Mercedes-AMG*with HWA)Production1998–1999 (35 produced)2 prototypes7 racing variant coupes20 road variant coupes
6 road variant roadsters AssemblyGermanyBody and chassisClassSports carBody*style2-door*coupe2-door*convertibleLayoutRMR layoutPowertrainEngine6.9 L*V12Transmission6-speed*sequential manualDimensionsCurb*weight1,440*kg (3,175*lb)Even though the FIA GT1 class was cancelled for 1999, Mercedes was obliged to finally deliver the required 25 road cars they had promised. An initial road car was built in 1997 in order to meet initial FIA requirements, but this car was retained by Mercedes. For the other 25 road cars, each was built by*AMG*at the*Affalterbach*factory between winter of 1998 and summer of 1999 and differed only slightly from the race car.
All of the 25 CLK GTRs ever built were left hand drive except for one which was specially built for SultanHassanal Bolkiah*of*Brunei.
Driver comfort and refinements were at a minimum in the construction of the road cars as Mercedes-Benz wished to not only offer customers a true race car, but also to attempt to keep the price low. Leather was used in the interior and an air conditioning system was offered. Two small storage lockers were also built underneath each upward swinging door. Traction control was also added for driver safety.The car retained much of the design of the original CLK GTR instead of the CLK LM, including the V12 and many stylistic elements. One key difference was the rear wing, which used a hoop-style integrated wing in place of the separate racing wing. From the otherwise unrelated standard production*Mercedes-Benz CLK, only the instrumentation, front grille and the four headlamps were used.
Ilmor Engineering*provided enhancements to the engine, increasing displacement from 6.0L to 6.9L. This increase in displacement coupled with the removal of a racing air restrictor allowed for 612*PS (450*kW; 604*hp) and torque to 775*N·m (572*lb·ft). Mercedes-AMG claimed 0-100*km/h (62*mph) in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 320*km/h (199*mph).The*Guinness Book of World Recordsrecorded the CLK GTR as the most expensive production car ever built at the time, with a price of $1,547,620(USD).
Variants
The third Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster built, on display.After the completion of the 20 original CLK GTRs, AMG's specialist group H.W.A., who had assisted in the construction of the CLK GTRs, began construction of a roadster version of the CLK GTR. Built either by modifying an existing CLK GTR or by building a new car from spare chassis and parts, these cars were modified with the removal of their roofs as well as a reconstruction of their engine covers. Also the rear wing was replaced by a separate black wing, close to the one on the race CLK-GTR. Further the Roadster can be recognized by its different grille, which had a large star in it instead of a small version above it. Two rollbars integrating the cockpit headrests were used not only for structural integrity, but also rollover protection.
A total of six CLK GTR Roadsters were built by the company.H.W.A. also constructed a second variant, known as the CLK GTR Super Sport. These cars were similar to CLK GTRs, yet were powered instead by the newer*Mercedes-AMG*7.3L V12 which had been in use in thePagani Zonda*and*Mercedes-Benz SL73 AMG. Producing 664*PS (488*kW; 655*hp) and 786*N·m (580*lb·ft). The car also gained an additional front splitter for better stability at high speeds. Only 2 were built with the 7.3L engine: chassis #03,chassis #17.In total, 26 CLK-GTR production road versions were constructed. Of these, 20 are coupes and six are roadsters. Two of these were equipped with RHD steering: one coupe (silver exterior/tartan interior) and one roadster (dark silver exterior/magenta interior). These were constructed for*Hassanal Bolkiah, the*Sultan of Brunei.
Both RHD cars were auctioned on 28 October 2009 by RM Auctions in London.The roadster fetched £616,000 ($973,834 USD) and the coupe £522,500 ($824,609 USD).
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