The story of the CLK GTR begins with Mercedes-Benz’s ambition to compete in the FIA GT Championship. The rules required manufacturers to produce a minimum number of road-legal versions of their race cars. In 1997, Mercedes-Benz unveiled the CLK GTR, a car designed specifically to meet these requirements and take on the competition, including the formidable McLaren F1 GTR and Porsche 911 GT1. The CLK GTR’s design is heavily influenced by aerodynamics and racing functionality. The car features a low-slung body, wide stance, and prominent rear wing, all of which contribute to its high-speed stability and downforce. The carbon-fiber bodywork ensures the vehicle is lightweight yet strong, essential for both performance and safety.

At the heart of the CLK GTR is a 6.9-liter V12 engine, derived from the powerplant used in Mercedes-Benz’s Group C prototype cars. This monstrous engine produces 612 horsepower and 775 Nm (572 lb-ft) of torque, allowing the car to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 344 km/h (214 mph). The power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a six-speed sequential manual transmission, providing precise and rapid gear changes.  The CLK GTR’s chassis is a carbon-fiber monocoque structure, providing exceptional rigidity and lightness. The car features double-wishbone suspension with pushrod-operated coil springs and dampers, designed to offer superb handling and cornering capabilities. This sophisticated suspension setup, combined with the car’s aerodynamic design, ensures it remains planted on the road or track, even at high speeds.

The CLK GTR made its racing debut in the 1997 FIA GT Championship and quickly proved its dominance. The car won six out of eleven races in its debut season, securing both the driver’s and manufacturer’s championships for Mercedes-Benz. The CLK GTR continued its success in the 1998 season, further cementing its status as one of the most successful GT cars of its era. To comply with homologation requirements, Mercedes-Benz produced 25 road-legal versions of the CLK GTR, including 20 coupes and 5 roadsters. These road-going variants retained much of the race car’s performance characteristics but were slightly modified for usability on public roads. The CLK GTR road car is nearly identical to its racing counterpart, making it one of the most extreme road-legal vehicles ever produced.