Formula One champion Fernando Alonso was recently seen enjoying the holiday season in Monaco, drawing attention not just for his presence but for the car he was driving. Alonso was spotted navigating the streets of the principality with his girlfriend behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR Strassenversion, an ultra-rare road-going supercar valued at approximately $11 million.
The CLK-GTR is considered one of the most exclusive homologation specials ever produced. Built during the GT1 era of endurance racing, the model was created to satisfy racing regulations that required manufacturers to produce a limited number of street-legal versions of their competition cars. Only 28 examples of the CLK-GTR were built in total, including 20 coupes and six roadsters, making any public appearance a rare event.
The road-going CLK-GTR is closely derived from the Le Mans–winning race car of the same name. Power comes from a 6.9-liter V12 engine producing 622 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 539 pound-feet of torque at 5,250 rpm. The engine is paired with a six-speed sequential manual transmission using a carbon-fiber clutch, a setup that closely mirrors the technology of its racing counterpart.
Performance figures remain striking even by modern standards. The CLK-GTR can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 200 mph, placing it firmly among the fastest road cars of its era.
While all CLK-GTRs are rare, the roadster versions are considered the most valuable due to their lower production numbers. That exclusivity has driven prices even higher in recent years. One such roadster, valued at $13 million, was recently seized by the FBI in Los Angeles, underscoring both the car’s financial significance and its status as a coveted collector asset.
Alonso’s appearance in Monaco with the CLK-GTR highlights the enduring appeal of GT1-era homologation cars and their continued presence among elite automotive collections.
Shawn Henry