Over the years, there have been many special editions for races, but few are as extreme as the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR. DK Engineering has put together detailed videos showing how this untamed racer differs from the standard CLK, roughly equivalent to today’s E-Class Coupe in the Mercedes lineup at the time.
The CLK GTR race car made its debut in 1997 in the FIA GT1 class, the leading international class in motorsport racing in the late 1990s. The GT1 class was ostensibly for production cars that had already been built. modified, but are in fact full-featured race cars with off-road variants sold in limited numbers.
Some manufacturers don’t even go that far. While some examples of CLK GTR and Porsche 911 GT1 Already sold to customers for on-road use, rival Nissan R390 GT1 and Toyota GT-One have never gone into private hands.
However, Mercedes has aimed to follow the legal document as well as its spirit, striving for the CLK GTR to be used on the streets in a civilized manner. It has air conditioning and central locking, for starters, the latter uses the same key fob as the normal CLK.
However, one feature you won’t find on the normal CLK is an integrated fire suppression system, the controls are located behind the dashboard in the driver’s door sill very thick (DK Engineering recommends equipping it). this system before you take a drive). Sliding over that threshold to enter the cockpit was a process.
Once inside, that same standard CLK key activates the center-mounted 6.0-liter V-12, which produced around 600 horsepower in early cars, but has since been raised. about 630 hp. Either way, it make a great sound. Mercedes also built a version of the CLK LM for the 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans with a 6.0-liter V-8 that was supposed to last longer, but both cars involved suffered from engine failure.
Shifting tasks are handled by a six-speed sequential transmission that has some quirks. Unlike modern paddle shifters, this one still has a clutch and the gear indicator light doesn’t always register when a new gear is selected. And reverse is activated by pulling a lever on the center console.
The bodywork is aluminum and carbon fiber honeycomb, with removable front and rear clamshells. Removing the rear clamshell lets you admire that V-12, while the front space is mostly occupied by the front suspension and some air ducts. Fuel, oil and washer fluid intake ports are located in the roof posts.
Not like 911 GT1, the CLK GTR was sold with functional racing-style air vents. Watch the full video to see them in action and to learn more details about this amazing Mercedes.
