The 2002 Mercedes-benz Clk-gtr Roadster is not just a car; it’s a statement of automotive exclusivity and a direct link to Mercedes-Benz’s dominant racing heritage. This particular model, boasting a mere 22 kilometers on its odometer, remains in an essentially pristine, untouched condition. Housed within a private collection in Saudi Arabia, this vehicle stands as one of only six roadsters ever produced, marking it as an exceptional piece of automotive engineering and a tangible descendant of the legendary race cars that dominated the late 1990s.
Alt text: Front three-quarter view of a silver Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR Roadster showcasing its low profile and wide stance.
The genesis of the CLK-GTR lies in Mercedes-Benz’s ambition to conquer the FIA GT Championship. To satisfy homologation regulations, a prerequisite for entering GT1 class racing, Mercedes-Benz was obligated to manufacture a limited run of street-legal versions of their GT1 race car – the very machine they campaigned on the track. The FIA GT Championship mandated that manufacturers produce at least 25 road-going iterations of their GT1 entries. This rule ensured that the race cars were fundamentally based on production models, rather than being purely prototype vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz adhered to these regulations by creating 20 coupes and an exceedingly rare series of just 6 roadsters. The first street-legal version emerged in late 1998. The roadster variant, introduced subsequently, amplified the exclusivity, offering an open-top design that distinguished it even further within the already scarce CLK-GTR lineage. Both the coupe and roadster versions were engineered to be remarkably similar to their racing counterparts, with only subtle modifications implemented for road usability. These included a slightly increased ride height and the addition of comfort-oriented features.
Alt text: Side view of a Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR Roadster, emphasizing its long wheelbase, rear wing, and open-top configuration.
Beneath the surface, the CLK-GTR Roadster harnessed a formidable 6.9-liter V12 engine, directly derived from its racing sibling, unleashing a staggering 612 horsepower. This powertrain 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 stood as one of the most potent and fastest automobiles available, delivering a driving experience on public roads that mirrored the intensity of racing, an experience unmatched by almost any other vehicle.
The Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR was originally conceived for the 1997 FIA GT Championship, where it immediately asserted its dominance. Equipped with a 6.0-liter V12 engine and cutting-edge aerodynamics, the race-spec CLK-GTR triumphed in the championship in its debut year, solidifying Mercedes-Benz’s reputation within the GT1 category. Remarkably, the car was developed in a mere 128 days, a testament to the extraordinary engineering capabilities of Mercedes-AMG. The CLK-GTR continued its reign in 1998, securing another FIA GT Championship title, although it began to face increasing competition from rivals like Porsche and Toyota.
Alt text: Dynamic shot of a Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR race car cornering on a track, illustrating its racing pedigree and aerodynamic design.
Following the FIA GT Championship’s discontinuation of the GT1 category after the 1998 season, Mercedes-Benz shifted its focus towards the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, developing the Mercedes-Benz CLR. The CLR represented a refined evolution of the CLK-GTR, specifically engineered for endurance racing. However, the CLR’s Le Mans campaign in 1999 is infamously remembered for issues related to aerodynamic instability. The car dramatically became airborne at high speeds during both practice sessions and the race itself, resulting in severe crashes. These incidents prompted Mercedes-Benz to withdraw from top-tier endurance racing for several years thereafter.
This specific CLK-GTR Roadster, with its incredibly low mileage of just 22 kilometers, represents a virtually untouched example of the road-legal manifestation of Mercedes’ GT1 racing legacy. The open-top design of the roadster variant elevates its rarity, adding another layer of exclusivity to an already exceptionally limited-production, high-performance supercar.
Alt text: Detailed view of the powerful V12 engine bay of a Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR Roadster, highlighting its engineering and performance.
With its roots deeply embedded in racing history, the CLK-GTR Roadster 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 immaculate, untouched condition firmly establishes it as a highly coveted collector’s item. To encounter one of these vehicles in such pristine condition is akin to stepping back into the golden era of GT1 racing, a testament to a remarkable period in automotive and motorsport history.
