The
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren has come onto the market a bit later than expected.
However, it is also a much better car than originally anticipated. When
we wrote about the Porsche Carrera GT, we mentioned
that Porsche had improved the vehicle after losing out in an informal race
against the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. This meant that Mercedes-Benz McLaren
had to top the increased performance of the Carrera GT. As it happens,
Mercedes-Benz has managed this and now the McLaren is a super two-seater
with a top speed of 334 km/hour (a staggering 207 mph). We are impressed
- as this also gives the McLaren, which has a V8 engine, a clear lead over
the Mercedes Benz SL top of the range AMG version. With its 5.5-litre
displacement and screw-type compressor, the engine develops a peak output
of 460 kW/626 hp and delivers its maximum torque of 780 Newtonmetres from
3250 rpm. This is a figure which remains constant across a broad engine
speed range of up to 5000 rpm. With this kind of power under the bonnet,
the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren delivers performance figures which are among
the best in its class: this high-performance sports car takes just 3.8
seconds to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h. It passes the 200 km/h mark after
10.6 seconds, and from a standing start it takes just 28.8 seconds to reach
300 km/h.
Back
in the mid-1950s the three letters SLR acquired a hallowed status, as a
Mercedes-Benz racing car of that name set new standards in the world of
high-class Gran Turismo vehicles. Visually breathtaking and, thanks to
innovative technology, superior to its rivals in terms of performance and
handling, it spawned a legend. Mercedes-Benz and McLaren have successfully
imbued the new Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren with the same charismatic qualities.
Just like its legendary predecessor in 1955, this SLR incorporates new
technological developments which are ahead of their time. The sidepipes
– a further reminder of the 1950s SLR racers – allow the smooth-surfaced
underbody, which plays a crucial role in producing the new Mercedes-Benz
SLR McLaren's first-class aerodynamic properties. The 5-speed automatic
transmission, fitted as standard, is also designed for high performance.
It allows the driver to choose between three programs, letting him or her
determine the shift speed individually. When "Manual" is selected, the
five gears can either be shifted using buttons on the steering wheel or
using the selector lever's Touchshift function. In manual mode the driver
can select between three shift stages – "Sport", "SuperSport" and "Race"
– significantly shortening the shift times still further for an even sportier
drive.
The
bodyshell of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren high-performance sports car
is also distinctly high-tech. Along with the front and rear structure and
the passenger cell, the swing-wing doors and the bonnet, it is made entirely
from carbon fibre composite. This lightweight yet extremely rigid material
originated in the aeronautical and space industries and has also proven
its benefits in today's Formula 1 race cars. The weight advantage of the
high-tech material over steel is around 50 percent. In addition to this,
carbon fibres, on impact, are characterised by four to five times higher
energy absorption than steel or aluminium. Mercedes-Benz exploits these
qualities by inserting two 620-millimetre longitudinal members made from
carbon fibre in the front structure of the new SLR. These absorb the entire
energy of the crash in a head-on collision without exceeding tolerable
deceleration values for the occupants. In an impact the fibres of these
elements shred from front to rear with precisely calculated deformation
behaviour, ensuring constant deceleration. This makes the SLR the world's
first series-produced car to have a front crash structure made entirely
from carbon fibre.
Engine: 5.5L V8
Horsepower: 626 bhp
/ PS
Top Speed: 207 mph / 334
km/h
Peak torque: 780 Nm (576
lb ft)
Acceleration: 0-60
mph in 3.7 sec (0-100km/h in 3.8)
The
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren has come onto the market a bit later than expected.
However, it is also a much better car than originally anticipated. When
we wrote about the 
Back
in the mid-1950s the three letters SLR acquired a hallowed status, as a
Mercedes-Benz racing car of that name set new standards in the world of
high-class Gran Turismo vehicles. Visually breathtaking and, thanks to
innovative technology, superior to its rivals in terms of performance and
handling, it spawned a legend. Mercedes-Benz and McLaren have successfully
imbued the new Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren with the same charismatic qualities.
Just like its legendary predecessor in 1955, this SLR incorporates new
technological developments which are ahead of their time. The sidepipes
– a further reminder of the 1950s SLR racers – allow the smooth-surfaced
underbody, which plays a crucial role in producing the new Mercedes-Benz
SLR McLaren's first-class aerodynamic properties. The 5-speed automatic
transmission, fitted as standard, is also designed for high performance.
It allows the driver to choose between three programs, letting him or her
determine the shift speed individually. When "Manual" is selected, the
five gears can either be shifted using buttons on the steering wheel or
using the selector lever's Touchshift function. In manual mode the driver
can select between three shift stages – "Sport", "SuperSport" and "Race"
– significantly shortening the shift times still further for an even sportier
drive.
The
bodyshell of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren high-performance sports car
is also distinctly high-tech. Along with the front and rear structure and
the passenger cell, the swing-wing doors and the bonnet, it is made entirely
from carbon fibre composite. This lightweight yet extremely rigid material
originated in the aeronautical and space industries and has also proven
its benefits in today's Formula 1 race cars. The weight advantage of the
high-tech material over steel is around 50 percent. In addition to this,
carbon fibres, on impact, are characterised by four to five times higher
energy absorption than steel or aluminium. Mercedes-Benz exploits these
qualities by inserting two 620-millimetre longitudinal members made from
carbon fibre in the front structure of the new SLR. These absorb the entire
energy of the crash in a head-on collision without exceeding tolerable
deceleration values for the occupants. In an impact the fibres of these
elements shred from front to rear with precisely calculated deformation
behaviour, ensuring constant deceleration. This makes the SLR the world's
first series-produced car to have a front crash structure made entirely
from carbon fibre.