The 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR Roadster stands as a monumental piece of automotive history, representing the pinnacle of racing homologation and extreme exclusivity. This particular model, boasting a mere 22 kilometers on its odometer, is virtually untouched, preserved in a private Saudi collection. Its rarity is undeniable – it’s one of only six roadsters ever produced, making it not just a car, but a remarkable artifact of engineering and a direct descendant of one of the most celebrated race cars of the late 1990s: the Mercedes Amg Clk Gtr.
Homologation Bred for Domination: The Genesis of the CLK-GTR
The Mercedes AMG CLK GTR was conceived from Mercedes-Benz’s ambition to conquer the FIA GT Championship. Regulations stipulated that to compete in the GT1 class, manufacturers had to produce a minimum of 25 street-legal versions of their GT race car. This homologation rule was designed to ensure that race cars were rooted in production models, rather than being purpose-built prototypes. Mercedes-Benz embraced this challenge, giving birth to the CLK-GTR.
To meet these requirements, Mercedes-Benz meticulously crafted 20 coupes and an exceedingly rare 6 roadsters. The initial street-legal coupe emerged in late 1998, but it was the later introduced roadster variant that elevated exclusivity to new heights. The open-top design of the Mercedes AMG CLK GTR Roadster offered a unique dimension to an already exceptionally scarce machine. Both coupe and roadster variants shared near-identical engineering DNA with their racing counterparts, with only subtle modifications for road usability, such as a slightly raised ride height and the inclusion of comfort amenities.
Power and Performance: Unleashing the Racing V12 on the Road
Beneath the skin, the Mercedes AMG CLK GTR Roadster housed a formidable 6.9-liter V12 engine. This powerplant, directly derived from the racing version, unleashed a staggering 612 horsepower. This immense power propelled the car from 0 to 60 mph in just over 3 seconds, achieving a top speed of approximately 208 mph. At its time, the CLK-GTR was among the most potent and quickest cars available, delivering a raw, race-bred driving experience on public roads that few vehicles could rival.
Racing Pedigree: From Track to Road
The Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR was originally engineered for the 1997 FIA GT Championship, where it immediately asserted its dominance. Armed with a 6.0-liter V12 engine and cutting-edge aerodynamics, the race-spec CLK-GTR secured the championship title in its debut year, firmly establishing Mercedes-AMG’s prowess in the GT1 category. Remarkably, the car’s development from concept to track readiness was achieved in just 128 days, a testament to Mercedes-AMG’s engineering capabilities. The CLK-GTR continued its reign in 1998, clinching another FIA GT Championship, although it began to face increasing competition from rivals like Porsche and Toyota.
Following the FIA GT Championship’s discontinuation of the GT1 category after the 1998 season, Mercedes-Benz shifted its focus to the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, developing the Mercedes-Benz CLR. The CLR was envisioned as a refined evolution of the CLK-GTR, specifically tailored for endurance racing. However, the CLR’s 1999 Le Mans campaign became infamous due to severe aerodynamic instability issues. The cars tragically became airborne at high speeds during both practice sessions and the race itself, resulting in spectacular crashes. These incidents prompted Mercedes-Benz to withdraw from top-tier endurance racing for several years.
A Pristine Piece of Automotive Racing History
This particular Mercedes AMG CLK GTR Roadster, with its incredibly low mileage of just 22 kilometers, represents a virtually flawless example of the road-legal incarnation of Mercedes’ GT1 racing legacy. The open-top configuration of the roadster variant further amplifies its rarity, adding another layer of exclusivity to what was already an exceptionally limited-production, high-performance supercar.
With its roots deeply embedded in racing history, the Mercedes AMG CLK GTR Roadster unequivocally stands as one of the most significant homologation cars ever created. The convergence of its extreme scarcity, direct lineage to a championship-winning race car, and its pristine, untouched condition solidifies its status as a highly coveted collector’s item. Witnessing a Mercedes AMG CLK GTR Roadster in such immaculate condition is akin to stepping back into the golden era of GT1 racing, a true embodiment of automotive passion and engineering excellence.
