Click on
each image below...
|
1999
Mercedes-Benz CLR Specifications
| Designer: | Gerhard Ungar |
| Layout: |
Mid-engine,
rear-wheel drive |
| Monocoque: |
Carbon fiber and aluminum
honeycomb monocoque with integrated carbon fiber roll-over cage |
| Engine: |
5721
cc V8 (GT 108 C), 2-valves/cylinder, DOHC, mid-engine,
load-bearing, two air restrictors, dry sump lubrication
system, electronically controlled
ignition
and injection system (Bosch Motronic). |
| Gearbox: |
X-Trac,
unsynchronised, straight toothed six-speed gearbox with magnesium
casing,
sequential manual gearshift |
| Steering: |
Rack-and-pinion
power steering, steering wheel with airbag |
| Suspension: |
F: Upper and lower A-arms, pushrod activation of the spring/damper, attached directly to monocoque
R: Upper and lower A-arms, pushrod activation of the spring/damper, attached directly to gearbox casing
|
| Brakes: |
Dual
circuit brake system with tandem master brake cylinder, six-piston
aluminum
fixed calipers, internally ventilated brake discs and carbon brake
linings. |
| Wheels: |
18"
diameter undivided magnesium wheels |
| Tires: |
Bridgestone
Potenza; maximum permissible tire width: 14"; maximum permissible tire
diameter: 28" |
| Length: |
4893
mm |
| Width: |
1999
mm |
| Height: |
1012 mm |
| Wheelbase: |
2670
mm |
| Front Overhang: |
1090
mm |
| Rear Overhang: |
1140
mm |
| Weight: |
921
kgs (1999 Le Mans average) |
| Tank capacity: |
90
liters |
|
The
1999 CLR design wasn't particularly innovative. But Mercedes
showed
up at Le Mans with a car they felt should
win. Thirty thousand kilometers had been spent testing, nothing had been left to
chance.
But it soon became clear that both BMW and Toyota had equipment the
equal,
if not simply superior, so too the upstart Panoz. Ultimately though, the CLR is
noteworthy
for one thing in particular, the very public, and very dramatic,
aerodynamic
induced back flips that it underwent on three separate occasions at Le
Mans in 1999.