Makes › Mercedes-Benz › CLR · Coachbuilt · 1999 Ultra Rare
Mercedes-Benz
CLR
Mercedes-Benz's 1999 Le Mans GT prototype, run as three works cars (numbers 4, 5 and 6) before aerodynamic take-offs ended the programme.
Still being researched: identification guide. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Photo: Marc Oliver John from Wachtberg, Deutschland · CC BY 2.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 3 Built
- Years
- 1999
- Engine
- 90-degree V8, mid/rear-mounted, naturally aspirated · 5,721 cc / 5.7 LFactory: 5,721 cc
- Power
- 447 kW / 608 PSFactory: 600 hp · converted
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Gerhardt Ungar (listed as designer of chassis and bodywork)
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The CLR was Mercedes-Benz's purpose-built Le Mans GT prototype of 1999, a carbon-monocoque V8 car only about one metre high. It is best known for its aerodynamic instability: three take-offs at Le Mans ended Mercedes' participation in the race.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
Photos
Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.
Mercedes-Benz CLR (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Marc Oliver John from Wachtberg, Deutschland · CC BY 2.0
Mercedes-Benz CLR (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Marc Oliver John from Wachtberg, Deutschland · CC BY 2.0
Mercedes-Benz CLR (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Martin Lee from London, UK · CC BY-SA 2.0
_exits_Dunlop_Chicane_at_the_1999_Le_Mans_(51913539313).jpg){kind=link}
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productionCLR sports prototypes run by the works team at the 1999 Le Mans 24 Hours (cars 4, 5 and 6) | 31 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
Work on design and construction began in September 1998. The car was based on the CLK-LM of the previous year and was presented at Hockenheim on 20 April 1999, with three cars entered for Le Mans. Testing included a 30-hour run of more than 5,000 km at Magny-Cours.
Mark Webber's car became airborne in qualifying and again in the Saturday warm-up. In the race Peter Dumbreck's car flipped on lap 75, and Mercedes withdrew the remaining car. The organiser later stated that the CLR's front and rear overhangs were too long for its wheelbase and changed the regulations for 2000.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard CLR.
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Mercedes-Benz GT 108 C2 Registry reported |
| Layout | 90-degree V8, mid/rear-mounted, naturally aspirated2,3 Registry reported |
| Displacement | 5,721 cc / 5.7 LFactory: 5,721 cc2 Registry reported |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Bosch Motronic electronic injection2 Registry reported |
| Power | 447 kW / 608 PSFactory: 600 hp · converted3 |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz / X-Trac4 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 6-speed sequential, transverse Mercedes/X-Trac gearbox, carbon multi-plate clutch2 Registry reported |
| Gears | 64 Independently researched |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | carbon/honeycomb monocoque2 Registry reported |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | double wishbone, pushrod, Penske spring-damper units2 Registry reported |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | AP 6-piston calipers, Hitco carbon discs2 Registry reported |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Carbon4 Independently researched |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mmFactory: 2,670 mm2 Registry reported |
| Length | 4,893 mmFactory: 4,893 mm2 Registry reported |
| Width | 1,999 mmFactory: 1,999 mm2 Registry reported |
| Height | 1,012 mmFactory: 1,012 mm2,3 Registry reported |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | 900 kgFactory: 900 kg3 |
Performance
| Maximum speed | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | 90 LFactory: 90 L2 Registry reported |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
Mercedes CLR for Le Mans presented (Mercedes-Benz press, April 1999) Level A
- 3 CLR sports prototypes run by the works team at the 1999 Le Mans 24 Hours (cars 4, 5 and 6)
-
2
Fiche Voiture - Mercedes CLR No. 4 Level B Automobile Club de l'Ouest
- Moteur : Mercedes-Benz GT 108 C
- V8 à 90°, Position centrale arrière
- Cylindrée / cc : 5721cc
- Injection électronique Bosh Motronic
- 6 vitesses à commande séquentielle au volant
- Monocoque carbone / nid d'abeille
- Double triangle et poussoir ... Penske
- Etriers AP 6 pistons, disques en carbone Hitco
- Empattement : 2670 mm
- Longueur : 4893 mm
- Largeur : 1999 mm
- Hauteur : 1012 mm
- Réservoir : 90 litres
-
3
Mercedes CLR for Le Mans presented Level A DaimlerChrysler / Mercedes-Benz
- six-litre V8 normally aspirated engine
- power unit of more than 600 hp
- with 1,012 mm
- The weight of 900 kg complies with the weight limit
-
4
24 Heures du Mans Autos 1999 - Fiche Voiture - Mercedes CLR n° 4 Level C ACO / 24 Heures du Mans
- Mercedes / X-Trac
- 6 vitesses
- Carbone
Keep exploring
More from Mercedes-Benz
-
Mercedes-Benz · 1980
230 G Popemobile (W 460)
1 Built
-
Mercedes-Benz · 1938
540 K Stromlinienwagen (Streamliner)
1 Built
-
Mercedes-Benz · 1932
770 (W 07) Cabriolet F of Kaiser Wilhelm II
1 Built
-
Mercedes-Benz · 1991
C 112
1 Built
See all 212 cars by Mercedes-Benz →
More from Germany
-
BMW
Z4 M Coupé (E86) (2006-2008)
Production not yet verified
-
Porsche
964 Turbo 3.6
Production not yet verified
-
Maybach
W5 (SG)
Production not yet verified
-
smart
#3 Keith Haring Edition
Production not yet verified
71 other makes from Germany9ffAC SchnitzerAdlerAgria-WerkeAlbertAlpinaAMOAmphicarApolloArtegaAudiAuto UnionAutomobili PininfarinaBayerische AutowerkeBitterBMWBohseBoldmenBorgwardBovensiepenBrennaborBrütschChampionDauerDKWFMR (Messerschmitt)FuldamobilGemballaGepardGlasGoggomobilGoliathGumpertGutbrodHanomagHeinkelHorchHyundaiIFAIrmscherAll makes →