When you think about supercars from the early 2000’s you most likely think of iconic cars such as a Ferrari Enzo, Porsche Carrera GT, Ford GT and Bugatti Veyron. Each one expensive, each one frighteningly fast, and will turn heads wherever it goes. However, there’s another car from the period that can’t be lost to history. Only 100 cars were ever built, making it one of the most rare cars ever built by Mercedes. Meet the Mercedes-Benz CLK AMG DTM.
Meet the Mercedes-Benz CLK AMG DTM
Born from the inspiration of the Mercedes CLK that won consecutive German Touring Car Masters championships (DTM) from 2000-2003, the Mercedes-Benz CLK AMG DTM represents the street-legal version of the race car driven by Bernd Schneider. Mercedes handed off production of the car to HWA, who ran the Mercedes Racing Team. The car was first offered to exclusive buyers in 2004/2005. The car was for the European market only and was not originally for sale in United States, making the one pictured here one of only a handful that have been imported to the country. The production of 100 cars was split to 40 right-hand drive and 60 left-hand drive.
The limited edition car is far from the standard the CLK. A wider body fitted with large wheel arches and custom 3 piece wheels are an exclusive look to the car. Not going for your typical Mercedes luxury, the rear sears were stripped out, and your typical front seats removed and replaced with carbon fiber bucket seats fitted with 6-point harness seatbelts. The harness seatbelts being one of the reasons the car was unable to be sold new in the United States. Alcantara is used on the steering wheel, center console and dashboard; another unique feature only for the CLK AMG DTM.
Mercedes-Benz CLK AMG DTM Performance
Mercedes and HWA were not playing around when it came to performance for the CLK AMG DTM. Under the hood sits a 5.5 liter supercharged V8 good enough for 575 horsepower and 590 ft./lbs. of torque. Absolute monstrous numbers for 2005. For weight trimming and performance enhancements, the majority of the body panels are made of carbon fiber. Weighing only 3,854 pounds, the CLK AMG DTM will do zero-to-60 miles per hour in just 3.9 seconds and has a limited top speed of 200.
The supercharged V8 comes from the E55 and SL55 Mercedes but was heavily modified by HWA for better performance. Modifications include a higher revving twin-scroll supercharger, forged pistons, reinforced crankcase and an ECU tune. The suspension system also received a complete overhaul by HWA. It includes race-spec adjustable coilovers and widened front and rear axels for better handling. The limited slip differential system also received its own separate cooling system. Stopping power is provided by AMG Performance composite brakes.
Buying a Mercedes-Benz CLK AMG DTM
Limited production usually means big money, and it holds true again for the CLK AMG DTM. In 2005, the car had a price of $287,000 and Mercedes had to invite you to have the opportunity to purchase the car. Adjusted for inflation, the MSRP would equate to just under half-a-million dollars in 2024. Today, 20 years after production, the CLK AMG DTM has become a valuable collectible. The most recent sale was at RM Sotheby’s auction in August of 2024 where a low-mile CLK AMG DTM sold for $665,000.
