☰
conceptcarz.com
✕

2004 McLaren SLR

Legend and sophistication – these two hallmark characteristics of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren stand out immediately, and are the essence of the scintillating styling radiated by the new high-performance sports car, which is due to make its world debut in autumn 2003.

Legend and sophistication – this is the precept underpinning the Gran Turismo body design, as it takes the classical styling elements from the legendary SLR racing cars of the 1950s and blends them masterfully with the sophisticated, avantgarde design language of both the latest Mercedes passenger car models and of the modern-day Silver Arrows race cars which took the McLaren Mercedes team to Formula One World Championship glory. The design's concept therefore spans the divide between past and present, whilst at the same time showing the way forward for the sports car designs of tomorrow.

The new Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren bears witness to the tremendous expertise of Mercedes-Benz and of its Formula One ally, McLaren, when it comes to the development, design and manufacture of high-performance sports cars. Know-how and knowledge are blended into a harmonious whole, resulting not only in pioneering new features, stunning power development and sensational on-road performance, but also in extremely high levels of safety and suitability for day-to-day use.

Such a thorough grounding has given rise to a vehicle blessed with inimitable charisma, where legend and sophistication melt together in a thoroughly masterful Mercedes synthesis.

Twin-headlamp face, plus styling touches from the Silver Arrows Formula One car

It's the long, sweeping lines of the bonnet, the succinctly styled air gills in the wings, the eye-catching sidepipes, the compact tail and, last but by no means least, the gullwing doors which breathe life into the SLR legend. These design features first caused a sensation back in 1952, and have remained the hallmark of thoroughbred Mercedes sports cars ever since.

These and other styling elements rooted in the SLR tradition are harmonised smoothly with the latest Mercedes design traits: these include the distinctive "twin-headlamp face", which has been blazing a trail since it first appeared in 1995, and the fascinating interplay of soft contours and taut lines, a characteristic which runs through many of the models in the current Mercedes portfolio.

The bodystyling of the SLR is also modelled on the McLaren Mercedes Silver Arrows. The arrow-shaped nose, which encompasses the Mercedes star at the front and gives the bumper as a whole a bolder, more powerful look, stems from the championship-winning Formula One car, as does the twin-fin spoiler in the front bumper. Again, this is more than just an identifying design feature, as it is also crucial to the vehicle's aerodynamics and engine cooling.

Seen from the side, the eye is immediately caught by the flat, wedge-shaped form of the new high-performance supercar. This is created primarily by the long bonnet, the steeply raked front windscreen, the rearwards positioning of the passenger cockpit, the large wheels and the compact tail. Thanks to these proportions, the side profile lends further emphasis to the sense of forwards surge which courses through the new SLR.

The designers have incorporated a further SLR element in the form of the finned side air gills in the front wings, although they do far more than recall just the design of the legendary racing cars from 1955: today, as indeed back then, the side air outlets serve to ventilate the engine compartment. The designers have underlined their practical function by the use of sweeping lines which continue into the gullwing doors.

Unmistakable tail with exemplary aerodynamic qualities

The design of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren's tail end marks a breakaway from that of its legendary predecessor. Whereas the tail of the original racing cars sloped gradually downwards, the boot lid of the new Gran Turismo model continues straight backwards at the same high level. As well as increasing the luggage capacity, this also serves to reduce lift and aerodynamic drag, translating into enhanced roadholding ability. The new six-channel diffusor in the rear bumper also has an important role to play here.

An interior that fits like a glove and "Silver Arrow" leather in peerless quality

It is the very high levels of practicality and luxury that truly make the high-performance sportster's interior stand out. Individually padded bucket seats combine with a multifunction steering wheel with race-car-type buttons for manual gear selection and clearly arranged chronometer-style gauges to ensure that drivers can keep the SLR comfortably under control at all times, and that they have all the information they need conveniently at their fingertips.

High-grade materials set the interior tone: aluminium, carbon and supple "Silver Arrow" leather, which was specially developed for the new sports car and sets benchmark standards in terms of its quality and its material thickness.

by DaimlerChrysler -

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is one of the world's most fascinating sports cars. Following their credo that the best is just good enough for BRABUS the engineers and designers at BRABUS (www.brabus.com) have developed an exclusive sport program for the two-seater. It lets owners of the top-of-the-line Mercedes-Benz models further individualize their

vehicles.

BRABUS equips the SLR with a special self-locking differential. Its 40 percent locking rate

further optimizes the super sports car's traction and thus further improves acceleration.

In BRABUS Racing version with performance-improving fuel cooling, custom camshafts and an

open racing exhausts system maximum power output of the supercharged V8 engine increases

to 660 hp / 486 kW at 6,500 rpm. The exhaust system is not certified for use on public roads.

Thus equipped the SLR storms to 100 km/h from rest in just 3.6 seconds and reaches a top

speed of up to 340 km/h.

BRABUS further offers professional modifications to body, suspension and interior that further

amplify the sports talents of the SLR.

For further improved directional stability at high speeds the BRABUS designers developed a

new spoiler for the front air dam. The exposed-carbon aerodynamic-enhancement part reduces

lift on the front axle and adds another shot of racing looks. The rear diffuser is also made from

exposed carbon.

The multi-piece BRABUS Monoblock VI 20-inch light-alloy wheels with six double spokes

command immediate attention. The fully polished wheels in size 9.5Jx20 in front and in size

11.5Jx20 on the rear axle fill out the available space below the wheel arches perfectly.

BRABUS chose high-performance tires in sizes 255/30 ZR 20 and 305/25 ZR 20 as the optimal

solution. The conversion to the BRABUS 20-inch tire/wheel combination gives the Mercedes-

Benz SLR McLaren even more dynamic handling prowess.

BRABUS also adds new sporty and exclusive highlights in the interior. The company-own

upholstery shop created a BRABUS interior from an exclusive black and red combination of

leather and Alcantara, perfectly crafted down to the last detail. The waffle-design stitching of the

SLR leather floor is especially elaborate and it alone uses 7,800 meters of the finest thread.

For easier entering and exiting BRABUS manufactured a custom BRABUS sport steering wheel

with an ergonomically shaped rim that is flat on the bottom. For manual shifting of the SLR's

automatic transmission the BRABUS steering wheel features buttons integrated into the spokes.

The BRABUS interior designers developed precise-fit applications for dashboard, center

console and door panels, all made from exposed carbon. They extend the BRABUS exterior

carbon look into the interior.

The BRABUS super sports car sells for 600,000 Euros. Included in the price is the SLR's air-

freight shipment to anywhere in the world.

by Brabus

by

The new Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is an impressive testament to the competence and experience of Mercedes-Benz and our Formula 1 partner McLaren in the development and production of high-performance sports cars. The two-seater, with its striking swing-wing doors and styling elements borrowed from the Formula 1 Silver Arrows, builds on the legacy of the famous SLR race cars of the 1950s. Equipped with cutting-edge race car technology and ground-breaking new Mercedes developments, designed to ensure a high standard of safety and suitability for day-to-day use, the new SLR creates a distinctive image for itself as a 21st-century Gran Turismo – a thrilling synthesis of tradition and innovation.

The newly developed V8 supercharged engine delivers an output of 460 kW/626 hp and accelerates the sports car from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds. The top speed is approximately 334 km/h. The body of the new SLR, like those of the Mercedes-McLaren Formula 1 race cars, is made from carbon fibre composites – lightweight materials which demonstrate exemplary energy absorption, hence ensuring the highest standard of occupant protection. The SLR is the world's first series-produced car to have a front crash structure manufactured entirely from carbon fibres. Adaptive airbags, newly developed kneebags and sidebags, belt tensioners, high-performance ceramic brake discs and an automatically adaptive airbrake in the boot lid round off the range of safety equipment on board the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, setting new standards in this vehicle class.

Technology way ahead of its time and an abundance of power – these were the hall-marks of the legendary SLR race cars in which Fangio, Moss, Kling and other Mercedes drivers achieved spectacular victories in all of the major road races in 1955. The new SLR demonstrates the same characteristics, its groundbreaking technical innovations distinguishing it as the Mercedes-Benz among high-performance sports cars.

Two Longitudinal Members made from Carbon Fibre Composite

Absorb Energy in a Head-On Collision

The 21st-century Gran Turismo is made almost 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, and the carbon fibres, on impact, are characterised by four to five times higher energy absorption than steel or aluminium. Mercedes-Benz exploits these qualities by incorporating 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 defined head-on collision, leaving the passenger cell largely undamaged. It is also made entirely from carbon fibre composite and therefore offers a very safe survival zone in side-on or rear-end collisions too.

Mercedes-Benz has introduced new material technology to the manufacture of the brake discs too. They are made from fibre-reinforced ceramic and are characterised by high fade-resistance and a very long life. In collaboration with the electrohydraulic braking system, Sensotronic Brake Control (SMC™), they allow outstanding deceleration figures too, impressively underlining the motor racing heritage of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.

460-kW/626-hp V8 powerplant with Cutting-Edge Compressor Technology

In the interests of optimum dynamic handling and high stability on braking, the new Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren has a front mid-engined design. The high-performance V8 engine, mounted on a robust aluminium frame, is installed at a low level which allows a low centre of gravity for agile handling.

With its 5.5-litre displacement, the supercharged engine develops a peak output of 460 kW/626 hp and delivers its maximum torque of 780 Newtonmetres from 3250 rpm – a figure which remains constant across a broad engine speed range of up to 5000 rpm. This means that the SLR 8-cylinder is among the most powerful engines currently available in a series-produced roadgoing sports car. This high-performance 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. The top speed is 334 km/h.

Water-type charge-air cooling, dry sump lubrication and four metal catalytic converters are further special features of this powerful engine – an engine which already meets stringent EU 4 exhaust gas regulations which are not due to come into force until 2005.

The 5-speed automatic transmission, fitted as standard, is also designed for high performance. It allows the driver to choose between three programs with different shift characteristics. 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 this mode the driver can also select between three shift stages – 'Sport', 'SuperSport' and 'Race' – significantly shortening the shift times still further for an even sportier drive.

Aerodynamic Concept uses Expertise from the World of Formula 1

The body design of the Gran Turismo with the Mercedes star takes classical styling elements from the legendary SLR race cars of the 1950s and blends them masterfully with the sophisticated, avantgarde design language of both the latest Mercedes passenger car models and of the modern-day Silver Arrow race cars which took the McLaren Mercedes team to Formula 1 World Championship glory in 1998 and 1999. The design's concept, in other words, thrillingly spans the divide between past and present, whilst at the same time showing the way forward for the sports car designs of tomorrow.

In order to meet the highest of standards in terms of handling at top speed, directional stability and the cooling air requirements necessary for high-performance cars of this kind, Mercedes-Benz worked with McLaren on developing this model's superlative aerodynamics, ensuring exemplary roadholding plus the on-road safety standards typical of Mercedes. Following extensive wind-tunnel tests, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren was given a virtually smooth underbody with a special six-channel diffusor under the rear. Both features are familiar design principles from Formula 1. They ensure that the airflow beneath the vehicle is virtually unimpeded and that negative lift, or downforce, is produced at higher speeds. The distinctive sidepipes on each side of the vehicle are also the result of this high-performance sports car's aerodynamic underbody concept: a conventional exhaust gas system would have disrupted the smooth line of the underbody.

At the rear of the SLR an adaptive spoiler provides additional downforce. From a speed of 95 km/h, it automatically adopts a 10-degree position, increasing the contact pressure at the rear axle. The spoiler also doubles as an airbrake: when the driver brakes heavily, it rises to an angle of 65 degrees, not only ensuring increased aerodynamic drag but also shifting the aerodynamic centre further towards the rear. This lends the SLR excellent stability when braking from high speeds.

Functionality and Luxury Stylishly Combined

It is the very high levels of practicality and luxury that truly make the interior of the SLR stand out. Individually padded carbon-frame seats, a multifunction steering wheel with race-car-type buttons for manual gear selection, clearly arranged chronometer-style instruments and high-grade materials define the atmosphere inside the high-performance sports car.

Alongside carbon and aluminium, the Mercedes designers have used 'Silver Arrow' leather, specially developed for the SLR, which is available in the distinctive red of the legendary 1950s SLR race car.

by Mercedes-Benz

by