The 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR Roadster stands as an automotive unicorn, a vehicle of extreme rarity and unparalleled exclusivity. This particular model, boasting a mere 22 kilometers on its odometer, is practically untouched, residing within a private Saudi Arabian collection. Being one of only six roadsters ever produced, this Benz Amg Clk Gtr is not just a car; it’s a remarkable feat of engineering and a direct descendant of one of the most iconic race cars from the late 1990s.
The genesis of the Benz AMG CLK GTR lies in Mercedes-Benz’s ambition to dominate the FIA GT Championship. Regulations stipulated that to compete, Mercedes had to create street-legal versions of their GT1 race car—the very car they were campaigning on the track. The FIA GT Championship mandated that manufacturers produce at least 25 road-going iterations of their GT1 entries. This rule ensured that race cars were grounded in production models rather than being purely prototype machines.
Mercedes-Benz adhered to these rules by producing 20 coupes and an exceedingly rare six roadsters. The first street version coupe was completed in late 1998, but the roadster variant, introduced later, amplified the exclusivity. Its open-top design distinguished it as a unique and even scarcer version of the already limited CLK-GTR. Both the coupe and roadster versions were engineered to be strikingly similar to their racing counterparts. Minor adjustments were made for road usability, including a slightly increased ride height and the addition of comfort-oriented features.
Beneath the hood, the Benz AMG CLK GTR Roadster housed a potent 6.9-liter V12 engine, a derivative of the racing engine, unleashing 612 horsepower. This immense power propelled the car from 0 to 60 mph in just over 3 seconds, reaching a top speed of approximately 208 mph. The CLK-GTR was a frontrunner in performance during its era, delivering a driving experience on public roads that could rival few others, effectively bridging the gap between race track and highway.
The Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR was originally conceived for the 1997 FIA GT Championship, where it quickly asserted its dominance. Equipped with a 6.0-liter V12 engine and cutting-edge aerodynamics, the race-spec CLK-GTR clinched the championship in its debut year, cementing Mercedes’ reputation in the GT1 category. Developed in a mere 128 days, the CLK-GTR stands as a testament to the engineering brilliance of Mercedes-AMG. The car continued its triumphant streak in 1998, securing another FIA GT Championship title, although it began to face stiffer competition from rivals like Porsche and Toyota.
Following the FIA GT Championship’s discontinuation of the GT1 category after the 1998 season, Mercedes-Benz shifted its focus to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, leading to the development of the Mercedes-Benz CLR. The CLR was intended as a refined evolution of the CLK-GTR, specifically engineered for endurance racing. However, the CLR’s Le Mans campaign in 1999 is unfortunately remembered for significant aerodynamic instability issues. The car became infamous for taking flight at high speeds during both practice sessions and the race itself, resulting in dramatic and concerning crashes. These incidents prompted Mercedes-Benz to withdraw from top-tier endurance racing for several years thereafter.
This particular Benz AMG CLK GTR Roadster, with its incredibly low mileage of just 22 kilometers, is an immaculate representation of the road-legal embodiment of Mercedes’ GT1 racing legacy. The roadster’s open-top configuration enhances its rarity, adding another layer of exclusivity to what was already an exceptionally limited-production, high-performance supercar.
With its roots deeply embedded in racing history, the CLK-GTR Roadster is recognized as one of the most significant homologation cars ever created. The convergence of its extreme scarcity, direct lineage to a championship-winning race car, and its pristine, untouched condition solidifies its status as a highly sought-after collector’s item. Witnessing a Benz AMG CLK GTR in such original condition is akin to stepping back into the golden age of GT1 racing, a truly remarkable experience for any automotive enthusiast.
