| 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), mid-engine, load-bearing, air intake through air scoop
on the roof, two air restrictors, water cooler lateral to the engine, cooled
air intake lateral to the windscreen and air ducting through ducts fitted
in the doors, 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:
Double wishbones with push rod activation of the spring and shock absorber
suspension units, attached directly to monocoque with pick-ups.
R:
Double wishbones with push rod activation of the spring and shock absorber
suspension units, attached directly to gearbox casing with pick-ups. |
| 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. Tens of thousands
of miles 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. 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.
