The world of Mercedes-AMG is synonymous with high-performance and exclusivity, but even within this rarefied realm, certain models stand out as truly exceptional. Among these automotive unicorns is the Clk Amg Mercedes CLK DTM AMG P900 prototype, a vehicle so rare that only two examples are believed to exist today. This isn’t just another AMG; it’s a crucial piece of Mercedes-AMG history, a rolling testament to their engineering prowess and racing pedigree.
To truly appreciate the significance of the CLK DTM AMG P900, we need to rewind to the early 2000s. AMG, the performance division of Mercedes-Benz, was on a roll, unleashing a series of increasingly potent machines. Following the success of the CL, SL, and S 65 AMG, and the SL and E 55 AMG, they pushed the boundaries further with the CLK DTM AMG. This model was born from Mercedes-AMG’s dominant performance in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) championship. In 2002 and 2003, AMG-Mercedes was the team to beat, culminating in Bernd Schneider’s 2003 DTM driver’s title. AMG-Mercedes’s dominance was so complete that they won an astonishing 9 out of 10 races in the 2003 season! This unparalleled success ignited the idea of creating a road-going version of their championship-winning DTM race car.
Enthusiasm for this project was immediate and widespread within AMG. Official drivers clocked over 30,000 km in testing, both on public roads and race circuits, to fine-tune this new silver arrow. The result was the Mercedes CLK DTM AMG, a limited-edition, numbered series that became an instant collector’s item. Initially priced at a substantial €243,386 in November 2004 (equivalent to approximately €331,300 in 2024), only 100 coupes were produced, followed by 80 cabriolet versions.
The Secret Behind the Legend: The CLK DTM AMG P900 Prototypes
While the production CLK DTM AMG is already an icon, AMG secretly crafted four even more exclusive CLK AMG Coupé variants, known internally as CLK DTM AMG P900. Of these four, only two are believed to survive today, making them incredibly rare. These prototypes served a vital purpose: they were testbeds for an entirely new engine. The standard CLK DTM AMG models were equipped with the formidable 5.5-litre supercharged V8 (M113 K), delivering a staggering 582 horsepower and 800 Nm of torque. However, the CLK DTM AMG P900 prototypes broke away from this, pioneering the naturally aspirated V8 engine, designated M156.
This all-alloy powerplant, displacing a massive 6,208 cm3 yet weighing a mere 199 kg, was a marvel of engineering. Featuring four camshafts with variable valve timing and 32 valves, it generated around 510 horsepower and 630 Nm of torque in its initial prototype form. This engine, marketed as a “6.3-litre” in homage to the legendary M100 engine from the 300 SE 6.3, debuted in the spring of 2006 under the hood of the E63 AMG, before becoming a staple across almost the entire AMG range. The CLK DTM AMG P900 was, therefore, the unsung hero, the development mule that paved the way for one of AMG’s most celebrated engines.
Alt text: Close-up of the Mercedes-Benz M156 6.2-liter V8 engine, showcasing its performance engineering and design.
Assembled entirely by hand in 2005, this particular CLK DTM P900 prototype, chassis number WDB2093751F002397, served as a crucial development platform for the 6.2 V8 M156 engine – AMG’s first fully in-house designed engine. It wasn’t just a static testbed; this P900 was an active participant in the engine’s development, used as a test car and a high-speed demonstration vehicle for AMG’s VIP clientele. Imagine being a VIP guest of AMG, being driven around a race circuit to experience the raw power of this brand-new 6.2-litre V8 firsthand! AMG factory drivers of the era, including racing legends like Jean Alesi, Jamie Green, and Bernd Schneider, piloted this very car, chauffeuring VIPs around European circuits, offering an unforgettable taste of AMG performance. Furthermore, this prototype even graced the pages of renowned automotive publications like the UK’s own Evo magazine, offering journalists an early glimpse into AMG’s future.
DTM Racing DNA: Design and Features of the P900
Visually, the CLK DTM AMG P900 prototype takes the already aggressive styling of the production CLK DTM AMG and amplifies it. It bears an even stronger resemblance to the actual DTM race car, especially when you consider elements like the imposing rear spoiler, the lightweight Lexan windows, and the carbon fibre doors. Compared to the production CLK DTM AMG, the P900 also features generously vented front wings, smaller, DTM-style side mirrors, carbon fibre front canards, and a unique AMG livery that further sets it apart.
Stepping inside, the racing inspiration is even more apparent. The interior is stripped down and purposeful, featuring fire-retardant fabric bucket seats, racing harnesses, a full roll cage, an Alcantara-clad dashboard, a digital racing instrument cluster, and a bespoke steering wheel designed for performance driving. Despite its racing focus, the P900 was meticulously constructed, based on a standard CLK 500 Avantgarde. AMG insisted on impeccable build quality, befitting a vehicle intended for presentation to VIP clients. While based on a production car chassis, the P900 feels more akin to a CLK DTM race car that has been expertly enhanced by AMG, embodying the very essence of DTM racing technology. Its construction evokes the spirit of the legendary DTM cars of the 1980s and 1990s.
Alt text: The AMG-Mercedes CLK-DTM race car from 2003, illustrating the racing heritage and design inspiration behind the CLK DTM AMG P900 prototype.
A Unique Piece of Automotive History
This particular CLK DTM P900 prototype remained within AMG’s ownership in Germany for several years, serving as a display piece at various events and within their facilities. The second P900 prototype is reportedly still held by AMG in the USA. Neither car was ever officially offered for sale to the public initially. However, this specific P900 eventually found its way into the hands of a significant Mercedes and AMG collector, who acquired it as part of a larger collection of racing vehicles. Although occasionally used on track, it has spent most of its time as a prized exhibit within a private collection. While sparingly used in recent years, it is reported to be in excellent running and driving condition.
This P900 represents an unparalleled opportunity to own a truly unique prototype, arguably the only one of its kind available on the market. The other surviving P900 remains in AMG’s custodianship, potentially residing in a museum in the United States, making this example exceptionally special. Having been piloted by racing legends and instrumental in the development of a landmark AMG engine, this CLK DTM AMG P900 is more than just a car; it’s a tangible piece of Mercedes-AMG history. Offered with its pre-race configuration Certificate of Conformity (COC), it is theoretically road legal, although modifications may be required for full registration in some jurisdictions. As with any vehicle of this nature, it currently lacks registration documents.
Please note that this car is subject to VAT on the hammer price.
