Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM AMG (2005)

In 2004, to celebrate its involvement in the DTM Championship and specifically the CLK driven by Bernd Schneider to win the 2003 Championship, Mercedes-Benz sanctioned an exclusive production of just 100 units of The CLK DTM Coupe, only 40 of which were made in right-hand drive. Despite such a short production run, all 100 units were sold out immediately, with notable owners including Formula 1 drivers Jenson Button and Takuma Sato.

Mercedes-Benz's official performance division, AMG, developed the DTM based on the platform of the second generation C209 CLK, considered to be one of the most successful sports cars to participate in the DTM Championship. Not limited by the regulations of its racing counterpart, the road version came with a supercharged 5.4-litre engine producing a staggering 582 horsepower, and 504 ft/lb of torque; accelerating the car to supercar-rivalling 0 - 60 in just 3.9 seconds and as top speed of 199 mph.

A five-speed semi-automatic "AMG Speedshift" transmission is controlled by the DTM inspired paddle shift ahead of the steering wheel. The suspension was managed with height adjustable units with the rear suspension being fully re-designed and owing little to that of a standard road-going CLK. Larger brakes with ceramic discs were used to decelerate the car from its blistering speeds. A bespoke Electronic Stability Programme was installed as well as a mechanical limited-slip differential to allow all 582 horsepower to be taken advantage of.

Like the race car, the DTM makes liberal use of carbon fibre for its body panels with its prominently flared wheel arches, boot mounted rear wing and deep front splitter. The interior trimmed to Mercedes-Benz highest standards was also put on the strictest weight-reduction programme; whilst the interior was using lightweight Alcantara trimmed bucket seats and Carbon Fibre for much of the interior fittings.

Much like its DTM counterparts, the cars were completed with HWA Motorsport; having previously worked with Mercedes to design and build the fabled CLK GTR road variants.