Nothing quite equals AMG’s magic formula for racing technology transfer
like the rare CLK-GTR roadster.
Prior to signing a cooperation agreement with Mercedes-Benz in 1990, AMG, founded in
1967 by Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher, was a special vehicle tuning and motorsports pioneer in Germany. Its acquisition as a wholly owned Mercedes-Benz
subsidiary took place in January 2005.
The collaboration has resulted in a number of competition sports cars and ultra-high-performance production vehicles, plus participation in motorsports. In 1997,
Team AMG won the FIA GT championship with the Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR racing
sports prototype. AMG then in April 1997 produced a road-legal model based on the
racecar – the CLK-GTR super-sports car.
The 2002 CLK-GTR roadster, with delivery miles and owned by Shelby Smith at Elite Autos in Jonesboro, AR, featured here is one of six roadsters and twenty coupes produced and the
only roadster known to be in the U.S. at this time. It’s arguably the finest example of this
rare roadster in the world! Some production numbers show a total of 25, others
show total of 26!
Powered by a 6.0-liter V12 rated at 600 horsepower, this roadster will sprint to 60 mph in approximately 3.4 seconds, generate 1.70 lateral Gs on a skid pad and top out at over 190 mph. It is the poster car for the ultimate real world Supercar developed from a serious racecar.
This unique super-sports car came with air-conditioning, quality sound system (what could be nicer than just listening to its exhaust note?) and leather upholstery. Yet the CLK-GTR
remains true to its racing lineage at all times. The super-sports car delivers outstanding
driving performance, and its compact cockpit provides an authentic racing feel for
both driver and passenger.
This CLK-GTR highlights all of AMG’s skills and experience in technology transfer from sports racing to sophisticated production cars with outstanding sports performance.
There’s nothing like it.
AMG CLK-GTR & CLK-DTM RACING TIMELINE
• 1997: The new Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR, built by AMG in only 128 days, takes Bernd Schneider to the inaugural FIA GT Championship title.
• 1998: AMG Mercedes dominates the FIA-GT series, with Klaus Ludwig and Ricardo Zonta winning all 11 races and the Drivers' Championship in the CLK-GTR. AMG-Mercedes cruises to the Constructors' title.
• 2000: In the first year of the new DTM (German Touring Car Masters) series, AMG clinches the title with Bernd Schneider at the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz CLK-DTM.
• 2001: A repeat of the previous year with Bernd Schneider driving his Mercedes-Benz CLK-DTM to the drivers' championship crown and AMG taking the team title.
• 2002: Bernd Schneider is runner-up for the DTM Championship.
• 2003: Bernd Schneider again clinches the DTM Driver's Championship.
Check out more photos and details on this incredible CLK-GTR roadster at Elite Autos, http://eliteautosllc.com/vehicle/mercedes-clk-gtr-roadster/
For more information about the CLK-GTR program, please visit
http://www.supercars.net/cars/2173.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_CLK_GTR
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