In 2004, KLEEMANN made ambitious plans for creating unique and exclusive KLEEMANN sportscars. Now, after 3 years of design and development, KLEEMANN bring their vast technology know-how and experience to the next level by introducing the GTK concept car.

The design project

KLEEMANN, best known for their long experience in Kompressor technology and exclusive styling products for Mercedes-Benz cars, now enters the battlefield of the exclusive sportscar manufacturers. This was made possible when KLEEMANN employed the internationally experienced car designer Christian Brandt. Christian has headed the top secret GTK design project, which was not only a sportscar project, but also a design and technology development platform for future KLEEMANN performance and styling solutions for Mercedes-Benz cars.

- The KLEEMANN styling solutions have always been designed with the deepest of respect for the elegant, powerful and exclusive design of the Mercedes-Benz cars. In order to go to the next level of KLEEMANN design, we felt that we needed to create a complete car. Designing a complete car enables us to create styling solutions for the Mercedes-Benz cars from a much bigger perspective than we have done previously by creating enhancements for production cars, says Christian Brandt, and adds:

- The GTK design project has been a big inspiration for both current and future KLEEMANN products. The wheel of the GTK has inspired the new TS-7 wheel with its unique directional one-piece design, and elements from the GTK design are similar to some parts of the current styling solutions for the KLEEMANN S-class and CLS-class. Current design projects planned for launch in the next 6-12 months for new Mercedes-Benz models will feature significant shapes and details from the GTK design. As all other KLEEMANN styling solutions, the design of the GTK is based on the unique KLEEMANN design code of elegance and simplicity acknowledging the Nordic design traditions of simple and organic shapes. The positive feedback from the market over the past couple of years confirms us in the belief that the KLEEMANN design direction we set in 2004 is right and appealing to the international market, Christian Brandt concludes.

Sophisticated and reliable technology

The KLEEMANN GTK features carbon fibre body panels as well as many existing high performance KLEEMANN products, such as Kompressor system, alloy wheels, brakes etc. These new products have been developed and tested since 2005 in a Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG and the GTK is structurally based on the SLK.

- When we chose to base the GTK on the Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG, we wanted to offer exclusive sportscar design with the built-in everyday reliability, safety and comfort of the Mercedes-Benz cars. That way we could focus on developing specific elements making the car's design and performance unique for KLEEMANN, says technical director Claus Ankjaer and adds:

- In the creation of the GTK we faced several new challenges, and the experience we gained from solving these challenges, enable us to develop and manufacture even more sophisticated and reliable performance solutions for existing and future Mercedes-Benz car models, Claus concludes.

Unique performance

Featuring the normally aspirated SLK 55 AMG engine fitted with a complete KLEEMANN Kompressor system, the GTK boasts 540 HP of power and 700 Nm of torque. This power is transferred to the road through a 7-speed automatic gearbox, a KLEEMANN limited slip differential and ultra low profile Toyo T1-R tires on 20" KLEEMANN alloy rims designed specifically for the GTK, giving the driver maximum performance and control on the road.

Being a safe, reliable and everyday usable sportscar reflects the Comfort Power slogan of KLEEMANN, and set it apart from many other race bred sportscars.

The raw performance data for the GTK places it at the very front of the competition: The 0-100 km/h acceleration is done in only 3,7 seconds and the GTK continues the brutal acceleration right up to the electronically limited top speed of 300 km/h. The high performance KLEEMANN brake system featuring 380 mm. vented discs with 8 piston fixed aluminium callipers front and 345 mm. vented discs with 4 piston fixed aluminium callipers rear ensure fast and secure stopping power from any speed.

KLEEMANN is currently not planning mass production of the GTK.

Kleemann, the Danish tuning house best known for enhancing Mercedes cars, has been working the past three years on their very own concept car. Last October Kleemann revealed the first images and specifications of their GTK concept car.

The Kleemann GTK is based on the Mercedes SLK and is powered by the SLK 55 AMG engine producing 540 hp and 700 Nm of torque. Kleemann also claims a limited top speed of 300 km/h and a 0 to 100 km/h time of roughly 3.7 seconds for their GTK. GTK literally stands for Gran Turismo Kleemann, which translates into a front-engined but rear-wheel driven coupe.

Designer, Christian Brandt, penned the GTK from the ground up, while design student Jesper Hermann designed its twin, the D-SCK Concept (seen above) which made its debut at the Danish car show last week. The WCF newsroom is undecided over which concept looks better, maybe a vote among readers is necessary.

Christian Brandt and Jesper Hermann have now formed a new design consultancy and Kleemann will work exclusively with the new company for all its design work in the future.

Lars Meller Jensen, Head of Design, Marketing and PR said: "We actually see it as a great advantage that we are now working with an external design consultancy instead of employing an in-house designer. Jesper and Christian's vast experience on KLEEMANN design and products is a huge advantage to us, and the fact that they will now also work on projects for other manufactures will, I think, give them a lot of experience and knowledge which will benefit KLEEMANN long term. An example of a similar cooporation is the lifelong relation between Ferrari and Pininfarina."