The 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR Roadster stands as a monument to automotive exclusivity and high-performance engineering, particularly within the revered AMG lineage. This exceptional vehicle, boasting a mere 22 kilometers on its odometer, remains virtually untouched, a jewel from a private Saudi collection. As one of just six roadsters ever crafted, it represents not only a pinnacle of Mercedes-Benz engineering but also a direct link to one of the most formidable race cars of the late 1990s: the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR AMG.
The genesis of the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR AMG lies in Mercedes-Benz’s ambition to dominate the FIA GT Championship. To comply with homologation regulations, Mercedes-AMG was obligated to produce a limited run of street-legal versions of their GT1 race car, the very machine they deployed on the track. The FIA GT Championship stipulated that manufacturers must construct at least 25 road-going variants of their GT1 entries, ensuring a genuine connection between race cars and production models, rather than allowing for pure prototypes.
Mercedes-Benz fulfilled this requirement by producing 20 coupes and a mere six roadsters. The inaugural street-legal version was completed in late 1998. The roadster variant, unveiled subsequently, amplified the exclusivity, its open-top configuration offering a unique interpretation of the already scarce CLK-GTR. Both coupe and roadster iterations shared near-identical engineering DNA with the race cars. Modifications for road usability were minimal, primarily involving a slightly elevated ride height and the incorporation of enhanced comfort amenities.
Beneath the sculpted hood of the Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR Roadster resided a potent 6.9-liter V12 engine, a derivative of the racing powerplant, unleashing 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. The CLK-GTR AMG stood as one of the most potent and rapid vehicles of its era, delivering a raw, racing-inspired experience on public roads that few contemporaries could rival. This engine, meticulously crafted by AMG, solidified the car’s performance credentials and its place in automotive history.
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 in its initial racing form and benefiting from advanced aerodynamic design, 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 was developed in a mere 128 days, a testament to the exceptional engineering capabilities of Mercedes-AMG. The CLK-GTR continued its triumphant streak in 1998, clinching another FIA GT Championship title, although it began to encounter stronger 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 towards the 24 Hours of Le Mans, developing the Mercedes-Benz CLR. The CLR was intended as a refined evolution of the CLK-GTR, specifically engineered for endurance racing. However, the CLR’s Le Mans campaign in 1999 became notorious for critical aerodynamic instability issues. The cars became airborne at high speeds during both practice sessions and the race itself, culminating in dramatic and unsettling crashes. These incidents prompted Mercedes-Benz to withdraw from top-tier endurance racing for several years thereafter, marking a controversial chapter in the CLK lineage despite the prior successes of the CLK-GTR AMG.
This particular Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR Roadster, with its incredibly low mileage of just 22 kilometers, represents a pristine embodiment of the road-legal manifestation of Mercedes-AMG’s GT1 racing heritage. The open-top configuration of the roadster variant elevates its rarity even further, adding an additional layer of exclusivity to what was already an ultra-limited production, high-performance supercar. Its untouched condition amplifies its desirability for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
With its roots deeply embedded in racing history, the Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR Roadster stands as one of the most significant homologation specials ever produced. The convergence of extreme rarity, direct lineage to a championship-winning race car meticulously engineered by AMG, and its virtually untouched condition solidifies its status as a highly coveted collector’s item. Witnessing one of these vehicles in such immaculate condition offers a captivating glimpse back to the golden era of GT1 racing and the unparalleled engineering of Mercedes-AMG.
