M-B AMG CLK DTM to USA?

Mercedes' competition in the showcase DTM (German touring car) racing series gave the world the CLK DTM...but not the whole world, as the very limited-edition special was not certified for use in the United States. But that could change, according to Mercedes-AMG sales guru Mario Spitzner.

The CLK-DTM was first sold as a coupe, of which only 100 were made, followed by 80 convertibles. Both were powered by a 582-horsepower supercharged V8, with stiffened suspensions, beefed-up brakes and uber-aggressive bodywork that left no question these were very special vehicles, capable of rocketing to sixty in under four seconds. Mercedes even shifted the range-wide 155-mph electronic speed limiter to 200.

Like many limited-edition supercars, the original CLK DTM was not brought over to the US because of strict testing laws here. But Spitzner says they could make a second run of the cars just for the American market. And considering the investment, they'd be likely to make more than 100 this time.

So what's standing in their way? Although Spitzner says some of their best customers in the US have been begging Mercedes to bring the car over, they'd need to be sure there was enough demand to warrant the investment. And while touring cars generate a lot of enthusiasm in Europe, the same doesn't apply in the US, where (last we checked) Mercedes wasn't running in NASCAR. Another factor that could prohibitively limit the marketability stateside of the alphabet-soupercar is the upcoming CLK 63 AMG 'Black Series' that's expected to offer 530 horsepower, probably for a lot less than the quarter-million dollars the original CLK DTM went for.

[Source: Edmunds Inside Line]