The Mercedes-Benz Clk Gtr Straßenversion stands as a monument to automotive audacity, arguably the most extreme road-going vehicle ever conceived by the German marque in its illustrious history. This wasn’t just another supercar; the CLK GTR was Mercedes-Benz’s emphatic entry into the hyper-competitive realm of late 1990s GT racing, a direct response to the dominance of the McLaren F1 and Porsche GT1. Born from the crucible of motorsport, the CLK GTR conquered the FIA GT1 class, securing victory in an astounding 17 out of 22 races across the 1997 and 1998 seasons, before the class was ultimately retired in 1999.
Mercedes-Benz engineered the CLK GTR with a singular goal: to surpass the McLaren F1 and Porsche GT1, which had reigned supreme in the FIA GT1 category in 1995 and 1996 respectively. Demonstrating their commitment, Mercedes acquired a McLaren F1 GTR early in the CLK GTR’s development phase from the Larbre Competition team. This strategic acquisition allowed them to meticulously analyze the F1 GTR’s performance benchmarks, ensuring the nascent CLK GTR would not only compete but dominate. The results spoke for themselves, with the CLK GTR claiming the championship titles in both 1997 and 1998, firmly establishing its racing pedigree.
To meet homologation requirements for FIA GT1 class participation, Mercedes-Benz produced a mere 26 examples of the CLK GTR Straßenversion, the street version. Regulations stipulated the construction of at least 25 road-legal cars for the race car to qualify. While visually related to the more conventional CLK coupe, the Straßenversion shared only a handful of components with its tamer sibling – namely the headlights, taillights, and front grille. Mercedes-Benz prioritized delivering an authentic race car experience for the road, while surprisingly including standard features like air conditioning, leather upholstery, and traction control. Despite these concessions to road usability, the CLK GTR was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most expensive production car at its 1998 launch, commanding a price of $1,547,620.
The “Straßenversion” designation clearly denotes a street-legal car, yet the driving dynamics are anything but ordinary. The sequential gearbox demands clutch engagement when using the column-mounted paddle shifters, a characteristic feature of 1990s racing technology. Once in motion, the cabin becomes a symphony of mechanical sounds: the distinctive whine of the transmission, the roar of induction noise channeled through the roof-mounted air intake, and pronounced road feedback. The direct mounting of the V12 engine to the carbon fiber chassis, devoid of vibration-dampening rubber bushings, translates to significant vibrations and tactile road information felt through the steering wheel and seat. Mirroring its racing counterpart, the Straßenversion features double wishbone suspension both front and rear, with the rear suspension directly linked to the engine. However, the inclusion of rubber suspension bushings and softer damping settings offers a degree of compliance for public roads.
Today, the CLK GTR is celebrated as an icon, one of the most groundbreaking and outrageous automobiles of the 20th century. Its legacy is cemented not only by its triumphant track record, vanquishing rivals like McLaren and Porsche to secure consecutive GT1 championships, but also by its raw and visceral road-going iteration. The Straßenversion delivers a driving experience remarkably akin to its racing sibling: a brutally capable, yet mechanically sophisticated supercar imbued with endurance racing DNA. With only 26 of these exceptional machines ever created, encountering a Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR is a rare privilege, a chance to witness automotive history in motion.
Specifications:
- Engine: 6.9 Liter V12
- Horsepower: 612 @ 6800 RPM
- Torque: 568 ft./lbs. @ 5250 RPM
- Top Speed: 213 MPH
- 0-60 MPH: 3.6 Seconds
- Transmission: Six Speed Manual, with Paddle Shifters and Clutch
- Weight: 3404 lbs.
