear seats offer nearly 50 mm (two inches) more legroom, which doesn't sound like a lot but makes a huge difference for gangly teens or oversize adults on those longer jaunts.

There's also an impressive list of Mercedes' electronic nannies to keep your hair from standing on end when things get scary. Anti-lock brakes, Electronic Stability Programme and traction control lead that group. But, in the event something nasty occurs, there are sensor-controlled, automatically deployed rollover bars, head and thorax airbags, adaptive front airbags, plus seatbelt tensioners and force limiters to keep your carefully coiffed curls in place.

Otherwise, just switch your mindset to cruise, snuggle down into those comfy seats, enjoy the Cabrio's turbulence-free interior and, on the next mild, sunny day, let the breezes try to do an Art Garfunkel on your rug as you drive by Fancy Yancy's with a dismissive wave. Sweet!

Immediate competition:
Audi A4 3.0 V6, BMW 330Ci, Saab 9-3 Convertible, Volvo C70