Yellow 2005 Mercedes CLK55 AMG Pops While on Display in NitroFill SEMA Show Booth

Roland Gotingco’s 2005 CLK55 AMG was already a step above the average Mercedes CLK, however extensive modifications & yellow livery made it pop in the NitroFill 2015 SEMA Booth

The Sarto Racing Rocket Bunny wide body kit, APR Performance carbon fiber wing, front & side splitters, and the competition yellow livery made this car pop at the 2015 SEMA Show

Modifying cars to provide increased performance, or at least the look of increased performance, has been part of popular hot rodding culture for the better part of a century. The golden age of Hot Rodding following the Second World War eventually gave birth to factory muscle cars in the 1960’s. Rising costs of insurance, crude oil and prices at the pump, as well as federal emissions standards nearly killed the muscle car by the mid-1970’s. However, this also gave rise to a new movement in the car modification culture. In the United States, the overall sales trend toward smaller; more fuel efficient, compact cars being imported into the U.S. began to inspire the Tuner Car movement.

Due to the light weight of import cars from Japan or Europe, as well as improvements in technology, these compact cars began to exhibit high performance potential. While the Japanese sport compact import scene owes much of its current status to early Datsun/Nissan, Honda, and Toyota cars, Euro Car tuning can be traced back to early air-cooled Volkswagen Beetles. Similar to the Ford Model-T which inspired many early Hot Rodders, the affordability, widespread availability, and modification potential of Volkswagen Beetles created a path which many European car tuners would follow.

Also similar to the way hot rods gave way to factory muscle cars, the early European compact car scene has evolved toward sporty performance cars designed and factory built from Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Volvo, and even Mercedes-Benz. In a sub culture filled with cars built by Audi, BMW, and VW, Roland Gotingco dares to sway from the norm with his competition yellow 2005 Mercedes Benz CLK55 AMG. AMG models typically have more aggressive looks, higher performance, and better handling, than their regular Mercedes counterparts. AMG models are also usually the most expensive and highest-performing of each Mercedes-Benz class.

Roland Gotingco supplemented the 2005 Mercedes CLK55 AMG 5.4-liter V8 engine’s performance with the superior airflow and superior performance of dual K&N air filters

As an AMG tuned model of Mercedes’ CLK-Class mid-size luxury coupé, Roland enhanced his 2005 CLK55 AMG to be further beyond the average CLK’s performance and styling (Auktane photo)

As an AMG tuned model of Mercedes’ CLK-Class mid-size luxury coupé, Roland’s 2005 CLK55 AMG was already a step above the average CLK both in terms of performance and styling. The 2005 CLK55 AMG was factory equipped with a 5.4 L, 24-valve SOHC V8 engine and a 5-speed automatic transmission. The AMG tuned CLK55 was rated at 60 more horsepower and about 40 lb-ft more torque than the top of the line non-AMG tuned CLK500 of the time. Because the 2005 CLK55 AMG is already powered by a healthy German built V8 engine, Roland decided to stick with basic engine modifications including a pair of K&N drop-in replacement air filters 33-2181.

With factory horsepower being properly supplemented by the superior airflow and superior performance of K&N air filters, Roland moved onto visual modifications that both physically and aesthetically enhance the performance of his 2005 CLK55 AMG Mercedes. The Sarto Racing Rocket Bunny wide body kit installed by DTM Autobody, APR Performance carbon fiber wing, front splitters, as well as side splitters, and the competition yellow livery made sure this car popped while on display in the NitroFill 2015 SEMA Show Booth at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Roland finished off the Euro Tuner look of his 2005 Mercedes CLK55 AMG with a set of custom HRE Performance wheels, Toyo Tires, and bag over coil over suspension for the proper stance (Auktane photo)

A custom Novasuede diamond stitch two-tone interior provides plush seating while a custom roll cage by City Garage provides additional peace of mind inside the 2005 Mercedes CLK55 AMG

Roland finished off that proper Euro Tuner look with a set of custom HRE Performance Classic Series wheels in 19” x 10” in front and 19x12 out back. Stretched onto those HRE wheels are a set of Toyo Tires Proxes ultra high performance tires in a wide and ultra-low profile 245/35/19 and 295/30/19 sizes front to rear. Airlift Autopilot V2 air management air bag suspension over Megan Coil overs provide that tire tucking race car stance with the ability to adjust ride height when needed.

The inside of Roland’s 2005 Mercedes Benz CLK55 AMG wasn’t ignored. Roland not only added amenities but he managed to up the race inspired styling at the same time. A Kenwood Excelon DNX8120 double DIN head unit is at the heart of a full custom Focal Audio System build which incorporates a rear seat delete. In place of the rear seat are two 12” Focal Flax sub woofers, a Powered by Focal PD900.1 amplifier and another Powered by Focal PD600.4 amplifier. A custom Novasuede diamond stitch two-tone interior provides a plush seating surface while a custom roll cage by City Garage provides additional peace of mind.

A complete list of modifications made by Roland Gotingco to his 2005 Mercedes Benz CLK55 AMG is below.

2005 Mercedes Benz CLK55 AMG

Exterior:

Performance:

Interior:

Find a K&N replacement air filter for your CLK55 AMG on the K&N Air Filters for the Mercedes-Benz CLK55 AMG page, or use the K&N Search by Vehicle tool to find K&N performance upgrades for other vehicles. Use the K&N Dealer Search to find an authorized K&N dealer in almost any part of the world.