The Mercedes-Benz Clk Dtm AMG is already a legendary machine, born from the racetrack success of AMG-Mercedes in the highly competitive DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) championship. However, what if we told you there was an even rarer, more extreme version? Enter the Benz CLK DTM AMG P900 Prototype, a vehicle so exclusive that only two were ever produced, and one of them is now exceptionally rare and available. This isn’t just another Benz CLK DTM; it’s a glimpse into the development process of AMG’s first fully in-house designed engine and a testament to their relentless pursuit of performance.
In the early 2000s, AMG was on a roll. They were churning out incredibly powerful versions of Mercedes-Benz’s luxury lineup. Fresh off the heels of successes with the CL, SL, S, and E 65 and 55 AMG models, they conceived something even more special: a road-going version of their dominant DTM race car. The AMG-Mercedes team’s utter dominance in the 2002 and 2003 DTM seasons fueled this ambition. In 2003, Bernd Schneider clinched the DTM driver’s title in his Benz CLK DTM AMG, a season where AMG-Mercedes won an astounding 9 out of 10 races. This overwhelming success sparked the idea to create a street-legal embodiment of their racing prowess. The entire team, including the drivers, enthusiastically embraced this project. Official drivers clocked over 30,000 km in testing, both on public roads and racetracks, to refine what would become the Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM AMG. Released in a limited, numbered series of 100 coupes with a hefty price tag of €243,386 in 2004 (equivalent to approximately €331,300 in 2024), the Benz CLK DTM AMG was an instant collector’s item. An additional 80 convertibles were later produced.
But the story doesn’t end there. Beyond the celebrated Benz CLK DTM AMG, AMG crafted four even more exclusive CLK AMG Coupé variants under the designation CLK DTM AMG P900. Of these four, only two are known to exist today. These prototypes served a crucial purpose: they were instrumental in the development and unveiling of a groundbreaking new engine. While all production Benz CLK DTM AMG models boasted the formidable 5.5-liter supercharged V8 (M113 K) producing 582 hp and 800 Nm of torque, the P900 prototypes were the testbeds for the naturally aspirated M156 V8 engine. This all-alloy marvel, displacing a massive 6,208 cm3 yet weighing a mere 199 kg, was a clean-sheet design. Featuring four camshafts with variable valve timing and 32 valves, it initially produced around 510 hp and 630 Nm of torque. This engine, marketed as a 6.3-liter in homage to the legendary M100 engine of the 300 SE 6.3, debuted in the spring of 2006 under the hood of the E63 AMG and subsequently powered a vast range of AMG models.
Hand-assembled in 2005, this particular Benz CLK DTM P900 chassis served as a crucial development mule for the 6.2 V8 M156 engine – AMG’s first engine designed entirely in-house. This Benz CLK DTM P900 wasn’t intended for sale; it was a rolling laboratory, a demonstration vehicle for AMG’s VIP clientele. Imagine being a VIP client of AMG in 2005: you’re invited to a racetrack, and this prototype, the Benz CLK DTM P900, is your taxi around the circuit, showcasing the raw power of the upcoming 6.2-liter V8. AMG factory drivers of the time, including racing legends like Jean Alesi, Jamie Green, and Bernd Schneider, reportedly piloted this very car, giving VIP guests unforgettable hot laps. Even automotive publications of the era, such as the renowned British magazine Evo, featured tests and reviews of this very prototype.
Visually, the Benz CLK DTM P900 prototype possesses an even stronger resemblance to the actual DTM race car than the production Benz CLK DTM AMG. Key differentiators include a more pronounced rear spoiler, Lexan windows, and carbon fiber doors, all contributing to weight reduction and a more track-focused demeanor. Compared to the already aggressive production Benz CLK DTM AMG, the P900 boasts generously ventilated front fenders, smaller DTM-style side mirrors, carbon fiber front canards, and a unique AMG livery that further emphasizes its prototype status. The interior is equally race-inspired, featuring fire-retardant fabric bucket seats, racing harnesses, a full roll cage, an Alcantara-clad dashboard, a digital racing instrument cluster, and a specialized steering wheel. Despite its radical modifications, the P900 started life as a standard CLK 500 Avantgarde, ensuring a baseline of Mercedes-Benz quality and refinement. However, the transformation by AMG was so extensive that it feels more akin to a meticulously enhanced Benz CLK DTM race car, incorporating genuine DTM technology. The build quality reflects its purpose – impeccable, as it was intended to impress VIP clients and showcase AMG’s capabilities. Its construction echoes the hand-built nature of DTM cars from the 1980s and 1990s, emphasizing performance above all else.
This particular Benz CLK DTM P900 remained within AMG’s possession in Germany for many years, serving as a display piece at various events and within their facilities. The second P900 prototype is reportedly still held by AMG in the USA. Neither car was ever officially offered for public sale. However, this specific P900 was eventually acquired by a significant Mercedes and AMG collector as part of a larger acquisition of racing vehicles, making it exceptionally rare to become available outside of AMG’s direct ownership. While occasionally used on track days, it has spent the majority of its time carefully preserved within a private collection. Reportedly maintained in perfect working and driving condition, this Benz CLK DTM P900 represents a truly unique opportunity.
This Benz CLK DTM P900 is not just rare; it is a singular prototype, the only one of its kind accessible on the market. The other example remains within AMG’s collection, possibly in a museum setting in the United States, making this car an unparalleled piece of Mercedes-AMG history. Driven by motorsport icons like Jean Alesi, Klaus Ludwig, Jamie Green, and Bernd Schneider, this prototype comes with a COC (Certificate of Conformity) in pre-race configuration, theoretically making it road-legal, although modifications might be necessary for full registration in certain jurisdictions. As with any genuine race car, it currently lacks registration documents.
Please note that this car is subject to VAT on the hammer price.
