The 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM AMG ranks among the rarest performance cars in the German automaker’s history. However, this particular example is even more interesting, having once belonged to Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button.
One of just 100 coupes produced, the car was purchased new by Button in December 2004. The British racing driver kept it for 15 years before selling it to a Japanese collector in 2019.
Finished in Obsidian Black Metallic, the right-hand-drive Mercedes combines aggressive DTM-inspired styling with a supercharged V8 and serious performance credentials. It’s also covered relatively few miles during its lifetime.
Now, the car is heading to Iconic Auctioneers’ November 14, 2026, sale at the NEC in Birmingham. With an estimated value of £400,000 to £500,000, owning a piece of Button’s automotive history certainly won’t come cheap.
A Road-Legal Tribute To DTM Racing
Mercedes created the CLK DTM AMG to celebrate Bernd Schneider’s victory in the 2003 German Touring Car Championship. Unlike a typical special edition, it featured extensive mechanical and aerodynamic upgrades inspired by the competition car.
Production was limited to just 100 coupes, with another 80 convertibles arriving later. The cars were built by HWA AG, the motorsport specialist responsible for Mercedes’ racing operations.
The exterior features dramatically widened wheel arches, an aggressive front bumper, a prominent rear wing, and staggered 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels. Carbon-fiber components help reduce weight, while the interior features lightweight bucket seats and no rear bench.
Nearly 600 Horsepower Under The Hood
Power comes from a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 producing 582 horsepower, sent to the rear wheels through a five-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission. That’s a lot more muscle than the regular CLK55 AMG had on tap.
Mercedes claimed the CLK DTM AMG could accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.9 seconds and reach an electronically limited 199 mph, which is impressive even by today’s standards.
The performance upgrades also include adjustable suspension, larger composite brakes, a mechanical limited-slip differential, and a specially calibrated stability-control system that helps keep everything under control.
Jenson Button’s Former Mercedes Could Fetch £500,000
Button took delivery of this CLK DTM AMG in Jersey in December 2004 and kept it until 2019. Its documentation includes a registration certificate bearing his name and several service invoices.
The odometer currently reads 18,114 kilometers, equivalent to approximately 11,255 miles. The car also comes with its original owner’s wallet, two keys, and various factory accessories.
Iconic Auctioneers expects the Mercedes to fetch between £400,000 and £500,000 before fees and applicable taxes. With its limited production, impressive performance, and a Formula 1 champion on its ownership record, this example should attract serious collectors.