Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
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| Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren | |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz | |
| aka | Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss |
| Production | 2003 - 2009 (expected) 3500 unit production limit |
| Class | Supercar/Hypercar |
| Body Style | 2-door, 2-seat Coupe |
| Length | 183.3 in (4656 mm) |
| Width | 75.1 in (1908 mm) |
| Height | 49.6 in (1261 mm) |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in (2700 mm) |
| Weight | SLR 3898 lb (1768 kg) SLR 722 3635 lb (1649 kg) |
| Transmission | 5 Speed Automatic, RWD |
| Engine | 5.5 litre (5439 cc) Supercharged 90º V8 |
| Power | 626 hp @ 6500 rpm 575 lb-ft of torque @ 3250 - 5000 rpm SLR 722 650 hp @ 6500 rpm 605 lb-ft of torque @ 4000 rpm |
| Similar | Koenigsegg CCX Saleen S7 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Ferrari Enzo McLaren F1 Lamborghini Murciélago Aston Martin V12 Vanquish Porsche Carrera GT Pagani Zonda Maserati MC12 |
| Designer | {{{Designer (lead designer if it was a team effort)}}} |
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is a sports car and supercar automobile co-developed by DaimlerChrysler and McLaren Cars. It is one of the fastest automatic transmission cars in the world. It is assembled at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, England. Most people presume "SLR" to stand for "Sportlich, Leicht, Rennsport" (German for "Sport; Light; Racing"), while it actually means "super-leicht, Rennsport" (super-light, racing). The car's base price is €443,066 £300,000 or $450,000 [2].
A new version was introduced in 2006 called the "2007 Mercedes-Benz SLR 722 Edition". The "722" refers to the victory by Stirling Moss and his co-driver Denis Jenkinson in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR with the starting number 722 (indicating a start time of 7:22 a.m.) at the Mille Miglia in 1955. The "722 Edition" creates 650 bhp, with a top speed of 337 km/h (3 more than the standard SLR). Countering the problems from the previous, a new suspension is used with 19-inch light-alloy wheels, a stiffer damper configuration and 0.4 inches lower body. The SLR is planned to end production in 2008 according to Mercedes-Benz.
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Recent Changes
- Seeing a slight resurrgence of public interest in the overlooked supercar after the wake of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster's 2007 debut, Mercedes-Benz under the prodding of its Middle Eastern clientele, along with British motorsports company RML Group developed the uber-outrageous Mercedes-McLaren SLR 722 GT. Intended only for track purposes, the project has already seen 21 customers plunking down the €1 million asking price for one of the world's most exclusive racecars. At its heart lies a supercharged AMG 5.5L V8 that's had its boost pressure wound up to 1.75bar complemented by a high-flow sports filter and exhaust system to produce 671hp (500kW) and 830Nm (612lb-ft) of torque as well as over 400 other modifications.[3]
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History
The Mercedes McLaren SLR is inspired by the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR of 1955. This sports car racer was actually based on the W196 F1 car, yet named after the road-going Mercedes 300SL Gullwing. A notable feature of the SLR is its gullwing doors, a homage to the original 300 SLR.
Engine
The SLR has a supercharged 5.5 (5439 cc) litre dry sumped 90 degree V8. It produces 466.8 kW at 6500 rpm (626 hp) and 780 N·m (575 ft·lbf) torque at 3250 - 5000 rpm. AMG technicians took the original SL-55 AMG engine and optimized its capacities by enlarging the fuel pump, the cylinders, and put a larger cooling system that absorbs air to cool down the engine. It has 3 valves per cylinder with SOHC. This is very unusual as most supercars, indeed most modern cars, have DOHC and 4 valves per cylinder, but it keeps with the recent trend in modular V engines from Mercedes Benz and decreases engine emissions. The Twin-screw type supercharger and the 2 aluminium rotors have a maximum speed of 23,000 rpm. It is mounted between the two engine banks and uses 120 bhp at maximum capacity.
Unlike most of its contemporaries, its engine is front-mid mounted. McLaren took the original concept car designed by Mercedes and moved the engine fully 1metre behind the front bumper, and around 50 cm behind the front axle. They also optimised the design of the centre firewall.
Brakes
The brake discs are carbon-ceramic which provide better stopping power and fade resistance than steel discs. Mercedes-Benz claim these discs are fade resistant to 1000 °C. The front discs are internally vented and 370 mm in diameter. 8 piston calipers are used. Rear discs are 360 mm in diameter with 4 piston calipers. The result of these massive rotors is a maximum braking power of 1500 kW. When it is wet the calipers automatically skim the surface of the disks to keep them dry.
The SLR also has a spoiler mounted on the rear which pops up when braking from high speeds. The spoiler greatly increases drag at high speeds. See [4] for a picture of the spoiler down and [5] up (in use). This additional braking power on the order of 0.25 g of deceleration helps the car to stop quicker than any other car of its category.
The SLR has been criticised for its braking performance. While all agree that the brakes are extremely powerful, some critics argue they are either "on or off". Such critics include Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond. In addition to this when the SLR is under braking extra fuel is pumped in to cool the engine. Since the exhausts are mounted in front of the driver's position the smell of unburnt fuel is noticed in the cabin.
Clarkson commented that "[The brakes] glow when you use them, and catch fire when you use them a lot". The brakes burn any debris on them and contrary to popular belief, the car itself does not catch on fire. This was proven during the 2006 Goodwood Festival of Speed when during the Supercar Run, Gary Paffett performed a huge burnout, only to have the brakes catching fire, though relatively small and could be seen around the rim as the car stood still.
Transmission
The SLR comes with a five speed automatic transmission with three separate modes: Sport, Comfort and Manual. Sport used for everyday use, Comfort starts in second gear for bumpy or slippery roads. Manual allows the driver to shift gears with the touchpad or the simple levers on the steering wheel. When in Manual, three additional modes (Sport, Supersport, Race) on the second dial can be used, each significantly making quicker shift times. This is the same transmission as used in other performance models such as the SL65 AMG. The Mercedes-Benz seven speed automatic transmission as used on the SLK 55 AMG cannot handle power and torque output of the SLR; hence it is fitted with only a five speed transmission.
The gear ratios are as follows: 3.56:1, 2.19:1, 1.41:1, 1.00:1, 0.831:1.
Performance
Mercedes-Benz claims that the car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds (0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds at 98 °F), 0-200 km/h in 10.6 seconds, and 300 km/h in 28.8 seconds, and has a top speed of 334 km/h (207 mph)[1] which makes it the fastest automatic, (although some consider the Bugatti Veyron to be the worlds fastest automatic car, it utilizes a dual clutch sequential manual transmission and not a true automatic). The car uses carbon fibre for its body construction which makes it lighter. The car is, however still quite heavy at 1768 kg due to the numerous luxury items included in it. It has never reached a higher speed than 210 mph.
Car and Driver got a 0-60 time of 3.6 seconds, and a quarter-mile time of 11.6 seconds at 125 mph. These are during a test session that took place in the late afternoon, when October temperatures were on the decline. C&D suggests the times may be even lower if temperatures were higher. Car and Driver got top gear acceleration 30-50 mph and 50-70 mph times of 1.7 and 2.4 seconds, which are the fastest ever recorded by the magazine in a production car. The SLR also pulled 0.97 g on the skidpad.
The German magazine Auto Motor und Sport, in 2004, tested the SLR at the Nardo test track in southern Italy. They reported that the SLR accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, 200 km/h in 10.7 seconds, and 300 km in 30.6 seconds. The car's 400-meter time and 1 km time were found to be 11.5 seconds at 207 km/h, and 20.5 seconds at 269 km/h, respectively.
Praise
The SLR has been praised for many of its features. It is extremely fast, yet is comfortable enough that the car has been categorized as more of a "grand touring" car than a "supercar" (e.g. Porsche Carrera GT, Ferrari Enzo). Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear has noted that it's very easy to drive, with "cruise control, electric seats, air conditioner, CD auto changer, and it goes 210 miles an hour". Clarkson also said that it was built so
"You can cruise to the Nürburgring listening to Terry Wogan, do a mindblowing lap, and cruise back listening to Ken Bruce."
Despite rumours, the Mercedes McLaren SLR is not diesel-powered, unlike certain versions of the Mercedes-Benz C111 supercar of the 1960s and 1970s.
Criticism
The most criticised parts of the car are its brakes. "It's not that they don't work—they do, but it's the way they do it: they are either on or off" (Richard Hammond, on Top Gear). Although extremely powerful, they are described as binary, as if they were made for panic stops at 200 mph.
Some critics suggest the better buy is a Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG - a more planted car with a more powerful engine (738 lb-ft torque), for about $200,000 less. It accelerates 0-60 mph 0.1 seconds slower and has a top speed limited to 155 mph. [6]. It can however have the speed limiter removed for a mere 800 dollars with a chip from Brabus or Renntech.
Comparison With Other Supercars
HowStuffWorks.com, a website of how nearly everything works, says the following:[2]
- Not many cars are in the same league with the SLR. It's cheaper than an Enzo Ferrari by about $200,000, but costs about $10K more than a Porsche Carerra GT. It only costs half as much as a McLaren F1 did in 1997. The SLR can't touch the top speeds of the Enzo or the McLaren F1 (217 and 240 mph, respectively), but it beats the Carerra GT by two mph.
- The Enzo and F1 also dwarf the SLR's horsepower, but the Carerra GT is more comparable, with only 604 hp to the SLR's 617. Perhaps the most telling difference is weight. The McLaren F1 is a slender 2,513 lbs., the Enzo weighs 3,020 lbs., and the Carerra GT weighs in at 3,043 lbs. The SLR, with its luxury interior, is a scale-busting 3,858 lbs.
Despite its 2-ton weight, the fuel economy is generally higher than the lighter Lamborghini Murcielago, and even its less expensive, lighter, and less powerful sibling, Gallardo.[3] Also, BBC auto show Top Gear put this car and the Porsche Carrera GT on its track, and the Porsche beat the SLR-Mclaren by just over a second (1:19.8 vs. 1:20.9).[4]
Exclusivity
Mercedes-Benz has stated that they will build 3500 SLRs in a span of over 7 years, with an annual production of only 500 cars. The 1000th car was produced in February 2006, in black for a Japanese customer. The MSRP ranges from $452,700.00 all the way to $628,351.00.[5]
Special editions
In reference to the 300 SLR, released in 2006, Mercedes-Benz bought out the 722 Edition the number being Denis Jenkinson and Stirling Moss's 1955 Mille Migilia winning race number, indicating their start time of 7.22 a.m.
Power is boosted to 478 kW (650 hp) and 820 N·m (605 ft·lbf) torque at 4000 rpm. Modifications were also made to the suspension, with a stiffer damper setup and 10 mm (0.4 in) lower ride height introduced for improved handling. Larger 390 mm diameter front brakes and a revised front air dam and rear diffuser were fitted.[6]
Overall performance has increased, with a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 3.6 seconds, 0-200 km/h time of 10.2 seconds and 0-300km/h in 28 seconds.[7]
Exterior changes included larger 19-inch black alloy wheels and red "722" badging (harking back to the original 722 racer).
Popular Video Games
- Gran Turismo 4. The price for the SLR McLaren is 610,000 Cr. and it is also the 2003 version.
- Gran Turismo HD is set to feature the 722 Edition of the SLR McLaren, in addition by adding the returning original version.
- Forza Motorsport features the SLR McLaren.
- Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition and the Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition Remix features also the SLR McLaren.
- Test Drive Unlimited features the SLR McLaren and it can be driven.
- Project Gotham Racing 3 features the SLR McLaren and can also be driven.
- Need For Speed: Most Wanted features the SLR McLaren in the game, but the SLR McLaren's top speed is only 199 mph, when it has not been tuned yet.
- Need For Speed: Carbon also features the returning Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.
- Asphalt: Urban GT 2 features the SLR Mclaren.
Notable owners
- Scott Storch (silver) - Music Producer and President of Tuff Jew Products. Most notable for his work with 50 cent, dr.dre, paris hilton, and lil'kim.
- Daniel Kinnear (silver) - CEO of FSSU, Inc. South Australia, owns a 722 edition SLR.
- Ted Bell - owner of the upscale steakhouse Ted's of Beverly Hills. Is president of the Beverly Hills Automobile Association (Note: Ted Bell is a fictitious character on the Phil Hendrie Radio Show and the steak house is a spin-off of the radio show, similar to the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. of Forest Gump fame)
- Stefan Eriksson (black) — notable for his Ferrari Enzo crash and formerly of Gizmondo. His car was impounded by the City of Beverly Hills while being driven by his wife in March 2006. Also alleged to have wrecked another SLR in England.[8] He is accused by authorities of stealing both of the above mentioned cars, plus a black Enzo and an additional two Mercedes - a total of $3.8million - from a UK finance company
- Carl Freer — formerly of Gizmondo
- Vikram Chatwal - Hotelier - silver 2005
- Prince Naseem Hamed (silver)— former boxer, wrote it off in what was described by the judge as a "suicidal" head on smash. Jailed for 15 months[9]
- Thierry Henry - (Crystal Laurite Silver), in June 2005. Henry gave in to temptation and signed on the dotted line at a motor show in France. He is also known to own the SLR’s arch-rival from Porsche, the £300,000 Carrera GT, and an Aston Martin Vanquish, a positive bargain in comparison at just £170,000[10]
- Hamed Salem Al-Sabah (pearl white) - Member of the Kuwaiti Royal Family, Grandson of the late Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Al Sabah. Student at AUK (American University of Kuwait). Also owns the Enzo Ferrari (red).
- Paris Hilton (Grey) Many suggest that her SLR is indeed black, but it has been confirmed to be Palladium Grey.
- Jay Leno - added one to his huge car and motorcycle collection
- Daniel Sadek — real estate investor turned film producer will feature his SLR McLarens in the upcoming Eddie Griffin film, Redline
- Jerome Dahan- Notable and succesful garment designer, most noted for seven jeans and citizens of humanity.
- Emiliyan Dimov (Cristal Laurite Silver) - Bulgarian businessman and exotic car dealer. His son, Dragan Dimov, has also been spotted in exotic vehicles on several occasions.
- Donald J. Trump (Crystal Laurite Silver) - American Tycoon and Billionaire. As seen in episode 8 of The Apprentice 5
- Robbie Williams (Crystal Galaxite Black) - at his house in Los Angeles
- Damon Jones (black) - plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers. MTV cribs shows his car.
- Ja Rule (silver) - Co-CEO/Owner Of The Inc. Records, Multi-Platinum selling rapper.
- Phil Ivey (silver) - Professional poker player
- Xzibit (Crystal Laurite Silver) - Rapper of Pimp my Ride fame
- Michael Jordan (silver)- Basketball Legend
- Vítor Baia - FC Porto Football Legend
- Warren Kanders - chairman of Armor Holdings
- Dan Rubin - Chairman of 1-800-Attorney
- Liz Smith Black - Writer and PR rep
- Alexandre Grendene - Brazilian businessman
- Urmas Sõõrumaa (Crystal Laurite Silver) - Estonian businessman
- Artist Formally Known as Prince (black with purple rims) - music artist
Photos
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See Also
| image (between 170-190 pixels) | ||
| McLAREN | ||
|
Mercedes-Benz | Maybach | Smart | Mitsubishi | GEM | Mercedes-AMG | Freightliner | Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation | OriOn | Setra | Sterling Trucks | Thomas Built Buses | Western Star | McLaren Group Current Historic M6 GT · F1 · SLR McLaren · SLR McLaren Roadster McLaren F1 Variants Racing Bruce McLaren · Ron Dennis · Gordon Murray · Peter Stevens | ||
| Ron Dennis | Corporate website | independent |
| <--earlier | Mercedes-Benz road car timeline, 1980s-present Edit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type | Class | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ||
| Supermini | A | W168 | W169 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Entry-level | C | W201 (190) | W202 | W203 | W204 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mid-size | E | W123 | W124 | W210 | W211 | W212 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CLS | W219 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full-size | S | W126 | W140 | W220 | W221 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maybach | W240 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Roadster | SLK | R170 | R171 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SL | R107 | R129 | R230 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coupé | CLK | W208 | W209 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CL | W126 | W140 | W215 | C216 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Supercar | SLR | C199 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SUV | G | W460/W461 | W463 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Crossover SUV | GLK | GLK | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M | W163 | W164 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GL | X164 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MPVs | B | W245 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| R | W251 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vaneo | Vaneo | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sprinter | Sprinter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
References
- ↑ http://www.mclarenautomotive.com/cars/slr_specifications.htm
- ↑ http://auto.howstuffworks.com/mercedes-slr3.htm]
- ↑ Yahoo!Autos Comparison with Both Lamborghini Models
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ http://www.motoring.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3115731
- ↑ http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/10/mercedes-benz-slr-722-boosts-performance-honors-past/
- ↑ http://www.mclarenautomotive.com/cars/slr_722_specifications.htm
- ↑ Full Coverage: Ferrari Enzo Crash in Malibu wreckedexotics.com Accessed 6 April, 2006 (notation of it being impounded and him crashing another SLR near bottom of page)
- ↑ http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006220185,00.html
- ↑ http://cars.msn.co.uk/fun/celebrity/henry/
External links
- Mercedes UK SLR McLaren mini-site
- Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition
- More Pictures and information
- Supercars.net Detailed tabulated information and article
- Mercedes-Benz SLR 722 Edition High Resolution Images on media.mysan.de
- Mercedes-Benz Vision SLR specs from Carfolio.com
- Mercedes-McLaren SLR 722 GT officially launched
- McLaren Sport
- Fórum Mercedes-Benz Brasil
- Mercedes Ends SLR Production in 2009
- SPY VIDEO: Mercedes Set to Unveil Special Edition SLR Speedster
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