SLR McLaren (C199) Discussion on the SLR Coupe, Roadster and Sterling Moss Edition.

SLR/C199/R199/Z199: Bye Bye McLaren....Helloooooo HWA for next Benz Supercar

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Old May 31, 2007 | 10:25 AM
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Bye Bye McLaren....Helloooooo HWA for next Benz Supercar

For years, McLaren and Mercedes seemingly went together like peanut butter and jelly, but now HWA is stepping in to tune Mercedes' next supercar. The scribes over at Automotive News Europe say the separation stems from Mercedes' dissatisfaction with the performance of the SLR McLaren vs. its primary rivals. This comes as quite a shock since only a few months back, all signs pointed to Mercedes buying McLaren. It's not exactly as though McLaren and Mercedes are splitting up altogether, though, as it's been less than a month since a drop-dead gorgeous SLR McLaren drop-top was announced.

Power for the HWA-tuned supercar will come from a tweaked version of AMG's hand-built 6.2L engine, and if the SLR performance is less than satisfactory, expect HWA's effort to be flat-out ridiculous. Speaking of AMG, the new supercar will be badged as such to make it road-legal, but it will still be a full-blown HWA race-developed product. To make room for its latest project, HWA is tripling the size of its manufacturing facilities to 3,600 sq. ft. to the tune of €4.5 million.

We find it almost comical that McLaren's 3.5 second 0-60 time and 640hp aren't enough to suit the finicky folks in Stuttgart, but with Corvettes and Vipers on the way with the same power for a quarter of the price, Mercedes had to do something to raise the already ridiculously-high bar.
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Old Jun 2, 2007 | 12:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Jakpro1
For years, McLaren and Mercedes seemingly went together like peanut butter and jelly, but now HWA is stepping in to tune Mercedes' next supercar. The scribes over at Automotive News Europe say the separation stems from Mercedes' dissatisfaction with the performance of the SLR McLaren vs. its primary rivals. This comes as quite a shock since only a few months back, all signs pointed to Mercedes buying McLaren. It's not exactly as though McLaren and Mercedes are splitting up altogether, though, as it's been less than a month since a drop-dead gorgeous SLR McLaren drop-top was announced.

Power for the HWA-tuned supercar will come from a tweaked version of AMG's hand-built 6.2L engine, and if the SLR performance is less than satisfactory, expect HWA's effort to be flat-out ridiculous. Speaking of AMG, the new supercar will be badged as such to make it road-legal, but it will still be a full-blown HWA race-developed product. To make room for its latest project, HWA is tripling the size of its manufacturing facilities to 3,600 sq. ft. to the tune of €4.5 million.

We find it almost comical that McLaren's 3.5 second 0-60 time and 640hp aren't enough to suit the finicky folks in Stuttgart, but with Corvettes and Vipers on the way with the same power for a quarter of the price, Mercedes had to do something to raise the already ridiculously-high bar.
I think HWA is the in-house racing arm from AMG, I believe they handle the DTM cars.
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Old Jun 2, 2007 | 04:43 AM
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Originally Posted by Jakpro1
For years, McLaren and Mercedes seemingly went together like peanut butter and jelly, but now HWA is stepping in to tune Mercedes' next supercar. The scribes over at Automotive News Europe say the separation stems from Mercedes' dissatisfaction with the performance of the SLR McLaren vs. its primary rivals. This comes as quite a shock since only a few months back, all signs pointed to Mercedes buying McLaren. It's not exactly as though McLaren and Mercedes are splitting up altogether, though, as it's been less than a month since a drop-dead gorgeous SLR McLaren drop-top was announced.

Power for the HWA-tuned supercar will come from a tweaked version of AMG's hand-built 6.2L engine, and if the SLR performance is less than satisfactory, expect HWA's effort to be flat-out ridiculous. Speaking of AMG, the new supercar will be badged as such to make it road-legal, but it will still be a full-blown HWA race-developed product. To make room for its latest project, HWA is tripling the size of its manufacturing facilities to 3,600 sq. ft. to the tune of €4.5 million.

We find it almost comical that McLaren's 3.5 second 0-60 time and 640hp aren't enough to suit the finicky folks in Stuttgart, but with Corvettes and Vipers on the way with the same power for a quarter of the price, Mercedes had to do something to raise the already ridiculously-high bar.
Correct me if im wrong but the AMG car is front engined off a modified platform whereas the new Mac will be mid-engined from a new bespoke one. I think hey are totally different products aimed at different ends of the market despite similar power outputs.
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Old Jun 2, 2007 | 11:06 AM
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Originally Posted by ash-c32
... whereas the new Mac will be mid-engined from a new bespoke one.
"Bespoke" = "custom." Most members here are American, so you really should learn to speak English.
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Old Jun 3, 2007 | 12:47 AM
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I find it wierd that MB is "mad" at Mclaren that the SLR is not powerful enough. Isn't MB that provides the engine and Mclaren simply tinkered with the rest of the cars?
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Old Jun 3, 2007 | 02:14 AM
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Originally Posted by Ferri
I find it wierd that MB is "mad" at Mclaren that the SLR is not powerful enough. Isn't MB that provides the engine and Mclaren simply tinkered with the rest of the cars?
its more than powerfull enough, its just too ****in heavy.

mclaren wanted to build a proper sports car, then mercedes stepped in and told them what to do, they didnt like that much. i believe thas why gordon murray left
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Old Jun 22, 2007 | 06:57 PM
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As we begin to drool...we'll have to wait and see what is up Mercedes sleeve for the next supercar, this should be good.
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Old Jul 5, 2007 | 08:43 AM
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Good-Bye McLaren: Mercedes Partners With AMG on New SLC Supercar

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...cleId=121511#3
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Old Jul 5, 2007 | 05:03 PM
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A turbo 6.2L V8..... Sounds like fun!!!!
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Old Jul 10, 2007 | 03:55 AM
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I think the SLR is fast if you have watched the videos on you tube seems like it is just as fast as the carrera GT.

It is faster then the 599 GTB. Even round the track it has similar performances with the carrera GT.
On the video that is.
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