After Mercedes-Benz had homologated their GT1 racecar with a single road-going coupe, they went the distance and had HWA build 25 more examples. These mimicked the racecars almost entirely from the outside, but featured more forgiving suspension, an easier state of tune and a lush interior.
The race versions of the CLK GTR did well in 1997 when Bernd Schneider and Klaus Ludwig took many victories and won the FIA championship. While the front end of their car had resemblence to the front-engined CLK saloon it was named after, the GTR was entirely new.
The GTR was mid-engined and powered by an SL600-based 6.9-litre V12 producing 600bhp. Mated to the monocoque tub and sequential gearbox, the engine was an stressed member of the chassis.
In 1998 and 1999, Mercedes-Benz prepared 25 roadgoing CLK GTRs which were detuned to 550bhp and used an integral wing. Most of the cars used the 5.9 liter Mercedes-Benz M120 engine from the S600 series except one which was delivered with the then new 7.3 litre AMG unit. This was called the Super Sport and possibly one or two more GTRs have been upgraded likewise.
After all the Coupes were sold, HWA created a limited edition roadster of which only five examples were made. These few became the most expensive production cars in the world.
At their Grandes Marques Г Monaco sale in 2003 Bonhams sold car number 12 with just 55 kilometres recorded on the odometer for 733,000 Euros plus Premium and tax.
engine V12
valvetrain DOHC 4 Valves / Cyl
displacement 6898 cc / 420.9 cu in
bore 89.0 mm / 3.5 in
stroke 92.4 mm / 3.64 in
compression 10.5:1
power 456.4 kw / 612.0 bhp @ 6800 rpm
hp per litre 88.72 bhp per litre
bhp/weight
torque 775 nm / 571.6 ft lbs @ 5250 rpm
redline 7800 RPM
drive wheels Mid Engine / RWD
body / frame Carbon Fibre
front brakes Vented Carbon Fibre Discs
f brake size 381 mm / 15.0 in
rear brakes Vented Carbon Fibre Discs
r brake size 356 mm / 14.0 in
front wheels F 45.7 x 55.9 cm / 18.0 x 22.0 in
rear wheels R 45.7 x 66.0 cm / 18.0 x 26.0 in
front tire size 295/35ZR18
rear tire size 345/35ZR18
steering Rack & Pinion w/Power Assist
weight 1545 kg / 3406 lbs
wheelbase 2670 mm / 105.1 in
front track 1600 mm / 63.0 in
rear track 1600 mm / 63.0 in
length 4855 mm / 191.1 in
width 1950 mm / 76.8 in
height 1164 mm / 45.8 in
transmission 6-Speed
gear ratios 2.71:1, 2.20:1, 1.80:1, 1.52:1, 1.33:1, 1.18:1
final drive 2.88:1
top speed 307.4 kph / 191.0 mph
0 - 60 mph 3.4 seconds
0 - 100 mph 5.7 seconds
0 - 1/4 mile 9.4 seconds
Production: 25 Units (CLK GTR Coupe)