4 Minutes
Mercedes' unofficial CGI concept channels the CLK DTM
Mercedes-Benz's design language is enjoying a nostalgic renaissance across the German premium brands, and a new virtual study takes that trend in a racier direction. Transportation designer and digital artist Nicolas Herrera — known online as nicolash.design — has released an unofficial 'Mercedes-Benz Concept' that deliberately revives the aggressive aura of the CLK DTM homologation car while projecting a modern, aerodynamic vision.
Herrera's render doesn't aim to recreate the classic CLK-Class literally. Instead, it extracts the original coupe's essence — muscular proportions, a bold frontal presence and a focus on performance — and translates those cues into a clean, contemporary silhouette. The result reads like a bridge between motorsport heritage and future-forward styling in automotive CGI.
Why this matters
As Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz lean into electrification, many recent concept cars have referenced iconic styling from the past: Audi's Concept C nods to Auto Union, BMW's iX3 and narrow kidney grills recall the 02 Series, while Mercedes' Vision Iconic and GLC with EQ technology resurrect elements from the Ponton and 300SL eras. Herrera's take is different — less retro-fashionable and more performance-led, inspired by the CLK DTM's racing attitude.
"Reinterpreting the spirit of the CLK," Herrera explains, "is about pure lines, sensual proportions and clean surfaces — a future Mercedes that balances elegance with aerodynamic efficiency." That philosophy shows in the coupe's taut bodywork, large aero-oriented wheels and a grille treatment that channels the DTM homologation car rather than the softer luxury cues of the original CLK.
Design highlights and visual cues
- Dominant front end with a wide, shield-like grille and pronounced lower splitter
- Sculpted flanks that emphasize a long hood and coupe-like roofline
- Minimal ornamentation, focusing on surface purity and functional aerodynamics
- Aggressive stance reminiscent of DTM race cars, not the softer CLK road models
These elements push the concept toward a sporty, track-capable persona while retaining Mercedes' hallmark elegance. The visual narrative is about simplicity and purpose: fewer chrome flourishes, more functional channels and vents.
Performance and market context (speculation)
As an unofficial CGI project, the concept carries no production specs. However, its design cues imply a high-performance grand tourer or hybrid-electric halo model within Mercedes' future lineup. If Mercedes ever chose to develop a modern CLK-inspired coupe, it could sit above the C-Class coupé and borrow electrified powertrains or AMG performance tech — reflecting the industry's shift toward hybridization and electric performance.
How it compares to official retro-inspired concepts
Where official concepts from Mercedes and rivals often mix classic motifs (grilles, chrome bars, round lamps) with electric architecture, Herrera's image favors a motorsport lineage: the CLK DTM. That gives the render a tougher, more purposeful look compared with the Vision Iconic’s grand touring nostalgia.
Quote from the designer:
"Reinterpreting an icon is always a challenge, but this exercise shows how a Mercedes of tomorrow can still convey character and sophistication through simplicity and refined finishes."
Final thoughts
This unofficial render is a reminder that digital design and automotive CGI are powerful tools for exploring brand heritage without the constraints of engineering and regulations. For enthusiasts, Herrera's Mercedes-Benz Concept offers an exciting glimpse of how the essence of the supercharged CLK DTM might be carried into a contemporary, performance-focused future — one that blends motorsport DNA with the minimalist clarity of modern car design.
Source: autoevolution
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