15 Mercedes-Benz Cars Every Enthusiast Should Know About

Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR AMG

Before officially joining Mercedes-Benz, AMG had already made a name for itself building race-ready engines. It quickly became the go-to tuner for Mercedes' racing projects, one of which resulted in the iconic CLK GTR---a race-winning car that a lucky few could actually own.

Built for the FIA GT Championship, the CLK GTR was designed first and foremost as a race car, with road-going specs being secondary. Its specs (via AutoEvolution) are as impressive as you'd expect from a race car, featuring a mid-mounted 6.9-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine delivering over 600 horsepower. While that kind of power is common in supercars today, it was mind-blowing in 1997.

To match the power, every part of the car was engineered for speed. It's made of aluminum and composite materials, making the body and chassis as light and rigid as possible. Inside, there's no room for comfort---the interior is cramped and stripped of any luxury features. But what it lacks in comfort, it more than makes up for in speed. And it comes at a hefty price---only 25 were made, and today, the car often sells for millions at auctions like this one with Sotheby's. If speed is the measure of the best car, then this one takes the crown.