Dec 25, 2006 03:56 PM
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I recently got my scale down model of Mercedes CLK GTR and Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing. I thought of writing a review on this beautiful peace of machinery and design which is known as Mercedes CLK GTR. Many of us must have seen this beauty in Need For Speed III – Hot Pursuit,
The production and legacy of CLK GTR can be categorized into two variants. One which was solely built to compete in the FIA GT Series and the other the road version of CLK GTR.
CONCEPT
The CLK-GTR was created by HWA (AMG's specialist group It was built keeping in mind the reputation of being the ultimate Super car which has an indescribable and unmatched performance. The concept of creating the CLK GTR came into picture when Mercedes wanted to take part in the GT series. Mercedes wanted to compete with the likes of Porsche 911 GT1, McLaren F1, Ferrari F40 and others, Nissan R390 GT1 and Toyota GT-One joined the 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans.
But the FIA-GT rules clearly specify that a road legal car, similar to the road race version, must be built to FIA specifications, and be available to the commercial market. (Excerpt taken from FIA Guidelines).
The CLK was built within 128 days making the project turn into reality from a dream. It took part in the FIA GT series and won race after race and the championship from 1997 to 1998.
RACE VARIANT
The CLK GTR has been built around a carbon fiber monocoque, behind the passenger compartment the V12 engine was mounted longitudinally. Kevlar was used to make the body panels, (especially front grille, four headlamps) have a striking resemblance with the standard Mercedes CLK.
The 5.9 liter Mercedes-Benz M120 engine unit has been taken from the Mercedes-Benz S600 road cars, with power limited to approx. 600bhp (mandatory air restrictors) powers the beast of a machine. The 6-speed paddle-shift transmission powered the rear wheels. The CLK can reach a top speed 198 MPH.
ROAD VARIANT
After the CLK GTR won all World Championships titles it competed for in 1997 and 1998, the FIA GT1 class was cancelled in 1999 as no competitor turned for the event. Mercedes was contractually obliged to produce and deliver the 25 cars (as per the FIA GT rules). These cars were built by AMG at their Affalterbach factory between the winter of 1998 and summer of 1999 ( excerpt taken from CLK GTR AMG SuperSport).
There was a slight difference between the road version of the CLK and the sport version.They were not refined enough because modifications were prohibited by the rules and any modifications would have been very expensive.
Engine enhancement was brought in by Ilmor Engineering. They brought the displacement from 5.9 liters to 6.8 and also increased the unrestricted power to 612bhp and torque to 572 lb/ft. They claimed a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 199 mph. The engine is 6898 cc V12 with a manual six - speed transmission.
After the 25 original CLK-GTR’s were built. HWA got down to modify the existing CLK-GTR chassis and also created additional cars from spare chassis. The final outcome of these modifications was 5 CLK GTR AMG Roadsters. These were modified by removing the roof and adding on the rollover bars.
The CLK GTR AMG SuperSport was another design variant by AMG. They took an ordinary CLK GTR, powered it with an AMG-built 7.3L V12 (same unit which powers the Pagani Zonda and Mercedes-Benz SL73 AMG). This variant had an additional front splitter. This is the only CLK-GTR which didn’t come in the Silver color. It came in two colors red and black. Only 5 of these beauties were built by HWA
It was the most expensive production car ever built during that time. It carried a price of $1,573,000, it certainly deserved this title. It has always been considered the spiritual successor to the legendary Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing of the 1950s. And it proudly carried the legacy of the Gullwing.
Though only 25 cars were ever built by AMG. The CLK still remains one of the best sportscars ever built. And I have got the satisfaction of at least owning the scale down model of the CLK if not the real one.
