1997 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR

In the 1997 season, Mercedes-Benz in cooperation with AMG entered GT racing and competed in the FIA GT championship. The CLK-GTR developed for this purpose was the first production racing car from Mercedes-Benz with a mid-engine. Externally the vehicle was inspired by the CLK Coupé of the C 208 series, but it featured advanced racing technology and its V12 engine developed around 441 kW (600 hp) with a displacement of six litres. Bernd Schneider won the driver’s title of the 1997 FIA GT Championship in the CLK-GTR, while the brand championship went to AMG-Mercedes.

In Detail

submitted by	Richard Owen
type	Series Production Car
built at	Affalterbach, Germany
engine	V12
valvetrain	DOHC 4 Valves / Cyl
displacement	6898 cc / 420.9 in³
bore	89.0 mm / 3.5 in
stroke	92.4 mm / 3.64 in
compression	10.5:1
power	456.4 kw / 612.0 bhp @ 6800 rpm
specific output	88.72 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	396.12 bhp per tonne
torque	775 nm / 571.6 ft lbs @ 5250 rpm
redline	7800
body / frame	Carbon Fibre body over Carbon Fiber & Aluminum Honeycomb Tub Chassis
driven wheels	Mid Engine / RWD
front tires	295/35ZR18
rear tires	345/35ZR18
front brakes	Vented Carbon Fibre Discs
rear brakes	Vented Carbon Fibre Discs
front wheels	F 45.7 x 55.9 cm / 18.0 x 22.0 in
rear wheels	R 45.7 x 66.0 cm / 18.0 x 26.0 in
steering	Rack & Pinion w/Power Assist
curb weight	1545 kg / 3406 lbs
wheelbase	2670 mm / 105.1 in
front track	1600 mm / 63.0 in
rear track	1600 mm / 63.0 in
length	4855 mm / 191.1 in
width	1950 mm / 76.8 in
height	1164 mm / 45.8 in
transmission	6-Speed Manual
gear ratios	2.71:1, 2.20:1, 1.80:1, 1.52:1, 1.33:1, 1.18:1
final drive	2.88:1
top speed	~307.4 kph / 191.0 mph
0 – 60 mph	~3.4 seconds
0 – 100 mph	~5.7 seconds
0 – 1/4 mile	~9.4 seconds
drag	25 Cd