via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewlzvMItwB8
The 1997 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR is widely regarded as one of the most elegant and advanced GT race cars ever built. Originally designed for the FIA GT Championship, Mercedes was required to produce road-legal versions to comply with homologation rules. The result was a highly exclusive production run: 25 coupes and only 6 roadsters.
The CLK GTR road car was powered by a 6.9-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine developed by AMG. This engine, based on the Mercedes M120 block, produced 612 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 775 Newton-metres of torque at 5,250 rpm. The engine was mid-mounted longitudinally and paired with a 6-speed sequential manual gearbox operated via paddle shifters. It used a triple-plate carbon clutch and sent power to the rear wheels.
The monocoque chassis was constructed from carbon-fibre and aluminium honeycomb, ensuring extreme rigidity while keeping weight low. The body panels were also made entirely from carbon-fibre reinforced plastic. Overall weight for the coupe was around 1,440 kilograms.
Suspension was double wishbone all around, with push-rod actuated coil-over dampers and anti-roll bars. The braking system featured ventilated carbon-ceramic discs with 6-piston calipers, providing strong and consistent stopping power.
Performance was in line with top-tier race cars. The CLK GTR could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed of about 346 km/h. The car rode on 18-inch center-lock magnesium wheels with racing slick-style Michelin tires for the road version. Electronic systems were minimal—there was no traction control or ABS, reflecting the car’s motorsport origins.
The CLK GTR Roadster used the same mechanical platform, with added chassis reinforcement and revised bodywork to accommodate the removable roof. Despite these changes, weight increase was minimal, and performance figures were nearly identical.
On the track, the CLK GTR was built to compete in the 1997 FIA GT Championship as a GT1 class car. Designed and assembled in under 130 days, it made an immediate impact. The car won 6 out of 11 races in its debut season. Mercedes-AMG won both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships, with Bernd Schneider securing the individual title. Other key drivers included Klaus Ludwig and Alexander Wurz.
In 1998, the CLK GTR GT1 car returned for the start of the season and won the first two rounds before being replaced by the CLK LM. These early victories contributed to another successful campaign, helping Mercedes-AMG secure a second consecutive constructors' and drivers' championship.
Even today, the CLK GTR remains one of the rarest and most technically advanced road cars ever produced by Mercedes-Benz, and a defining example of late-1990s GT1-era racing technology.
Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR – Technical Specifications
Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Coupe Road Legal Version
Production 25 units
Engine 69L naturally aspirated V12 M120
Power 612 hp at 6800 rpm
Torque 775 Nm at 5250 rpm
Transmission 6 speed sequential manual
Drivetrain Rear wheel drive
Chassis Carbon fibre monocoque with aluminium honeycomb
Bodywork Carbon fibre reinforced plastic
Suspension Double wishbone push rod actuated coil overs
Brakes Ventilated carbon ceramic discs with 6 piston calipers
Wheels 18 inch center lock magnesium
Weight Approx 1440 kg
0 to 100 kmh Around 3,8 seconds
Top Speed Around 346 kmh
Electronics No ABS or traction control
Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster Road Legal Version
Production 6 units
Engine 69L naturally aspirated V12 M120
Power 612 hp at 6800 rpm
Torque 775 Nm at 5250 rpm
Transmission 6 speed sequential manual
Drivetrain Rear wheel drive
Chassis Reinforced carbon fibre monocoque
Bodywork Carbon fibre with open top configuration
Suspension Same as coupe
Brakes Same as coupe
Wheels Same as coupe
Weight Approx 1450 plus kg
0 to 100 kmh Around 3,8 seconds
Top Speed Around 340 plus kmh
Electronics No ABS or traction control
Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR GT1 Race Car
Category FIA GT Championship GT1 Class
Engine 60L naturally aspirated V12 AMG built
Power Approx 600 to 630 hp race tuned
Torque Approx 700 plus Nm
Transmission 6 speed sequential racing gearbox
Drivetrain Rear wheel drive
Chassis Carbon fibre monocoque
Bodywork Lightweight carbon fibre with aerodynamic package
Suspension Racing spec double wishbone with push rods
Brakes Carbon carbon racing brakes
Wheels Lightweight racing wheels with center lock hubs
Weight Approx 1000 to 1100 kg
0 to 100 kmh Around 3,3 seconds estimated
Top Speed Around 330 to 340 kmh depending on setup
Electronics Minimal race spec telemetry no driver aids
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