Home Signal to Noise Coupes Convertibles Sedans Miscellanea CLK430 Drivetrain Electronic 5-speed automatic transmission with driver-adaptive control. Touch Shift allows driver to manually downshift and allow upshifts by nudging the shift lever to the left or right from the Drive position. A display in the instrument cluster indicates selected gear range. Gear Gear Ratio Overall Ratio MPH @ RPM First 3.59 10.30 38 @ 6000 RPM Second 2.19 6.29 63 @ 6000 RPM Third 1.41 4.05 97 @ 6000 RPM Fourth 1.00 2.87 130 @ 5670 RPM - electronically limited Fifth 0.83 2.38 130 @ 4700 RPM - electronically limited Reverse: 3.16:1 (R2 - Winter mode: 1.82:1) Final Drive: 2.87:1 A driver-selectable winter mode starts the vehicle in 2nd gear. Winter mode also has a special second Reverse gear. Both are to help improve takeoff on slippery surfaces. Transmission details Traction and Stability Control: Electronic Stability Control (ESP) compares the driver's intended course, via steering and braking inputs, to the vehicle's response, via lateral acceleration, rotation (yaw) and individual wheel speeds. ESP then brakes individual front or rear wheels and/or reduces excess engine power as needed to help correct understeer (plowing) or oversteer (fishtailing). ESP incorporates the functions of Automatic Slip Control (ASR) traction control, which senses drive-wheel slip and individually brakes the slipping wheel or wheels, and/or reduces excess engine power, until control is regained. "Mercedes-Benz" and "AMG" are registered trademarks of Daimler AG.  This website is not affiliated with, sponsored by, nor authorized by Daimler AG, Mercedes-Benz USA, any of their affiliates, nor their subsidiaries. © Marcus B. Fitzhugh 2005 Mercedes-Benz Specifications