The most expensive serial car in the world, despite the status of the “road” ambulance, in a reality simply sweeps aside idea to sweep on it on roads shareware. First, its uncompromising racing concept still protests against “civil” exploitation, and secondly, about 1,5 million dollars for one of 25 copies existing in the world - the severe longtime investment! Almost all owners of these treasures if pass some hundreds kilometres a year it is exclusive on the private enclosed trasses. And nevertheless the whole two days of thousand drivers could contemplate CLK-GTR which one absolutely democratically, as they say, in accordance with general practice was the participant of traffic. Some hundreds kilometres in a traffic flow on this car - the present exclusive, after all all rare reportings about СLK-GTR in its debut have been grounded precisely on impressions of several circles on a racing collar and no more that. That is any “the road test” this ambulance in the world to this day it was not conducted! But the request on world exclusive is reinforced by one more major fact. It is possible to call our test car as whim of some richest collectors of the world. The matter is that two from 25 holders CLK-GTR have considered the “baseline” version of the ambulance with 6,9-litre motor V12 (same, as well as at others, that is already almost mass) if want, “consumer goods”. Therefore specially for these individualists who have paid in addition still on 250 thousand dollars, the producer has created the top version known under title Supersport. Outwardly it differs nothing from “baseline”, but has a modifed motor. We will resemble, that on CLK-GTR the unit of former breed favourite by experts V12 of “six-100-th” (W140) is used. The volume of the advanced drive is finished to greatest possible - 7,3 l! Power has increased about “frivolous” 612 h.p. to 710 h.p. And the twisting moment reaches almost 800 Nanometers, and it despite losss of power because of installation of the accelerant and full-scale sound suppression mufflers. Customers, the truth, demanded, that a volume have finished to any circular digit - “at least” to 8, and even to 9 l, and engineers had to explain, that í«льшего with this unit to make it is physically impossible. “Differently buckets will be abutted with each other!” - Summarised. Yes, controversies about an undercapacity and exclusive at such transcendental level and that and another give hypocrisy. But such are clients, and after all their unrestrained rushing to “most-most” stimulates occurrence of outstanding cars… So our test of one of two CLK-GTR 7.3 Supersport really unique and unique!Briefly we will resemble, that road version CLK-GTR exciting imagination has been created for omologation racing “primogenitor” - the sport prototype of category GT1 breaking records on trasses of then World championship FIA-GT with the same name. In the end of 1996 bosses Mercedes have decided what to assign this category to competitors BMW and Porsche unreasonably and it is necessary to contrast them McLaren F1 and 911 GT1 “monsters”! Racing division AMG in the conditions of the present work involving all hands of all for 128 days from a blank leaf had been designed and constructed a sport prototype and to this day it is difficult to them to discover the competitor on an extent of technical and aesthetic perfection! Under the insisting of experts in marketing the racing car which did not have resolutely anything common with serial Mercedes (except the unit of motor V12), should work on image of a mass coupe of mark - rather retiring CLK which one during that moment only prepared for a debut in the market. For this reason at the title of the most heavy-lift Mercedes there are “CLK characters, also”masquerade”therefore has been arranged: the”fighting”bolid of category GT1 was decorated with the most typical members of serial CLK - headlights, a lining of a heat sink and tail lights… Unexpected debut CLK-GTR in the World championship in 1997 has thrown into two principal contenders confusion. Even despite some “undercook” ambulances, an impetuous head of “Argentine booms” neither McLaren F1, nor Porsche 911 GT1 to discontinue have not managed. After all CLK-GTR has been created out of frameworks and compromises of any serial model, he/she is really extremal racing “monster” though “relationship” from coupe CLK looked funny! And McLaren BMW and Porsche have been forced to be repelled from realities of already existing base. At last, the budget of command Mercedes in championship FIA-GT was comparable to annual consumptions of the company on… The program in F-1, then also brought allout success. The superiority “Argentine booms” in 1997 so demoralised contenders, that they have preferred to retire - Mercedes has established a bar at an inaccessible altitude. So in a season of 1998 CLK-GTR Has won at all ten stages of superiority of the world, thereby having led to death of the championship as already anybody any more did not see sense in it to appear… On a ridge of this glory Germans have started sale of those of 25 copies CLK-GTR which one have been made by two years earlier for registration in FIA and waited the fate in the disassembled state. And then the world has seen, Germans are capable of what fantastic acts! Instead of selling to collectors the applicable quantity “rejuvanate” CLK-GTR, formally having filed their “road”, Mercedes has tried to make of them the “civil” car! Considerable means have been chosen to hold huge activity for омологации ambulances by all standard rules envisioned for the ordinary serial car, engaging both the kresh-test, and exhaust and noisiness norms… As a whole, if to come from essence of the most racing CLK-GTR as “particular mission weapon”, the invention uniquely was attempt to mate the incompatible. And the most authoritative collectors spoke: “I with pleasure will put up money in one of the most beautiful racing bolids with nice for” a family tree ”, but it is not necessary to do from CLK-GTR a substitute, it is not necessary to spoil its charisma waste attempts“ to cultivate a wild animal ”!” But for Stuttgart the project road CLK-GTR was principal: the attack of notorious “political correctness” Mercedes which one has had аккурат for this period, dictated this solution. “We will show to all world, that our victorious racing ambulances are absolutely adapted for daily use!” - has decided the top management. And cost intensive process of “making-up” has begun. In an ambulance cockpit about which one pilots said, that it “narrow as a bottle neck”, began to establish the “alien” equipment: the air conditioner and electrowindow regulators, a stereosystem and tens kilogrammes of sound insulation. It is more than that, here there were even two cushions of safety! Installation on a super-power superkar of effective ABS and antibutulinic systems ASR became the present headache. To all to it the place was, but here the trouble - was not possible to arrange seats in any way. The cab of a racing sport prototype was so narrow, that two seats here did not find room. But also here have found a way out: in a cab road CLK-GTR seats simply are not present, instead of them in structural recesses carboxylic a monocoque plastic cushions with the leather lining, resembling seats thanks to high side walls place. As these car very scanty (their backs hardly reach to passengers shoulders), execute a role of head-rests two circular cushions snapped directly on a partition of a motor compartment. In these “foundation ditches” of passengers keep the real racing six-dot seat belts. But if such “lux-samodelshchina” it is called by necessity, interior registration - a frank whim of experts in marketing. The present shock at aesthetes was called by universal application in furnish of an interior of ingredients of interior of the serial coupe CLK time and again criticised for is invalid cheap materials. Instead of appropriate under the status to “the king of superkars” hi-tech carboxylic furnish and authentic “racing” modern gears in interior CLK-GTR you are met by poor push buttons and toggles, air vents and a dashboard together with simple pieces of a front panel is has removed from interior mass CLK! In the centre of the modified desk of gears the grandiose speedometer, but components all the same the mass is disposed. Even a control surface and that from the serial ambulance! As it is oppressed in the car which one time in tens is more expensive, than even with most expensive serial “namesake” CLK! Here that happens, when rationalism of experts in marketing interferes with high automobile art. Besides “decorate” a sport prototype, naturally, has poured out in the outfit mass of 1500 kg, therefore CLK-GTR, remaining super-power and superfast, simply could not attempt upon statistical records of easier contenders-SUPERCKARS any more… Fortunately, exterior transformations of a body of road version have appeared extremely successful. Rude and sometimes primitive car details of racing model have given way to delightful accents from the aesthetic point of view, having futuristic tint. That there is one only an imposing rear rear wing or a heavy-lift front bumper with a spoiler and terrible black “precipice” of an air intake! From the moment of design creation has gone on seven years, but also now automobile fans unanimously consider CLK-GTR some kind of the measurement standard of style of superkars, a point of reference - so, in their opinion, the true quoter of this category should look! “For me road CLK-GTR still the most beautiful car in the world, - is spoken by our editorial pilot-verifier Deni of Moraines. - now, preparing for the test, I feel so as if I prepare in any invaluable bowl from the Egyptian museum, having thousand-year history, to weld up soup from a bag!” Holders of this ambulance, whatever untold wealth they possessed, too cannot cross a threshold separating vain from the ennobled. And CLK-GTR concerns to this last category, and at all because of the astronomical price, and because of the “fatal carnival ”. The shape of the car acts hypnotistic even on ignorant gapers what to speak about experts! It is enough to look on карбоновые desks of aerodynamic panels and a monocoque, members of a racing suspender push-rod and motor registration that it became obvious: on a class and cost of “know-how” at CLK-GTR is not present equal among the cars, having the right to be roamed on roads shareware. Even modern bolid Ф-1 can be displayed on its background simplified as its construction wholly is dictated by functionality reasons. The same car - the present subject of a cult of the engineering, here each component it is designed not so much proceeding from logic reasons, how many by a principle “that it was impossible to make already” more expensively and more absolutely! Even carelessly on the price at only one thought on a capability of a tresspass to it to “a mechanical deity” you are horrified. To It on speedometer CLK-GTR less than 3000 km. Deni Moraines is intended to increase this digit approximately at 10 % - the present blasphemy!“Except the maiden place in my agenda of the most beautiful cars CLK-GTR earns one more”poll-position”: it is the car at which one the most difficult access to interior, - marks at once Moraines (and it is spoken by the racer, for twenty years got used to superclose cockpits of similar sport prototypes!) . - In “fighting” ambulanses all is much easier. There you dive into the seat established in the middle of a cab which one besides is disposed considerably above, and you do not think at all of parallax purity in interior or safety of a lining. In road version CLK-GTR initial specificity of racing layout is aggravated because of “transferring to peace rails”. I any more do not say what to be picked up in the ambulance it is possible only feet forward: Having overcome enormous side buoyant tanks and being held down for a roof edge, it is necessary to push feet under a control surface and to “drag” itself through a narrow doorway! At last, a final stage of it of “a circus trick”: it is necessary to dent really a body into a mesh playing a role of a seat, and then, having contrived to clasp on a stomach all parts of a racing belt. Certainly, simultaneously with the passenger to make it it is impossible, only by turns… Having taken seat together, it appear with the passenger literally shoulder to shoulder even if the right hand lays on a control surface. It is the closest interior in the world! And useless members of furnish from serial CLK only underscore a precipice between a superkar and a mass coupe - at level of shoulders cockpit CLK-GTR is extremely narrow. Thank God, that the central lever of a gear box is not present in general - only the korotysh-selector engaging a backing. Drives are toggled by aluminium levers on a control surface as on the racing version, they are simply ideal, not a couple to any look-alike solutions on the serial models. Here only they are mounted on a huge control surface mass Mercedes with a safety cushion in the centre. In general this racing sport prototype converted into a road superkar, resembles the fighter-heavyweight who has tightened on starched ballet pack, and in interior it specially is evident ”. But the maiden minutes of driving testify, that the fighter and in the dress of the ballerina - all the same the fighter! Hoarse groan of a motor, switching in not synchronised box, tracked by a clunking, chattering carboxylic desks - all it gives at once participation of the ambulance in a clan “subjugators of Le Mans”. The treadle of five-disk racing clutch works as the cutout switch “on/off”, a clutch slip zero, it is just necessary to get used to “an actuation dot” - on such car there can not be other solution. Even for the speed noise and chatterings in interior cause to forget of 60 kphs about such concept, as comfort. The air conditioner working to the full extent not in a state to cope with a heat, after all large heat exchangers-radiators in front burn, and behind works V12. And in street hardly 15°C! And only the steering booster introduces a discord to this racing atmosphere - driving in a city does not demand any efforts. Passenger mirrors are not present, but large “burdocks” of exterior mirrors on front fenders ensure good rearward view. Before us a deserted country straight line, a path to boost it is opened. But in the beginning it is necessary to validate, whether the system will hinder antibutulinic. Some small sharp clickings a “gas” treadle display, that as we and expected, it is purely racing PBS. It only helps to diminish a slipping a little and together with the self-locked up rear differential tries to support stability of a rear axle, but strongly to “smother” the drive and intensively to slow down, as on passenger ambulances, it does not prepare. So, all is ready, and the combustion-mixture gets the max access to V12. Immediately the cab is filled up with cacophony of noise as if the ten electric drills has at once earned. Large sound suppression mufflers create obstacles to noise outside (it is necessary for omologation for road model!) But was gentle protect those who is inside. Seconds for which one the arrow of a tachometre jumps up to 7000 rpm, seem the present trial in the acoustic camera. Squeal and a roar are so strong, what even infernal chattering ceases to sidetrack. Though actually jolting such, that the desk of gears during these moments you see, as if in a diffusion photograph! Thank God, road ahead clearly it is visible, and now this main thing. After all Moraines has just clicked on a lever “+” on a control surface. With a terrible clunking IV drive was engaged, and the arrow of a speedometer has immediately departed up from a mark “200”. You feels, of course, interest at speedup and comparison with accelerating overloads on other superpenalties? Ungrateful this occupation! After all the newest super-power models like Pagani Zonda, Ferrari Enzo Ferrari or Koenigsegg C8 - the ambulances initially forming for road use, and, accordingly, at them very “humane” ratio to nervous receptors of passengers. It allows you, each time achieving accelerating overloads, to receive enjoying. And CLK-GTR is “the artillery battery”, here again a deafening roar and chaterings simply demoralise, darkening all positive feels from speedup, and enormous splash in power does not leave time on last boost. Though, of course, Mercedes ensures to the pilot the strongest overloads, inconsiderately pressing in a body in these inconvenient, angular pseudo-seats at full “gas” on three bottom gears. But it already, so to say, by-effects on which one the situation simply does not allow to be massed, are here again much more actual death grip on a control surface and mad instinctive taxiings. After all this “monster” does not prepare to save stability of a course at boost, and even sharp actuation of IV drive instigates both shafts. On superpenalties of a new surge the similar phenomena - harmless game, juicy ingredients of a tasty dish. On CLK-GTR all seriously: hardly you will upset “rules of call with an ammunition”, and you have only yourself to blame. Besides the acute steering is subordinated to foolish “bus” “rim”! It to substitute a small racing control surface! Having dumped speed to 150 kphs, it is possible to take breath, the it is more that on higher drives the roar in interior becomes little bit more silent, and can, to it simply get used. “It is amusing, how much this differently is perceived racing“ a cannonade “at the wheel” fighting ”a sport prototype on a trass of real rapid motion! There you protect a professional integrated helmet and heavy-lift berwyn, moreover in ear-phones commands of the manager and the engineer from cells are constantly audible. To“ a voice ”motor in the heat of arrival at all you do not pay attention. Here, in a sport prototype“ in a peace field ”, all is felt differently, noise simply deafens! - notices Moraines. - besides when I actively appeared in the World championship on sport prototypes, ambulances were equipped basically 4 or 6-cylinder turbo, which one in itself is much more silent multiliter atmospheric than” monsters ”. Well and racing 7,3-litre V12 is the present trumpet of jericho boosted by dynamics!” But this “tube” can sometimes give pleasure. For example, shock on an accelerator treadle for the speed of 120 kphs on III drive calls any more devocalization as at heavy-lift start from a place, and the heart-breaking “cry” very similar on howl air-raid warning sirens, only in these sounds is still intertwined chattering an exhaust system roar. Emotions - too much! But at the same time very quickly you realise any fatal uselessness of this ambulance on ordinary road. “ It is very easy to me to introduce, as I on CLK-GTR would print circles on a racing track somewhere in Spa or Monza, - speaks Moraines. - there and the racer-fan without effort and with the great pleasure realises all potential of the ambulance on 100 %. But in ordinary conditions… Even for exploitation of 70 % of capabilities CLK-GTR here it is necessary not only experience of the pilot-professional of the higher class, but also remarkable boldness. Yes, as racing this bolid Mercedes, certainly, an outstanding copy - perfectly balanced chassis, shocking feel of flying. But as road car CLK-GTR madly rigid in all developments, even the severe. Not so interesting! On twisting roads of domestic value intensive flying CLK-GTR at such excess of power the ambulance all the same heavy-weight for an endless train of abrupt turning movements does not supply the big pleasure in the absence of room, and. Attack to a mountain saddle-point at all from “dictionary” of this model for the width of 2 m and specially a ground clearance only 100 mm is the latest that is necessary on mountain . On an autobath already on 180 kphs it is worked out more adrenaline, than at the wheel a heavy-lift business sedan at speed under 300 kphs. Max. in 330 kphs, first, it is almost unattainable in the conditions of the common driving because the left number before you continually is taken by low speed ambulances, and secondly, it is unsafe because of far not an ideal road-holding ability. I have felt symptoms of it already on 230 kphs. And top-managers AMG recognise, that for the speed above 300 kphs the majority of such racing superkars are rather nonresistant, and CLK-GTR including, and the small irregularity can lead to full loss of contact piece to road… ”However we not begin to argue here on “flyings” of sport prototypes Mercedes in Le Mans in 1999 as formally “aerobatics” there showed not CLK-GTR, and later model CLR. But an essence of a problem the same. Though it is clear, that if on a racing line in your disposal all width of a cloth and in case of what there are still wide bands of safety along a collar on “public” to an autobath at you only a narrow left band, and on the right - a chain of passenger ambulances and auto trucks, moving with ready smaller speed… That is in ordinary road conditions “colossus” meets limitations everywhere. Therefore ambulance exploitation by those several holders which one do not hold down for years the car in barn looks absolutely normal, and reel on the CLK-GTR thousand kilometres. These enthusiasts some times in a year reserve on week-end one of collars F-1 (normally in Barcelona ) with all infrastructure, serving staff and commissioners of safety. There is it to steam of hundreds thousand euro. There there arrives crew of engineers and mechanics of racing compartment AMG with equipment mass. Road CLK-GTR the client on movable “a factory on sprockets” for a pair of hours completely retarget - substitute brakes and tyres, a control package a motor, suspender springs, sound suppression mufflers etc. the Holder disassemble receives racing bolid practically identical to a champion sport prototype, and yes dizzy circles on an autodrome are well! On Sunday evening mechanics AMG convert again CLK-GTR into a road superkar. In what a highlight? And in that for holding of such programs holders go to a collar and it is inverse the course, on ordinary motorways, overcoming at times on one and a half thousand kilometres one way! Here it is the present class, expensive and hard (long time in a close cockpit under an infernal roar of motor CLK-GTR!) an adventure. But what “conformity to the moment”, what absolute realisation of two-faced essence of model! All of us have discovered a site where the phenomenal potential of the ambulance could though somehow be realised. Near to Stuttgart there are deserted wood trasses among hills. This road fairly winds, but differentials of altitudes very small, bendings flat, and turning movements as are not present those, only “veering”. It means, that it is possible not to peel a foot from a “gas” treadle. And here here, specially on the dry asphalt, any road car on a planet, it is possible to swear, it is not capable to support at least close to it CLK-GTR 7.3 pace! “Space” dynamics is by itself, but here also the unreal feedback for any “civil” superkar with the pilot, on the limit of reasonable opportunities of the chassis the car is felt and monitored instinctively as soon as the true racing bolid can behave! “I again felt as if at the wheel a sport prototype in Le Mans. About it can tell only a vestibular apparatus: flying in turning movement with terrible speed under 250 kphs, withstanding and transmitting to me enormous side overloads, the ambulance not only perfectly holds down a pathway, but also does not prepare at all to figure something similar to roll! It is lateral stability of the present fighting oneplace bolid, at least at level F-3000! - admires Moraines. - of course, it is perfectly familiar to me on a racing line, but on roads shareware I have tested such for the first time! The effect from extremal braking also very much resembles racing sport prototypes of category GT1: this feel as if the ambulance stiffens in room, and seems, that your body now will tear mighty belts and will take off through a windshield. Instants which one it is impossible to go through on one serial sport kar! The only thing, that tightened me as the racer, it is ABS which one at braking turning point interferes with matter, confusing charts. In AMG speak, it is saving on wet cover and, probably, it is necessary for the client-layman, but for the pilot it is better and safer, when it, let and with big add scratch index, but holds down all only under the check, without any handicapes! ” “I perfectly understand holders of this ambulance who with trembling concern to the CLK-GTR,“ going for a drive ”on them some times in a year, not thinking at all about flying. I will iterate once again: this road version - a certain museum piece, which one is not obliged to execute any functions, except how to show itself to people. To me in any sense has carried: after the test I tracked CLK-GTR on the car from which one filming was led, and I will tell fairly: overseeing by dynamics of this plant from the side raises even more than driving at the wheel in a close cockpit! And it is unimportant, that this car - most expensive in the world, the main thing, that it it is simple… Most-most!” - summarises Deni Moraines.