The Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Straßenversion, hailing from the esteemed @redshift75 collection, stands as a testament to Mercedes-Benz’s audacious engineering and design prowess. Emerging in 1998, this vehicle isn’t just a car; it’s arguably the most extreme machine ever conceived by Mercedes for public roads in the last century, marking Mercedes-Benz’s grand entrance into the realm of true supercars. Driven by the ambition to eclipse the McLaren F1 and Porsche GT1, then titans of GT racing, Mercedes-Benz embarked on a mission to conquer the fiercely competitive GT1 class of the late 1990s. The CLK GTR’s impact was undeniable, securing victory in 17 out of 22 races across the 1997 and 1998 seasons, before the FIA’s GT1 class was discontinued in 1999.
Mercedes-Benz’s foray into the CLK GTR project was a direct challenge to the dominance of the McLaren F1 and Porsche GT1, which had reigned supreme in the FIA GT1 class in 1995 and 1996, respectively. In 1996, during the initial phases of CLK GTR development, Mercedes strategically acquired a McLaren F1 GTR from the French Larbre Competition team. This acquisition was crucial, allowing Mercedes to rigorously evaluate the F1 GTR’s performance benchmarks and ensure the CLK GTR would not only compete but excel against the reigning champion. The subsequent racing seasons validated this strategy, with the CLK GTR clinching the GT1 championship titles in both 1997 and 1998, solidifying its place in motorsport history.
To meet homologation requirements for FIA GT1 class participation, which mandated the production of at least 25 road-legal versions, Mercedes-Benz meticulously crafted just 26 examples of the CLK GTR Straßenversion. While visually related to the more conventional CLK coupe, the Straßenversion shares only a handful of components with its mass-produced sibling – specifically, the headlights, taillights, and front grille. Mercedes-Benz aimed to replicate the raw, unadulterated race car experience in the Straßenversion, while also striving to manage production costs. Luxury and convenience features such as air conditioning, leather upholstery, and traction control were included as standard, blending performance with a degree of road-car civility. Despite these concessions to comfort, the 1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Straßenversion was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most expensive production car at its launch in 1998, commanding a price of $1,547,620.
The designation “Straßenversion,” directly translating to “street version,” implies road usability, yet the driving dynamics of the CLK GTR are anything but ordinary. The sequential gearbox demands clutch engagement when utilizing the column-mounted paddle shifters, a characteristic setup reminiscent of 1990s racing technology. Once in motion, the cabin becomes an orchestra of mechanical sounds – the distinct whine of the transmission, the resonant intake roar channeled through the roof-mounted air scoop, and considerable road feedback. The direct mounting of the V12 engine to the carbon fiber chassis, devoid of vibration-dampening rubber bushings, intensifies the tactile connection to the road, transmitting palpable vibrations and road feel through the steering wheel and seat. Mirroring its racing counterpart, the suspension system employs double wishbones both front and rear, with the rear suspension directly linked to the engine structure. However, the inclusion of rubber suspension bushings and softer damping rates in the Straßenversion offers a slightly more forgiving ride quality over uneven surfaces.
Today, the CLK GTR is celebrated as one of the most groundbreaking and audacious automobiles of the 20th century. Its storied racing legacy, marked by triumphs against formidable competitors like McLaren and Porsche to secure consecutive GT1 championships, is mirrored in its road-going persona. The 1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Straßenversion offers a driving experience that is both brutally visceral and mechanically sophisticated, embodying the essence of endurance racing DNA. With a mere 26 units ever produced, encountering a CLK GTR Straßenversion remains a rare and privileged experience for automotive enthusiasts worldwide.
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.
