The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (C199 / R199 / Z199) is a grand tourer jointly developed by Mercedes-Benz and McLaren Automotive, built in Portsmouth and the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, Surrey, England and sold from 2003 to 2010. When the car was developed, German automotive manufacturer Mercedes-Benz owned 40 percent of the McLaren Group and the car was produced in conjunction between the two companies. SLR is an abbreviation for "Sport Leicht Rennsport" (Sport Light Racing), a homage to the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR which served as the car's inspiration. The car was offered in coupé, roadster and a limited edition speedster variants.
The SLR was succeeded by the SLS AMG in 2010.
Video Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
History
At the 1999 North American International Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz presented their Vision SLR concept, inspired both by the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé of 1955, which was a modified Mercedes-Benz W196S race car, and the design of closed-wheel Formula One cars, a field in which Mercedes had prior experience, providing engines for McLaren bodies. The car was presented as "Tomorrow Silver Arrow" in a clear reference to the Silver Arrows of the golden age of Mercedes in competition during the fifties. Later that year, during the Frankfurt Motor Show, a roadster version of the SLR concept was presented. The concept car was fitted with a 5.0-litre supercharged AMG V8 engine able to deliver 565 PS (416 kW; 557 hp) and 720 N?m (531 lb?ft) of torque at 4,000 rpm, mated with a 5-speed automatic gearbox with Touchshift control.
Wanting to bring the concept to production following its positive reception, Mercedes joined with their Formula One partner, McLaren, thus creating the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. The production version of the car was unveiled to the general public on 17 November 2003 featuring some minor design adjustments in respect of the initial design. The adjustments included like more complex vents on both sides of the car, a redesigned front with the three pointed star plunged in the nose and red tinted rear lights.
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren saw a production run of over six years. On 4 April 2008, Mercedes announced it would discontinue the SLR. The last of the coupés rolled off the production line at the end of 2009 and the roadster version was dropped in early 2010. Due to the automatic gear box, front mid-engine arrangement, and its driving characteristics, some automotive journalists classify the SLR McLaren as a grand tourer, whose rivals would include vehicles such as the Aston Martin DBS V12 and the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano.
Maps Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
Technical highlights
Brakes
The SLR features Sensotronic Brake Control, a type of brake-by-wire system. The brake discs are carbon-ceramic and provide better stopping power and fade resistance than steel discs when operating under ideal working temperature. Mercedes-Benz claims these discs are fade resistant to 1,200 °C (2,200 °F). The front discs are internally vented and 370 mm (15 in) diameter eight-piston callipers are used. Rear discs are 360 mm (14 in) in diameter with four-piston callipers. During wet conditions the callipers automatically skim the surface of the discs to keep them dry.
Aerodynamics
The SLR features active aerodynamics; there is a spoiler mounted on the rear integral air brake flap. The spoiler increases downforce depending on its angle of elevation (angle of attack). At a set speed, the spoiler/brake automatically raises to 10 degrees (15 degrees in the 722 edition), when demanded via the driver's switch, the elevation can be increased to 30 degrees (35 degrees in the 722 edition) for increased rear downforce, at the cost of increased steady state drag. The car had a flat underbody and a rear diffuser for improved downforce. Due to this, there was no other place for the exhaust pipes to exit, other than the sides of the car, making it another unique feature of the SLR.
Engine
The SLR sports a 232 kg (511 lb) hand-built 5,439 cc (5.439 L; 331.9 cu in), supercharged, all-aluminium, SOHC, V8 engine. The cylinders are angled at 90 degrees with three valves per cylinder and lubricated via a dry sump system. The compression ratio is 8.8:1 and the bore and stroke is 97 mm × 92 mm (3.8 in × 3.6 in). The Lysholm-type twin-screw supercharger rotates at a maximum of 23,000 rpm and produces 0.9 bar (13 psi) of boost. The compressed air is then cooled via two intercoolers. The engine generates a maximum power output of 626 PS (460 kW; 617 hp) at 6,500 rpm and maximum torque of 780 N?m (580 lb?ft) at 3,250 to 5,000 rpm.
The engine is front-mid mounted. McLaren took the original concept car designed by Mercedes and moved the engine 1 metre (39.4 in) behind the front bumper, and around 50 centimetres (19.7 in) behind the front axle. They also optimised the design of the centre firewall.
Transmission
The SLR uses AMG SPEEDSHIFT R five-speed automatic transmission with three manual modes. For durability Mercedes selected a five-speed transmission rather than their seven-speed gearbox which was more complex and used more parts.
Performance
The car uses carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) construction in an attempt to keep the weight low. Despite CFRP materials the total curb weight is 1,750 kg (3,858 lb). The SLR could attain a top speed of 334 km/h (208 mph).
Car and Driver achieved a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) acceleration time of 3.4 seconds, and a quarter-mile time of 11.2 seconds at 130 mph (210 km/h) C&D suggested that the times may be even lower if temperatures were lower. Motor Trend tested the SLR and achieved a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 3.3 seconds in April 2006. Car and Driver achieved top gear acceleration 30-50 mph (48-80 km/h) and 50-70 mph (80-113 km/h) 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 1.13 g on the skidpad.
Road and Track tested the car in their July 2005 Road Test and reached 60 mph (97 km/h) from a standstill in 3.5 seconds. The 0 to 100 mph (160 km/h) sprint was achieved in 7.5 seconds and a quarter mile run was completed in 11.5 seconds at 126 mph (203 km/h).
Variants
722 Edition
A new version was introduced in 2006, called the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 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" includes an engine rated 650 PS (480 kW; 640 hp) at 6,500 rpm and 820 N?m (600 lb?ft) at 4,000 rpm. 19-inch light-alloy wheels were used to reduce unsprung mass, while modifications were also made to the suspension, with a stiffer damper setup and 10 mm (0.39 in) lower ride height introduced for improved handling. Larger 390 mm (15 in) diameter front brakes and a revised front air dam and rear diffuser were fitted.
Other exterior changes include red "722" badging, harking back to the original 722 racer, and black tinted tail lights and headlamps. The interior features carbon fibre trim and black leather along with alcantara bits.
The SLR 722 can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.6 seconds, 0 to 200 km/h (124 mph) in 10.2 seconds and 300 km/h (186 mph) in 27.6 seconds, and can attain a top speed of 337 km/h (209 mph), faster than the standard Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.
Roadster
A roadster version of the SLR went on sale in September 2007. It uses the same supercharged AMG V8 power plant as its coupé sibling, developing 626 PS (460 kW; 617 hp), to propel it to a top speed of 334 km/h (208 mph) and a 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration time of 3.6 seconds.
However, as a convertible, the roadster was burdened with extra weight, which affected performance and handling. The Roadster's roof is made from a "newly developed material" and does not take the form of a folding metal arrangement, as is common on many modern cars. Following a manual unlatching, it takes ten seconds to fold away electrically. According to an official Mercedes document, the cabin of the roadster is capable of allowing conversation between driver and passenger up to a speed of 200 km/h (120 mph) with the roof retracted. This roadster was aimed to compete against other luxurious sports cars such as the Pagani Zonda F Roadster.
Roadster 722 S (2009)
The Roadster variant of the 722 Edition was unveiled at the 2008 Frankfurt Motor Show. The roadster featured the same engine and suspension setup aa the coupé along with the folding roof mechanism from the standard SLR roadster. It can accelerate from 100 km/h (62 mph) from standstill in 3.1 seconds and has top speed of 334 km/h (208 mph). The model went on sale in January 2009 and production was limited to 150 units.
722 GT (2007)
The 722 GT is a racing version of the SLR 722 which was developed for a one-make racing series called the SLR Club. The cars were built by Ray Mallock Ltd. following requests from enthisiasts with approval from Mercedes-Benz. The car features new wider bodywork to accommodate 18 in (457 mm) OZ racing wheels. The front grill vents are removed and larger, free flowing air extractors sit on the hood and flank the side of the car. The rear now has a fixed racing wing and diffuser.
Under the body, the car has shed 398 kg (877 lb) of weight and reduced its dry weight to 1,300 kg (2,866 lb). The engine remains in relatively stock specification but now produces 680 PS (500 kW; 670 hp) and 868 N?m (640 lb?ft) at 1.75 bar (175 kPa) of boost and is equipped with a new racing filter and exhaust system. The car features a modified Eibach racing suspension with a modified stabiliser at the front that improves handling while an adjustable wheel camber along with shock absorbers with variable compression and rebound settings alows the suspension setup to be configured for different race tracks. New 18-inch OZ racing wheels with central locking nuts allow for faster tyre changes while a pneumatic jack system aids further in the process. The stock carbon ceramic braking system has been replaced with an FIA approved racing brake system with steel brake discs featuring a modified cooling system and balance that ensure improved stopping power. The transmission from the standard car is retained but is now configured for race use.
Inside, the car is stripped out with only the essential functions being available, controlled from a carbon fibre binnacle. The stock steering wheel has been replaced with a racing steering wheel with paddleshifters and a gear change indicator, the heated leather seats have also been removed in favour of Recaro racing bucket seats with six-point racing harness and the gauges have been replaced with a digital racing display. New carbon fibre door panels, plexiglass windows and a full roll cage complete the transformation. Production was limited to just 21 units.
The 722 GT could accelerate from 0-97 km/h (0-60 mph) in 3.3 seconds and could attain a top speed of 315 km/h (196 mph), which is less than the standard SLR due to added aerodynamic drag.
Renntech announced that the SLR McLaren 722 GT would be available to the North American market exclusively through their dealerships.
Stirling Moss (2009)
Named after the British racing driver of the same name, the SLR Stirling Moss is a limited edition (75 vehicles) variant unveiled at the 2009 NAIAS, which uses a speedster styling that does not include a roof or a windscreen. The car is designed by Korean designer Yoon Il-hun and is inspired by the 300 SLR race car. The interior was designed by Dutch designer Sarkis Benliyan. The SLR Stirling Moss was to be the last series of the McLaren SLR built under the partnership between Mercedes-Benz and McLaren, until McLaren announced their own final edition of the SLR in late 2010.
The supercharged 5.4-litre SLR AMG V8 engine is uprated at 650 PS (480 kW; 640 hp). The SLR Stirling Moss could attain a top speed of 350 km/h (220 mph) with acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h achieved in less than 3.5 seconds. The car is approximately 200 kg (440 lb) lighter than the regular model due to carbon fibre construction and speedster styling.
The SLR Stirling Moss began production in June 2009, after the SLR Roadster was discontinued in May 2009. All 75 cars were produced by December 2009. The SLR Stirling Moss was available only to the existing SLR owners and each car cost US$1 million.
McLaren Edition (2011-2013)
In December 2010, more than a year after the SLR was officially discontinued, McLaren Special Operations (MSO) announced a bespoke program for the SLR. The McLaren Edition is based on all variants of the SLR with the exclusion of Stirling Moss and includes revised bodywork (front and rear bumper, grille, top shell, side grills, rear diffuser, wheels) and interior parts, along with upgraded steering and suspension components and a new titanium sports exhaust. The cars were modified exactly to the owner's specifications and due to this no car was similar to the other. The personalisation cost GB£150,000 and was offered for only 25 cars.
Sales
Total sales were 615 units in 2005, 261 units in 2006, and 275 units in 2007, falling well below Mercedes-McLaren's goal of selling 500 units annually.
When the SLR was first announced, Mercedes said total production would be limited to 3,500 units. 1,400 units had been sold by the end of 2007. The factory confirmed that production would halt at the end of 2009.
A total of 2,157 cars were produced.
Motorsports
Spencer Pumpelly entered an SLR McLaren in the Speed World Challenge GT class, driving for TRG Motorsports.
See also
- Mercedes-Benz W196
- Mercedes-Benz 300SL
- Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR
- Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
References
Notes
External links
Media related to Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren at Wikimedia Commons
- Mercedes SLR AMG Overview
- McLaren Mercedes-Benz SLR pages: SLR coupé, SLR Roadster, SLR 722 coupé, Roadster 722 S
Source of article : Wikipedia
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