Anyone who knew anything about performance cars had to know that Mercedes success with their racing version of the
Mercedes-Benz CLK, in the 2003 season, and particularly when their resident driver Bernd Schneider won outright victory for them in the 2003 German Touring Car Masters would lead to the production of a limited edition version of the car. And how right they were with the introduction of the
Mercedes Benz CLK DTM AMG the following year. Only 100 editions of this car were ever produced and delivered with great excitement in Autumn of 2004, with the GmbH division of the company being responsible for all aspects of marketing, sales as well as service activities for the CLK DTM AMG which provided all the positive aspects associated with a Mercedes, combined with performance that would do justice to the most high powered sports car.
The two-door exterior of the CLK DTM AMG does little to hide Mercedes Benz's aspiration to produce a high performances saloon car. The racing pedigree of the CLK DTM AMG is widely evidenced in its front apron which is very low slung, with super large cooling aprons, fender flarings which are more than striking, and the rear section which has a diffuser look to it. All of these feature and more make the CLK DTM AMG a real eye catcher, emanating power and authority throughout its entire design. The body components of the CLK DTM AMG Have been largely produced in carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) an exceptionally lightweight yet high strength material.
The interior of the CLK DTM AMG carries on the ambience of racing, with none of its starkness. Suede and leather are predominant in the trim with the AMG driver and passenger bucket seats produced from CFRP particularly outstanding, complemented by the oval shaped suede covered racing steering wheel. Instrument clusters are in the AMG mold also. The center console is a bit of a show stopper proudly displaying a range eye-catching features, among them the a selector lever surround colored in silver, as well as the typical Mercedes starter button, along with four auxiliary function rocker switches. Just in case the driver would be liable to forget that they were in a limited edition version, the interior is rounded of by a
Mercedes Benz CLK DTM AMG badge bearing the vehicle’s edition number.
The CLK DTM AMG’s engine has been revised from the AMG supercharged eight-cylinder engine which Mercedes buffs will know from the from the SL 55AMG. Modifications to this engine begin in the crank-case and continue to the pistons, intake duct, cooling system, supercharger, valve train, and complete their journey at the exhaust system.
Capable of developing 428 kW/582 hp at 6100 revolutions per minute, the CLK DTM AMG boasts an AMG 5.5-litre V8 supercharged engine. This Mercedes thoroughbred will accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in a breathtaking 3.9 seconds, and will reach a maximum speed of 190 miles per hour (320 km/h) which is electronically governed.
Power from the engine to the wheels is through an AMG five-speed automatic transmission. Gear changing is carried out through steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles, with amazingly short shift times.
From experience gained on the race track, Mercedes engineers fitted height-adjustable spring and shock absorber units with adjustable coil springs are standards in the road version of the car, as well as redesigning the CLK DTM AMG’s rear axle to allow the inclusion of new spring links and hub carriers, along with reinforced drive shafts.
The CLK DTM AMG will come to an immediate stop thanks to a high performance AMG composite braking system. At the front sit six-piston fixed calipers with four-piston fixed calipers taking up the rear.
To complete the picture the CLK DTM AMG is fitted with attractive double spoke 19 and 20-inch AMG light-alloy wheels as standards. If anyone wished to continue the racing car theme, Dunlop tyres (225/35 R 19 at the front and 285/30 R 20 at the rear) were available to provide unrivalled road holding.
All in all the 2004
Mercedes Benz CLK DTM AMG was designed and produced to provide and combine race car performance with the luxury and solidity that Mercedes provide so well.
Images were reprinted with permissions from original author Chris Ostberg! Content was written by Albert Hecht for www.sport-cars.org only and you MAY NOT copy, distribute or use this page's content for any commercial or non-commerical purpose without written permission of this site owner and photos authors!
March 27, 2008, 9:59 am
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