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8892 view(s) ![]() After a 7 year absence, Mercedes entered the 97 Le Mans 24hrs with two CLK-LM's.
Although they looked similar to the CLK GTR's it had so succesfully raced in the FIA GT sprints, the LM was in fact a brand new design which had "Endurance" written all over it.
The Gerhardt Ungar designed LM was lower and longer (low drag) and had a brand new 6 liter V8. Specially prepared by Mercedes for its 24 hrs campaign, the lighter and more compact V8 was more powerful and more economic than that of the CLK GTR.
The sad part of the CKL-LM story is that it never achieved its full potential in the race it was designed to win. Starting from the front row, the same Bernd Schneider that had snatched pole away from Toyota, had to abandon his LM in front the pits after just... 60 minutes. As the second LM retired half an hour later, AMG's 24hrs assault had lasted not even half of the usual 3hrs FIA GT sprints.
After Le Mans the CLK-LM proved what it could have done by winning all rounds of the GT championship.
CKL-LM data:
Lenght: 4900 mm, Width: 2000 mm, Wheelbase: E : 2670 mm, Tyres: Bridgestone, Wheels: OZ
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Models for Mercedes CLK-LM
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| Manufacturer |
Model |
Scale |
Dimensions (LxWxH) |
Wheelbase |
Front spur |
Rear spur |
| Sakatsu |
LM 98 |
1/24 |
99.9x85.0x45.0 |
99.9 |
80.0 |
83.0 |
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Liveries