The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is a grand tourer developed jointly by Mercedes-Benz and McLaren and sold from 2003 to 2010. Its name stands for Sport Leicht Rennsport and honours the 300 SLR of the 1950s.
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren at a glance
| Sold | 2003–2010 |
|---|---|
| Model codes | C199, R199, Z199 |
| Partners | Mercedes-Benz and McLaren |
| Mercedes stake in McLaren | 40 per cent |
| Concept | Vision SLR, 1999 Detroit show |
| Production car shown | 17 November 2003 |
| Engine | 5.4-litre supercharged AMG V8 |
| Power | about 626 PS (460 kW) |
| Brakes | carbon-ceramic discs, 370 mm front and 360 mm rear |
| Bodies | coupé, roadster and speedster |
| End of production | 2010 for the coupé, 2009 for the roadster |
This article is based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.
History of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
At the 1999 North American International Auto Show Mercedes-Benz showed the Vision SLR, inspired by the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé of 1955, a modified W196S racing car, and by closed-wheel Formula One cars. The concept had a 5.0-litre supercharged AMG V8 of 565 PS and 720 Nm with a five-speed automatic gearbox, and a roadster version was shown later that year in Frankfurt. Mercedes-Benz then joined forces with its Formula One partner McLaren, and the production car was unveiled on 17 November 2003 after major changes.
Mercedes-Benz did the styling while McLaren was responsible for design, engineering, manufacture and testing. To give the car the performance Mercedes wanted, McLaren moved the engine almost a metre back and lowered the fuel tank for better weight distribution, and added more complex side vents, a redesigned nose with the star set into it and tinted rear lights. Two TVR Cerberas were modified as test mules for the engine. The car ran for over six years; Mercedes announced in April 2008 that it would be discontinued, the roadster was dropped in early 2009 and the last coupé was built at the end of 2010.
The SLR used Sensotronic Brake Control, a brake-by-wire system, with carbon-ceramic discs that Mercedes-Benz claimed stayed fade-free up to 1,200 °C, gripped by eight-piston callipers at the front and four-piston at the rear; in wet weather the callipers skimmed the discs dry. Active aerodynamics included a rear air-brake flap on the boot lid. The car was offered as a coupé, a roadster and a limited speedster, and its front mid-engine layout and automatic gearbox led some journalists to classify it as a grand tourer.
Design and features
- Supercharged V8: an AMG engine of about 626 PS.
- Carbon-ceramic brakes: with brake-by-wire control.
- Active aerodynamics: a rear flap that acts as an air brake.
- McLaren engineering: built and tested by the Formula One partner.
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren versions
- Coupé (2003–2010): the main model.
- Roadster (to 2009): open version.
- Speedster: a limited edition.
- Vision SLR (1999): the concept car.
The SLR honoured the 300 SLR of the 1950s and was followed by the SLS AMG. More in the Mercedes-Benz collection.
Video: 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
Video by YouTube on YouTube.
Sources
- Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, English Wikipedia: development, engineering, brakes, production
